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| NEW Art 101: A Course in Action |   Washed Ashore
In early February 2010 the community of Bandon-by-the-Sea was enlightened to the announcement of a unique, thoughtful, creative beach debris clean-up project, conceived by Bandon artist, teacher, consultant Angela Haseltine Pozzi. Angela Pozzi is the owner/curator of “Art 101," a business along Highway 101, seven miles south of Bandon, which includes a gift/chocolate/coffee shop, and three studios – yurts – one purple, one orange, one teal. In addition to enlisting and receiving support of various city and state government agencies, it has been her ongoing endeavor to engage the community in the project of creating something artful and meaningful by collecting trash from Oregon’s beaches. And, showing that even a small population, like Bandon, can have a significant impact.
Having grown up walking the beaches, this extensively credentialed artist1 regarded the intrinsic uniqueness of the confluence between the arts and Oregon’s natural beauty that has inspired so many artists. The Washed Ashore project was begun as a teaching tool, a sensory stimulus, conveying the impact of just one person making a difference, and encouraging others to get involved.
In Spring of 2010 Artula Institute for Arts and Environmental Education was created as a nonprofit organization to support the Washed Ashore project, among other programs. Artula Institute’s Mission is to provide opportunities to express and teach environmental issues through the arts.
Collaborative of spirit, Artist Angela made a public appeal for beach garbage for this expansive traveling community project2, which would require thousands of pieces. Soon thereafter bagged beach debris, ranging in size from minuscule driftline pieces to very large masses of Styrofoam, gathered by individuals already actively involved in sand and foredune clean-up, started arriving at Art 101.
The ambitious undertaking also includes a feature- length film documentary. In early February 2010 filming began, documenting volunteers removing and bagging debris from the Oregon Islands area designated Coquille Point, as well as participating in the weekly art workshops. The talents of Holly Brook, Universal Studios recording artist, with family ties to Bandon, wrote the title song, Washed Ashore, and will be doing the musical score for the film. This documentary, both educational and inspiring, is slated to be distributed globally. Washed Ashore will incorporate a curriculum for use in schools, as well.
This byproduct of human activities, discarded marine debris, fueled the art project as Pozzi determined to work within the element. Environmentally conscientious, and having the vast resource (trash!) that lay washed along and above the driftline, Washed Ashore was to use only these “art supplies” – keep the project eco-friendly.
 Common Murre — captured and killed in marine debris
For a period of weeks preceding March 15, 2010, regular deliveries of bagged marine debris, pieces and chunks water bound from around the world, were made to Art 101 by the South Coast Beach Ranger, Robin Sears. Ranger Robin regularly picked up bagged debris from Mile 96, which incorporates the now seasonally cordoned-off Snowy Plover nesting grounds. Of primary significance was ridding that area, which runs south of Devil’s Kitchen, of beach debris for the Snowy Plover, a sensitive, threatened species listed as Endangered3
Who doesn’t like to walk the beaches and stoop over and admire, sift through and pick “treasures”? It evolved from there, and contacts were made. The SOLV Spring Beach Clean-up was March 20. Saving the State the time and expense of discarding bagged garbage, again Pozzi saw an opportunity – “bring it on!” In the 4-hour volunteer clean-up project from that day, over 2,000 pounds of debris were bagged, and bags then delivered to Art 101. Educator by passion and artist by nature, the enthusiastic, seemingly tireless Pozzi couldn’t wait to dig in.
Readying the materials to become art forms — to include a large fish, coral reef, a huge walk-thru plastic gyre, other sea sculptures, and mosaics — is a painstaking, laborious process involving several steps. Marine debris is sorted by medium, texture, color, size, into hammock-like bins. Next, cleaning (including emptying bottles of liquids) with several washings, and a final rinse with alcohol. Nets and ropes must be cleaned and cleared of sand, mud, plant and grass fragments. People of all ages and abilities participate in the weekly workshops; schools are involved in welding structures and stitching plastics. The public is invited to participate in this free art instruction Tuesdays 6-9 p.m. and Saturdays, 2-5 p.m,. at the Art 101 location, and to be involved in the creation of sculptures for the Washed Ashore project. Truly a community experience, this consuming artistic endeavor needs many hands — yours!
The exhibit is slated to travel Oregon first, and then nationally. The message will never be over, nor the task. With Pozzi’s spirit and enlightened guidance, this project provides insight, conveys a message, and aspires to change behaviors. The Washed Ashore community endeavor is making more people actively aware – beach trash is being picked up more regularly, not just during organized “clean-up” events. In some parts of the world, the beaches are so heavily littered the sand isn’t even visible.
Ours is a water world. Oregon’s coastline runs 330+ miracle miles. The problem of marine debris is global, and significant. If humans do not participate in assisting to remedy the problem, sea life, marine mammals, sea birds, shore birds, song birds, and other forms of wildlife will continue to be harmed, some to the point of dwindling and becoming extinct. Each species we lose is a sign of how our planet is doing. Declining conditions, if not stopped, will also encompass humans. It is the focus of Washed Ashore to have a global impact and positive effect – plant the seed, engage the mind, and continue the conversation.
DO NOT LITTER – ever! The ocean is not the garbage dump for human activities. When you see debris, pick it up, bag it, deposit appropriately4 – or make art! Oregonians care about their beaches and are taking action. State parks and marine research organizations spanning the coastline are encouraged by the Washed Ashore project. Consider “adopting a mile". Being part of the solution is contagious – pass it on.
— Leslie Suva, May 18, 2010
Footnotes:
1 Angela Haseltine Pozzi’s art has been displayed significantly throughout the Pacific NW, as well as in Kauai. See www.art101bandon.org; www.seathingsart.com
2 August-Oct. 2010 - Newport Visual Arts Center, Newport Febr. 18 - April 2011 — Coos Art Museum, Coos Bay
3 Beach debris attracts corvids (crows, ravens, jays) which prey on this federally listed Endangered Species (Pac. NW) Snowy Plover and its eggs. Another impact of beach debris is filaments which include things like fishing line, human hair, and very thin thread or string. Further, these tiny shards of plastics and other debris could be ingested by these 2 oz. birds, however, this is not documented.
4 Many of Oregon’s State Parks provide receptacles where bagged beach debris (NOT household garbage) may be deposited.
 Contact: Leslie Suva, CoastWatch Mile 40, (541) 329-1280, or EMAIL
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CoastWatch, a citizen monitoring program, engages Oregonians in personal stewardship over their shoreline. Volunteers adopt mile-long segments of Oregon's coast, keeping watch for natural changes and human-induced impacts, reporting on their observations, and sounding the alarm about threats and concerns.
CoastWatch is founded on individual vigilance and responsibility for one portion of the ocean shore. But the program also links hundreds of 'mile adopters' in a coastwide network of concerned citizens taking action to conserve shoreline resources. CoastWatchers serve as an early warning system not only for the Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition, but also for neighbors along their miles, local government, regulatory agencies and other conservation groups. |
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