World Ocean Day falls on Saturday 8 June, the final day of Our Ocean, RBC’s summer exhibition. Glassmakers Roberta Mason and Neil Wilkin will be present to talk about their work from 6 - 8 pm. Roberta and Neil are evolving a sustainable and inspiring way of working and living on their smallholding in Wales, and volunteering with their local seagrass restoration project in Wales.
Dr. Tim Ferrero from the Solent Seagrass Restoration Project will also be speaking at the event, along with Alan Lovell, Chair of The Environment Agency.
Roberta Mason - Seagrass IV - VII (free blown, re-melted waste glass using a modified Venetian cane technique, hts. 25 & 20 cms, photos Stephen Heaton)
Seagrasses are flowering plants that live in the shallow, sheltered areas of our coast. These sensitive plants are different from seaweed and grow bright green leaves forming dense underwater meadows. These meadows are full of life, supporting thousands of marine species, producing oxygen, storing carbon, stabilising our coastlines and keeping our ocean clean and clear. Yet, they are globally threatened and are facing significant loss around the world. (Project Seagrass)
Project Seagrass’s Solent Fieldwork Officer, Rebekah Noakes, says, ”Project Seagrass is thrilled to be attending Our Ocean. We are conserving and restoring seagrass through Community, Research and Action. It's events like Our Ocean that, through art, help inspire the community and showcase the beauty of our seagrass ecosystems. We provide schools with science-backed, easy-to-understand educational materials and resources with accessible information on the world’s seagrass meadows, what they are, why they are so important and what we can do to help save them.”
Drinks and substantial canapés, made by chef Dominique Göltinger with sustainably-sourced ingredients, will be available. Tickets are £20 each - profits will be donated to Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust’s Solent Seagrass Restoration Project
Our Ocean opens at RBC on Saturday 11 May. Exhibiting artists will, through their work, convey the beauty of the natural world, encouraging us to value, protect and nurture it.
Neil Wilkin - Vessel (free blown, ht. 40 cms, re-melted waste glass, photo Stephen Heaton)
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