Haven’t seen Washed Ashore yet? It’s high tide you did
The stunning sculptures made from the ugly side of our consumer culture have brought thousands of people to the Lincoln City Cultural Center since the traveling exhibit landed there last year.
The time to say goodbye is approaching, as the colorful creatures have a date elsewhere. The last chance to visit Pricilla the Parrotfish and her fantastic plastic friends is March 13.
But before the sculptures weigh anchor and sail away, community members and organizations are gathering at the center to present a few free events that will leave you with a lasting impression.
Swimming Upstream
If you’re concerned about plastics pollution, especially in the ocean and on our beaches, join others who are “Swimming Upstream,” on Friday, Feb. 26 under the Washed Ashore Sea Jelly Bloom in the cultural center’s auditorium.
This drop-in, all-ages forum will offer practical information from nonprofit groups who are already working on this issue, like Surfrider International, the Lincoln City Sustainability Committee, SOLVE, Oregon Coast Aquarium, Oregon State Parks and the Oregon Coast Visitors Association.
Swimming Upstream speaker schedule
(With some allowances made for legislators who may be called to Salem.)
2 to 3 pm
Brad Parks, conservation education director, Washed Ashore
Grace Doleshel, youth programs coordinator, Oregon Coast Aquarium
Arica Sears, deputy director of Oregon Coast Visitors Association
3 to 4 pm
State Rep. Dave Gomberg (D-District 10)
Susanne Brander, Ph.D, assistant professor, OSU Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Sciences Dept.
State Sen. Dick Anderson (R-District 5)
4 to 5 pm
Ryan Parker, beach and trail ranger, Oregon State Parks
Jaclyn Sisto-Lopez, community engagement manager, SOLVE
Michael Edwards, freelance writer
Washed Ashore, the arts and environment nonprofit based in Bandon, will bring a hands-on art project using plastic marine debris. Participants will make plastic “kebabs” that will make their way into the next Washed Ashore sculpture, a Tiger Rockfish.
Guests can nosh a variety of donated snacks, including fruit from Trillium Natural Foods, taffy from Ainslee’s Candy Shop, snacks from Oceana Natural Foods Co-op and coffee from The Green Salmon in Yachats.
Also provided will be fresh Crow Hop bagels and freshly made schmears, along with water and tea.
Members of the public are encouraged to drop in to consider the petitions, brochures and other ways to advocate.
What Should Be Washing Ashore
The Cascade Head Biosphere Collaborative and their partners in the 4CAST (Coastal Climate Change + Community Art, Science, and Tradition) Project are encouraging the community to think about “What Should Be Washing Ashore” by kicking off a new community science initiative on Saturday, March 5.
The WRACK LINE project will see volunteers use a smartphone app to easily identify and document what marine species are washing ashore in the UNESCO Cascade Head Biosphere Reserve throughout the year.
The event will include science presentations on ocean currents, marine biology and the increasing knowledge about how microplastics are affecting ocean life.
There will also be an opportunity for the public to make their own nature print or gyotaku, and to see behind the scenes the development of a new permanent art piece that will reside at the cultural center.
Through tabletop displays and chats with scientists, artists and naturalists, the public will get a first-hand look at other 4CAST projects taking place at the sentinel research site that is the UNESCO Cascade Head Biosphere Reserve, including: The 4CAST Project — Studying 4 Habitats from Tree to Sea in the UNESCO Cascade Head Biosphere Reserve.
4CAST Project is a dynamic collaborative made up of state and federal agencies, institutions of higher learning and non-profits, that aims to understand how climate change is affecting our coastline and community through a collection of different projects and efforts.
The event is from 11 am to 2 pm. For more information, go to 4castproject.org.
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In addition to these very special events, the cultural center is continuing the
Washed Ashore Field Trips with hands-on art experiences, by appointment through March 13.
Cultural center staff and volunteers lead guided tours of the Washed Ashore exhibit for students in grades K through 12 and beyond. Whenever possible, students will also assemble components of a marine debris sculpture that will be permanently placed on the cultural center grounds. To inquire about a field trip for your group, call 541-994-9994.
While you’re at the center, don’t miss the exhibit of Washed Ashore artwork, arranged both inside and outside the cultural center grounds. Among the favorite indoor displays is the wall of floats, ropes, plastic items and debris, all of which was collected by a single Lincoln City resident during a single month in 2021.
The work is combined with scientifically based educational signage to teach children and adults about ocean stewardship, responsible consumer habits and how “every action counts” to help save the sea.
To attend any of the indoor events, everyone aged 12 and older must present proof of vaccination at the door or a negative clinic test taken within 72 hours of the event.
The Lincoln City Cultural Center is located at 540 NE Hwy. 101. For more information, go to lincolncity-culturalcenter.org or call 541-994-9994.