Sea Turtle Art Exhibit at Art League Academy
‘Home to Hilton Head’ by Maggy Pierre Pelissier
Two Hilton Head Island 501(c)(3) nonprofits, Art League of Hilton Head and Sea Turtle Patrol HHI, are again joining forces to raise funds for our island’s sea turtles. Sea Turtle Patrol Hilton Head Island provides monitoring, support, and awareness of sea turtle nesting to promote the continued existence of these endangered species. A special week-long exhibit featuring sea turtle-themed artwork created by artists of our community will be held at Art League Academy July 23-30, with a closing reception on Tuesday, July 30, 5-7pm. Art League will donate 20% of artwork sales to Sea Turtle Patrol HHI.
“We named the exhibit Halfway Home because we’ll be right at the halfway point of the sea turtle season,” says Kristen McIntosh, Executive Director of Art League of Hilton Head. “Our artists have created some beautiful pieces for sale, and we’re thrilled to be able to help such a worthy cause.”
Art League Academy is offering sea turtle-themed art classes, with 20% of the proceeds also going to Sea
‘Out of the Blue’ by Joyce Kreis
Turtle Patrol HHI. The classes are Washi Tape Sea Turtlestaught by Joan Moreau McKeever on Tuesday, July 23; Mosaic Turtles with Ryan McGivern and Mixed Media Sea Turtles with Debi West on Saturday, July 27; andBaby Sea Turtles in Stained Glass with Cynthia Buckley on Sunday, July 28. Participants can sign up on Art League’s website at artleaguehhi.org.
The sea turtle season, during which the sea turtles nest and hatch, lasts from May through October. The species faces significant threats worldwide, including bycatch in fishing, loss of habitats due to development and pollution, and entanglement in marine debris. “We patrol the beach daily from May 1 through the end of October, protecting our sea turtle population and helping in any way we can,” says Amber Kuehn, Sea Turtle Patrol’s director. “We’re made up entirely of volunteers. Partnering with Art League means the world to us.”
The exhibit will be held at Art League Academy, located at 106 Cordillo Parkway. The exhibit and reception are free and open to the public.
