Thanks to a generous loan from the Port Townsend Marine Science Center, Feiro will be hosting their Bull Kelp traveling exhibit for two weeks this January.
“Bull Kelp: Our Remarkable Underwater Forests” is open to the public Thursday through Monday, 12-4 p.m., beginning Monday, January 15 and ending Monday, January 29. Feiro is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays during the winter season. The exhibit is free with admission. Groups may make a reservation to visit this exhibit outside of these hours by calling 360-775-5182.
Kelp forests are one of the most productive ecosystems in the world. Found in cool marine waters around the globe, kelp forests’ diverse and dynamic communities are comparable to coral reefs and rainforests. In North America, kelp forests provide habitat for over 1,000 species of plants and animals such as fish, invertebrates, sea otters, sea lions, and whales.
A successful application for funding from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Aquatic Lands Enhancement Account helped Port Townsend Marine Science Center (PTMSC) staff, volunteers, artists, and artisans create this new multi-sensory exhibit.
Dynamic artwork by Timbul Cahyono surrounds visitors as they walk through the immersive structure. Cahyono’s images of sea otters, swimming puffins, and other sea creatures are printed on translucent fabric, providing a watery feel.
Visual artist and former PTMSC AmeriCorps Marine Educator Mariah Vane created a host of kelp forest residents, including fluffy sea anemones, prickly sea urchins, and articulated crabs. The kelp, animals, and rocks are made from upcycled or found materials such as holiday ornaments and packing foam.
The beauty of the structure’s imagery extends to the carefully researched interpretive panels that accompany the exhibit, which incorporate text created by the Puget Sound Restoration Fund for its bull kelp StoryMap. The panels are printed on 100% recyclable PET material.
Designed to be highly portable, the structure includes a recorded soundscape that plays sea sounds on discreetly placed speakers, as well as an underwater video of a kelp forest by well-known documentary videographer Florian Graner. Ambient lighting simulates the nearshore habitat’s location to the sun.
Visitors are provided a handy field guide featuring the beautiful images from the installation, helpful for identifying the 40 creatures illustrated. Volunteer naturalists will be on hand to assist with interpretation.
Please note that the City Pier parking lot is closed during this time for a stormwater and sidewalk repair. Free parking is located across the street next to the Rail at 128 E. Railroad Ave. The main sidewalk that leads to Feiro is unobstructed. You may also reach the picnic tables and the bathrooms via this route.
If you have any problems or need alternate suggestions for parking (now that it’s the quiet season there are plenty of options), don’t hesitate to call ahead to us at 360-775-5182.
