July is the last chance to catch the Whales Are Superheroes! exhibit at the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum (SBMM). The display is about the diversity of whales in the sea and the role they play in ocean ecology.
The multipart presentation — which includes paintings and drawings of whales and other sea creatures by professional artists and schoolchildren, as well as an immersive experience that allows visitors to explore a whimsical underwater environment — closes July 31.
A selection of artwork, texts, drone footage, and creative graphics from the show will remain on permanent view in the museum’s main galleries.
“We undertook this uplifting project as part of an alliance made with other museums focused on creating conversation about climate change,” said Greg Gorga, Maritime Museum executive director. “We are lucky to have whales in our channel year-round, and they’re a critical part of our changing ecosystem.”
Individual presentations on view as part of Whales Are Superheroes! through July 31 are:
The Wonder of Whales: Two Artists’ Perspectives — Curated by SBMM, the art exhibit showcases a selection of recent works on paper and paintings of whales in a variety of media by Santa Barbara–based artists John Barran and Kelly Clause.
A Whale of a Tale — SBMM invited K-sixth grade students to learn about whales, then create their own artworks celebrating whales and other marine creatures, such as sea horses, sharks and dolphins. Life-size reproductions of the artworks were installed in the museum’s theater amid dramatic lighting and a soundtrack of whale songs to create a multisensory undersea experience.
Whales Are Superheroes! Saving the Planet One CO2 Molecule at a Time — A selection of children’s drawings of whales and ocean-related artwork, produced in museum-led educational workshops, offer a diverse lens on the species and its habitats.
“These nearly 200 pieces highlight the talents of students across Santa Barbara County,” Gorga said. “Thanks to our close relationship to dozens of schools, our education staff are inspiring youth to love and care for our oceans.”
The Santa Barbara Maritime Museum thanks donors for sponsoring the programs and exhibitions:
A Whale of a Tale: Chevron, Dreier Family, Emmett Foundation, Hank and Mary Mitchel, Jack Mithun and Mercedes Millington
Whales Are Superheroes! Saving the Planet One CO2 Molecule at a Time: Brown Family Foundation, Chevron, Dreier Family, Emmett Foundation, Hank and Mari Mitchel, Jack Mithun and Mercedes Millington, June G. Outhwaite Foundation, and the Wood-Claeyssens Foundation.
The Wonder of Whales: Two Artists’ Perspectives: Chevron, Dreier Family, Emmett Foundation, Mimi Michaelis, Hank and Mari Mitchel, June G. Outhwaite Foundation, and the Wood-Claeyssens Foundation
Whales Are Superheroes (permanent exhibition) Chevron, Dreier Family, Emmett Foundation, Nancy and Frederic Golden, George H. and Olive J. Griffiths Charitable Foundation, Hank and Mari Mitchel, June G. Outhwaite Foundation, Alice Tweed Tuohy Foundation, Donna Weinstein, and the Wood-Claeyssens Foundation.
SBMM is at 113 Harbor Way, Ste. 190, Santa Barbara. Visit sbmm.org or call 805-962-8404 for details.