The light dances across the ocean’s surface. The dance is suddenly broken by a bottlenose dolphin jumping into the air.
The dolphin’s acrobatics stun as she plunges back into the water. Residents and visitors take a moment to look around the environment — thankful for being in the beautiful Florida Keys.
This summer, there is a little more art than usual in Islamorada. The art exhibit, “A Wave of Color: Promoting Ocean Conservation,” is inspired by the local waters and conservation. The exhibit is brought together by the Dolphins Plus Marine Mammal Responder (DPMMR) at their brand-new Whale and Dolphin Hospital, the Protect Center in Islamorada.
The exhibit features ocean-inspired works of art, conservation themed pieces and marine animal pieces. The artwork was created by over 20 well-known local and regional artists. DPMMR’s mission as a nonprofit organization is to connect and inspire people with marine mammals.
“The premise behind the new center is protecting whales, dolphins and our oceans,” said Hunter Kinney, DPMMR’s director of fundraising, marketing and development. “There are so many talented artists in the area collaborating with us to raise awareness for ocean conservation and the Protect Center while we navigate permitting and develop the actual facilities. The art show is the perfect opportunity to share with our community what’s coming while showcasing some amazing works of art.”
The Protect Center opened in May as a retail store and information center. DPMMR’s leadership is hopeful the art show will give locals and visitors a reason to stop in throughout the summer and see what the facility will be once complete. Once permitting is finalized, the Protect Center will house a 40-foot diameter pool to serve as an ICU for sick, injured and orphaned whales and dolphins, and other marine mammals in need, serving as the only cetacean rehabilitation center in the Keys and South Florida. While the facility will be a working veterinary hospital at its core, it will also serve as an education center complete with guided tours as well as a 3,000-square-foot museum themed around marine conservation.
When you go to the exhibition and see this fantastic art, you realize the talent of our local community, how much the artists care about our environment, and the appreciation these artists have for our beautiful natural home. The works of art are very different from each other — every artist has his or her own style — but all showcase “A Wave of Color.”
Oscar Wilde wrote in an essay that “life imitates art far more than art imitates life.” Hopefully, this art shows a path to help our community and the DPMMR can do their thing and help.
Some of the artists are Pasta Pantaleo, Lisa Lee, Jul Jankowski, Sue Jankowski, Osvaldo Fernandez, Jason Barth, myself (William DePaula), Penny Hart and Felipe Correa. Many of the pieces will be offered for sale, with proceeds benefiting the development of rehabilitation facilities for whales and dolphins in need.
The showcase is open through Sept. 7 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Protect Center will also host a Meet the Artists and Closing Night on Thursday, Sept. 7 from 6 to 9 p.m.
If you are in Islamorada, take the time and check out the exhibit; you will be glad you did. The exhibit at the Protect Center is located at 82748 Overseas Highway in Islamorada. More information is available at the DPMMR’s social media pages and connecttoprotect.org.
