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Health & Fitness

Ocean Institute Plays Role as Local Art Gallery

Art exhibits find a home at the Ocean Institute. Take advantage of the "gallery" experience on your next visit.

When you think of the Ocean Institute, what is the first thing that comes to mind? Ocean education.  Do you ever think art gallery?

The Ocean Institute’s immersive science-based programs for kids 5 through 17 draw school classes from all of Southern California in addition to local schools in Dana Point, Laguna Beach, San Clemente, Mission Viejo, San Juan Capistrano, Laguna Niguel, Aliso Viejo, Lake Forest, Newport Beach and Rancho Santa Margarita.

The art may come as more of a surprise—a secret treasure.

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It’s worth a weekend visit to see local artists displayed in the Samueli Conference Center. Among artists that have shown works in the 3,000 sq. ft. center include Sharyn Evert of San Clemente and various artists from the Pageant of the Masters.  The rotating exhibits run for two to three months each.

Now on exhibit

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The current art display features two Ocean Institute employees—Linda Blanchard, Director of Lab Programs and Volunteers and Julianne Steers, Director of Husbandry.  Catch the amazing undersea photographs by May 3 on weekends—Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The inspirational approach Blanchard brings to her 30 years of teaching students at the Ocean Institute is translated to her undersea photographs.  She has captured underwater images most of the years since her scuba certification in 1975.

She first focused her underwater “snap shots” in her dives in the United States, but she expanded her photography to Bahamas, Grand Cayman, Curacao, Puerto Rico, La Paz, Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia.

And, yes, she has been known to use a fisheye lens (Tokina 10-17).

Steers, an Aliso Viejo resident, makes no secret of her love and curiosity of the ocean, which she traces back to childhood. She has managed the live teaching collection at the Institute since October 2003.

Her childhood association with the water led to her scuba certification in 1996.  How much more natural could it get?  Scuba and a degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Arizona combined to fuel her exploration of the undersea world. 

She dives off the California shores. Her photographs capture her keen
affinity with the sea and its creatures. 

Artists exhibits are selected by Renee Strong at the Ocean Institute 949-496-2274, ext. 328.  Art on exhibit is available for purchase by contacting the artists
directly (lblandchard@ocean-institute.com or jsteers@ocean-institute.org )

Weekend admission is $6.50 for adults and $4.50 for children.  Members are free.  Information: 949-496-2274.

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