‘Coastal Pollution: A Whale of a Problem’ this Friday

San Diego Coastkeeper will be hosting a nautical themed art show at their headquarters in Liberty Station Friday, July 1st.  “Coastal Pollution: A Whale of a Problem” will showcase three local artists whose work is inspired by the ocean and its inhabitants.

Lil’ Gray, a life-sized gray whale made of ocean debris will become a permanent installation in the Coastkeeper office.  The whale was designed by Theresa Espaniola, a local artist who uses found objects to create her “gARTbage.” She makes dioramas and installations with trash she finds on the beach to promote awareness about the problem of coastal pollution.

The project is part of Coastkeeper’s ongoing efforts to raise awareness about coastal pollution, and in particular plastics, which do not decompose and are a threat to wildlife which often mistake it for food.

To make Lil’ Gray, Espaniola constructed a 26-foot whale using six separate canvases and debris that 130 first-graders from Jefferson Elementary School in Carlsbad collected from the beach. The children were divided into six classes, each of which decorated one of the canvases with their findings.

Other artists that will be showing at the event include Myles McGuiness, a photographer based in Oceanside. His work focuses on the ocean and the people who devote their lives to celebrating and protecting it. He collaborated with Coastkeeper on their 2010 Annual Report and spearheaded the organization’s rebrand.

The third artist is Tony Peters, a painter based in Los Angeles, California. Peters draws inspiration from life in Southern California, sometimes idyllic and always eclectic. His oil paintings are homage to the city and the beauty of simplicity. He will be displaying two pieces at the event.

“Coastal Pollution: A Whale of a Problem” will take place on Friday, July 1, 2011 from 5 -8 p.m. at the Coastkeeper office, 2825 Dewey Road, Suite 200, San Diego, CA 92106.

The event will be occurring in conjunction with Friday Night Liberty, a monthly event for which all of the shops and museums of Liberty Station are open to the public, so there will be plenty to see for environmentalists and art aficionados alike.

Founded in 1995, San Diego Coastkeeper protects the region’s inland and coastal waters for the communities and wildlife that depend on them by blending education, community empowerment and advocacy.

For more information, go to http://www.sdcoastkeeper.org or call 619- 758-7743.