The Unseen Ocean - Mini Exhibition

The Unseen Ocean, Mini Exhibition will be held during the Ocean Institute’s Sharks After Dark event from August 14th to 15th. Previously, this event has hosted over 5,000+ visitors, so we are very excited for the opportunity.

This is a closed Open Call, meaning this invitation is going out to you, the artists, via Moku, YOI, and DOSI.

Theme: The Unseen Ocean was chosen with the idea to invite the audience to witness and feel the unknown of the ocean, whether that is the ocean itself, the deep-sea, an interesting ocean creature, the human-ocean relationship, ancestral knowledge, research topic, or experience. As an artist, feel free to interpret the theme, but as always, keep the idea of ocean conservation, protection, and education in mind.

Artwork Specifications

Each artwork will be displayed on the wall, accompanied by a 2.5 by 4 inches info card mounted directly underneath it. Below is a visual reference of how your work will appear to visitors, followed by exact specifications for your submission.

The Venue

  • Maximum Artwork Size: your piece must be no larger than 8 × 10 inches. Smaller sizes are welcome.

  • Info card size: 2.5 × 4 inches. Feel free to design your card or keep it simple, like in the example.

  • Information: The name of the artwork, your name, date, medium, and size. The country you are from, so we can show our diversity. A short sentence of what inspired you and a link to your website.

  • QR code required: link to more information you would like the audience to know, for example, research about your inspiration, other existing projects about the topic, etc. This is where we connect more science resources to the audience if they want to learn more.

The mini exhibition will take place at the Ocean Institute in Dana Point, from August 14th to 15th. Due to their walls being wood, we have to be careful how we attach the work. Paper unmounted artwork will be attached with small square mounts.

“The Ocean Institute, founded in 1977, is a community-based 501(c)(3) organization that educates 100,000 children, teachers, parents, and visitors annually through over 60 marine science and maritime history programs. We are located on 2.4 acres in the Dana Point Harbor; adjacent to a Marine Protected Area. The facility is an ocean education center that offers in-depth marine science and maritime history programs.

The Institute includes state-of-the-art teaching labs, the spectacular Maddie James Seaside Learning Center, a historic tall ship, and an oceanographic research vessel. Immersion-based field trips range from one-hour science labs to multi-day programs at sea. All programs are designed to maximize immersion, spark curiosity, and inspire a deep commitment to learning.”