Programs:
Blue Ocean & The Arts
The influence of poetry, art, music and dance in society should not be underestimated. Indeed, enlightenment is the highest purpose for literature and the fine arts. Engaging in the arts—as an observer or participant—helps people find a way to articulate their feelings about what is happening internally and around them. The environmental movement in particular has always been inspired by, guided, and kept moving by literature and art.
Each year Blue Ocean hears from artists whose work is inspired by the ocean–filmmakers, dancers, sculptors, painters and musicians. We pick one or two strategic collaborations yearly to inspire interest in ocean environments and inhabitants.
Our most consistent artistic effort, year after year, is Sea Stories.
Seastories.org is Blue Ocean Institute’s quarterly online journal of international ocean writing and art. Its mission is to nurture curiosity, creativity and concern about the world’s oceans through literary and artistic expression. In 2011 Sea Stories published memoirs, poetry, descriptive prose and imaginative nonfiction, as well as photographs, drawings and other visual arts. In addition to publishing compelling work, the site offers ideas for educators and organizations. Sea Stories is edited by Casey R. Schulke, Alaska resident and poet, as well as K.R. Copeland, a widely published Chicago poet and poetry journal editor.
Recent Artistic Collaborations
Each year we are approached by many artists—filmmakers, dancers, painters, photographers and musicians. We pick one or two strategic collaborations yearly to inspire interest in the ocean and to build new audiences for our work.
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