The Curious World of Seaweed is a journey into the underrepresented stories of the marine algae, (seaweed and kelp) flourishing just under the dynamic waves of the Pacific Ocean.

Josie Iselin exhibits the artwork that inspired the research and writing of her book and makes us appreciate in awe these dynamic and spectacular organisms of the ocean world or found flung up on a local beach or in the tide pools.

The seaweeds have taken me on a visual and ecological adventure that I could never have imagined would be so profound. Marine algae (seaweed and kelp) are extraordinarily beautiful—vibrant and varied—and as the primary producers of our nearshore oceans, they are the underpinnings of life in the sea. They are the base of the food chain and they create habits and a place to live for the diversity of organisms that make the coastal waters of California so rich. And yet, the usual reaction to thinking about seaweed is “Yuck” or “Oh I never noticed that before.” Getting people to notice this “other flora” is my mission, and once noticed to be astounded enough to want to know more.

– Josie Iselin

This fall we’ll be hosting Josie for a one-day class on creating cyanotype photography with seaweed. Experience printmaking using the cyanotype technique and learn more about seaweed and algae ecology.