SpectorDance is launching the inaugural year of the Monterey Ocean Arts Festival.

The Festival welcomes the entire community to experience ocean-themed visual and performing art created by Monterey Bay area youth, participate in family-friendly ocean education activities and enjoy live music by local musicians. This admission-free event will take place on Sunday, April 14 from 2-4pm at SpectorDance, located at 3343 Paul Davis Drive, Marina, CA 93933.

Attendees will interact with onsite local science organizations and leading conservationists through educational materials and fun, engaging activities for all ages.

The visual art display will comprise of 60+ pieces of ocean-themed paintings, drawings, photography, acrylic, and digital art created by Monterey Bay area youth ages 8 to 21 and local schools and programs such as Youth Arts Collective, Los Arboles Middle School, and Carmel, Monterey and San Benito High Schools. Attendees will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite visual art piece and the top 20 will be displayed in the Sunset Center lobby during the SpectorDance Company’s performance of Ocean Trilogy on April 25. The performing arts presentation will include live music, videography, dance, and poetry. SpectorDance Youth Company will perform an original work, Out of the Blue, a playful ballet about ocean diversity, and live music will be provided by the violin/viola duet, Duo Appasionata, and the Monterey Jazz Festival’s Middle School Honor Jazz Band.

Monterey Ocean Arts Festival illustrates the power of creativity to heighten awareness of ocean issues, spark conversation, and educate the next generation on conservation. By tapping into individual forms of creative expression, we celebrate the passions and talents of young artist.  We are joining together to raise our shared voices for the future of ocean and the environment.