Make a few trash decisions
Priscilla the Parrot Fish, Flash the Blue Marlin and Gertrude the Penguin are already the talk of the town, attracting thousands of visitors to the west lawn of the Lincoln City Cultural Center. Now, the 19 remarkable marine debris sculptures in the touring exhibit “Washed Ashore: Art to Save the Sea” will do more to encourage people to tackle the tide of plastic pollution through a series of free events in February and March.
“We’d like to thank all the generous foundations, agencies and businesses that stepped forward last summer, as well as all the people who have donated since Washed Ashore arrived,” said cultural center Executive Director Niki Price. “They’ve started a real community effort that we hope will have a lasting impact.”
The nonprofit Washed Ashore project was founded in 2010 by artist Angela Haseltine Pozzi, using debris she collected from the beaches in Bandon. The sculptures have traveled all over the country, from the Shedd Aquarium and the Smithsonian Institution to the San Francisco Zoo and SeaWorld Orlando. Everywhere they go, these engaging creatures graphically illustrate the tragedy of plastic pollution in our ocean and waterways.
In addition to Priscilla, Flash and Gertrude, the outdoor exhibit includes Chompers the Shark, Stanley the Sturgeon and the American Sea Star. Inside the auditorium, visitors will find nine-foot-long Leo Jelly and a “bloom” of smaller jellies, Giacometti the River Otter and a variety of wall mosaics and informational panels.
Among the favorite indoor displays is the wall of floats, ropes, plastic items and debris, all of which was collected by a Lincoln City resident during a single month in 2021. The work is combined with scientifically based signage to teach children and adults about ocean stewardship, responsible consumer habits and how “every action counts” to help save the sea.
The outdoor exhibit is open from dawn to dusk daily, while the indoor exhibit is available for viewing during the center’s open hours. The exhibit is scheduled to remain in place through March 13.
Visit the Washed A-Store for t-shirts, sweatshirts, water bottles, reusable silverware and posters, with proceeds from the sale of these environmentally-friendly souvenirs supporting both the cultural center and Washed Ashore organizations.
Beginning Feb. 1 and continuing until Washed Ashore moves on, cultural center staff are leading guided tours of the exhibit for students in grades K-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 schedule a field trip, call Krista Eddy at 541-994-9994.
The Lincoln City Cultural Center is located at 540 NE Hwy. 101, and is open from 10 am to 4 pm Thursday through Monday. For more information, go to lincolncity-culturalcenter.org or call 541-994-9994.
Meet the Author
Sunday, Feb. 13, 4 pm.
Oregon Legacy Series presents Allison Cobb, author of "Plastic: An Autobiography" and a writer for the Environmental Defense Fund.
Swimming Upstream:
Saturday, Feb. 26, 2 to 5 pm.
Hear a range of speakers on the topic of how to address plastic pollution, browse the information stations, contribute to the hands-on plastics art project.
What Should Be Washing Ashore
Saturday, March 5, 11 am to 2 pm
Learn about ocean currents and biodiversity and explore how you as a casual beachcomber with a smartphone can help climate scientists better understand the ocean environment through the WRACK LINE Project. Presented with the Cascade Head Biosphere Collaborative.