The Giant Ocean Coloring Book: Featured Exhibit

The Giant Ocean Coloring Book, on display at the Seymour Marine Discovery Center.

The Giant Ocean Coloring Book, on display at the Seymour Marine Discovery Center.

Northern Elephant Seal

Northern Elephant Seal

If you’ve ever wanted to dive deep into a coloring book, now’s your chance to take the plunge. The Seymour Marine Discovery Center is currently presenting an exhibit of work by artist Peter Winch, who has created a unique hand painted and stenciled set of California ocean animal illustrations that are part of his upcoming coloring book for adults – The Giant Ocean Coloring Book.

The artwork compliments the Exhibit halls activities and displays.

The artwork compliments the Exhibit halls activities and displays.

The Giant Ocean Coloring Book exhibit features large, black and white marine artwork displayed throughout the Seymour Marine Discovery Center’s Exhibit Hall. The Seymour Center is a component of the world-renowned Long Marine Laboratory and part of the Institute of Marine Sciences at UC Santa Cruz. The University established the Seymour Center to educate visitors about marine scientists and research, and the understanding and conservation of oceans in Santa Cruz and around the world. Unlike other traditional aquariums, the 20,000-square-foot visitor center encourages visitors to go behind the scenes to learn more about the latest discoveries in scientific research, and experience hands-on immersion into the world of ocean exploration.

The artwork has information about each featured ocean animal.

The artwork has information about each featured ocean animal.

Guests can learn about marine plant and animal life, engage with tidepools, observe how ocean scientists work, and tour the coastal campus with stunning views of the Monterey Bay. To further promote ocean education, the Seymour Center also plans to install 4-5 rotating annual exhibits that will blend art and science and be designed by Curator Jeff Northam. The Giant Ocean Coloring Book exhibit highlights 15 different ocean species from Peter Winch’s series. The framed artwork has been installed throughout the aquarium gallery, and includes details about each featured animal, as well as information about Winch and his artistic approach.

Peter Winch with some of his illustrations.

Peter Winch with some of his illustrations.

The book is the latest creative project by Winch, who is also a biologist, educator, and environmentalist based in California. He has a background in environmental science and conservation, including working with the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. He has worked as an education specialist for the Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary in San Francisco since 2006, and has lead naturalist tours for Oceanic Society Expeditions for 10 years. Winch is a self-taught artist who shares his passion for nature and conservation through his various mediums, including painting, stenciling, photography, and film. He sits on the International San Francisco Ocean Film Festival, and his two short Marine Biology films have been shown at film festivals.

Winch hopes to inspire passion and protection for marine life through the artistic practice of learning about ocean creatures. 1:00 – 2:30 pm Sunday, November 20th, 2016, Winch will present a supporting lecture and workshop as one of the Seymour Center’s Science Sunday presentations. Winch will share a slide show of photographs he has taken around the world as a naturalist and used as sources for his artwork. Following the lecture, he will give a hands-on demonstration of his creative process. Copies of his coloring book are available for visitors of all ages in the Ocean Discovery Shop, with signed copies of his book and note cards available for purchase at the Science Sunday lecture.

The Giant Ocean Coloring Book is on display September 20 – November 27, 2016.

Find out more about the Seymour Marine Discovery Center and the upcoming Science Sunday lecture here.

To view more of Peter Winch’s work, visit the artist’s website.

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