The painting series “Healing Waters” was born out of the artist Selva Ozelli’s desire to prepare an art show that focused on rehabilitating the treasured waters and sea of Chesapeake Bay for the Havre de Grace Maritime Museum and Environmental Center.
Havre de Grace Maritime Museum and Environmental Center is located in Havre de Grace, Harford County, Maryland. It is situated at the mouth of the Susquehanna River and the head of Chesapeake Bay – which outlets into the Atlantic Ocean.
With this art show, Selva Ozelli wants to draw attention to the conservation efforts of six states – New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, and the District of Columbia bound by the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement.
The Healing Waters series art show focuses on the Darter Fish, which live in highly oxygenated fresh waters. Darter fish is the only animal unique to Maryland.
Selva Ozelli also held three additional art shows to celebrate World Oceans Day:
- “Healing Hudson” highlights the Hudson Valley’s role in the environmental movement, featuring art of endangered Darter Fish that once thrived in the Hudson watershed.
- The “Healing Waters” Art Show aimed to raise awareness about the endangered Darter Fish and global efforts to restore wetlands and oceans.
- The “Tides of Change Waves of Hope” art show aims to stimulate ocean science and generate knowledge to reverse ocean decline, promote sustainable development, and deliver science-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda.