Seaweeds have been used by the Indigenous peoples of California and the Pacific Northwest for thousands of years. European explorers plucked specimens from our rocky shores during exploratory expeditions. In the late 1800s, women living in Pacific Grove, CA, sent fresh specimens collected around the Monterey Peninsula to colleagues at UC Berkeley. And, today, seaweed is receiving major attention as kelp forests rapidly disappear from our coastline. From nori to giant kelp, from bull kelp to surfgrass and eelgrass, seaweed holds many such stories for visitors to discover through Exhibit Envoy’s traveling exhibition, The Curious World of Seaweed.
The exhibition features the works and research of Josie Iselin, a photographer, author, and designer of many books. Her book, The Curious World of Seaweed, features visually rich narratives of our iconic West Coast seaweeds and kelps. It was released by Heyday Books in August 2019. Iselin’s writing and art focusing on seaweed, kelp and sea otter puts her on the forefront of ocean activism, presenting and working with scientists and environmental groups to preserve the kelp forests of our Pacific Coast.
Image: Oceans Edge I, five 25" x 96" panels of poly rip-stop fabric. By Josie Iselin.
Exhibition Dates: January 28 to April 30, 2023.
The Curious World of Seaweed is a traveling exhibition from author and artist Josie Iselin in partnership with Exhibit Envoy.
Presentation of this exhibition at the Grace Hudson Museum was made possible by Oco Time Restaurant, the Sun House Guild, and our Museum Members. Additional support has been provided by Rising Tide Sea Vegetables, and Ocean Harvest Sea Vegetables.
Exhibition Programs:
Friday, February 3, from 5:00 to 8:00 PM
Opening Reception
Spend a part of your February First Friday celebrating our newest exhibition, The Curious World of Seaweed. Explore the show and try a hands-on activity while also enjoying refreshments and live music.
Sunday, March 5, from 1:00 to 4:00 PM
Exploring the Magic & Wonder of the Ocean
Discover ocean life with Sue Coulter from the Noyo Center for Marine Science in Fort Bragg. Stop by anytime throughout this family-friendly program. Find out how ocean animals have adapted to live in a cold, wet world by seeing and touching bones, pelts, teeth replicas, baleen, and much more!
Sunday, March 19, from 1:00 to 2:30 PM
An Artist’s Journey Into the Science of Seaweed
Meet Josie Iselin, who authored the book, The Curious World of Seaweed, and who partnered with Exhibit Envoy in the creation of this exhibition. Iselin will use her artwork as a jumping off point into the basics of seaweed ecology and the history of the science surrounding the near shore oceans along the California Coast.
Saturday, April 15, from 1:00 to 2:30 PM
Pomo Perspectives on Seaweed
Hillary Renick (Noyo), Eric Wilder (Kashaya Pomo), and Robin Meely (Pomo, Coast Miwok, Navajo) will each share their thoughts about aspects of seaweed important to them.