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Anchorage, Alaska, United States

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Celebrating World Oceans Day 2011 in Seward

Seward Artist, Dot Bardarson introducing the Homer-based artist Brad Hughes' powerful Sculpture "Salmon"

In 2008, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution to formally establish June 8th as World Oceans Day. Last year we held a small staff BBQ to mark the day, but, given the significance of oceans to Alaska, we began to plan a much bigger event this year!
Juneau-based Artist Lisa Ricky unveiling her kinetic creation "Bull Kelp"

That planning began with a Statewide art contest in 2010 that led to the commissioning of two sculptures. The Art Jury for that contest comprised Dot Bardarson (ASLC Community Relations Board member + Seward Artist), Christy Terry (former City Community Development Director), Annette Bellamy (Alaska Artist – Halibut Cove, Justine Pechusal (Seward Community & Mural Artist), Joseph Abegg (Livingston Slone, AIA, Associate), Howard Ferren (ASLC Director of Conservation), Steve Carrick (former ASLC Director of Operations and Facilities) and Laura Tauke (former ASLC Graphic Designer). Both sculptures were installed on June 6th after much great work by our facilities team and now occupy prominent knolls outside the front door of the Center. They have already received much critical acclaim and form a stunning addition to the ocean art precinct now developing in the downtown area!


Tyson Fick from the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute with ASLC CEO Ian Dutton (l) and ASLC Board Chair Steve Grabacki (r) opening the new seafood exhibit.

We then opened two new exhibits inside the Center. The new Alaska Sustainable Seafood exhibit supported by the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute provides a stunning reminder of just how important seafood is to the State economy and provides visitors with information on how to make wise seafood choices.


Seward Mayor, Willard Dunham congratulating Bret Chambers from BP Alaska on the opening of the new North to the Future Theater.
The second exhibit is the new “North to the Future Theater” sponsored by BP Alaska. Located on the lower level at the end of the visitor path, the theater provides an opportunity to learn about the US Arctic, the changes being experienced there and some of the science work underway to better understand Arctic resources.

The final part of the evening's program was our first great culinary challenge – an amazing array of appetizers courtesy of talented local chefs Monica Cooper (Alaskan Dermish Deserts), Kevin Lane (AVTEC), Erik Slater (Resurrection Roadhouse). Kevin’s creations were voted most popular by participants in a photo-finish and he received a prize donated by the Inn at Tern Lake.
However, the real winners on the evening were our 80 guests who not only got to learn a little more about Alaska’s oceans, but also had fun being serenaded by Marian Call (http://www.mariancall.com/), the incredibly talented Alaskan singer and song writer.
Mark your calendars – we have already begun planning for World Oceans Day on June 8th, 2012… and June 8th, 2013 and…. You get the idea!

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