New Exhibit Opens at Birch Aquarium in La Jolla

An exhibition of ocean and coast-inspired art and poetry by 47 students from around California—including three from San Diego County—will go on display Saturday at the Birch Aquarium.

The works were among more than 2,200 entrants in the 2013 California Coastal Art and Poetry Contest for kindergarten through 12th grade students, sponsored by the California Coastal Commission.

"At Birch Aquarium, we regularly encourage creative expression through our hands-on activities, so it is a natural fit for us to host this youth art and poetry exhibition," said Executive Director Nigella Hillgarth. "Our hope is that this exhibit will inspire parents and teachers to explore with children the many ways that art can be incorporated into science education."

Three poems from San Diegans are included in the exhibition -- "Hello Ocean" by San Diego first-grader Hugh Burnell, "Drowning" by Oceanside eighth-grader Hannah Prior, and "Monterey Bay" by Jordan Kaiser, a high school sophomore from San Marcos.

The contest is held annually to encourage youth to reflect on the beauty and spirit of California's beaches and ocean. The commission uses the event to inspire a greater sense of appreciation and stewardship for the oceanfront environment.

Entries for the 2014 contest must be postmarked by Jan. 31. Information is available online at www.coastforyou.org.

The exhibit will be located in the aquarium's galleria through Jan. 20 and is included in the price of admission.

—City News Service