This is the 2nd edition of the collective exhibition “OceanArt: Science to Art”. It all began in 2024 with a session held by scientists, “Inform to Inspire”, where the problems the Ocean faces were presented and discussed. Following this session, thirteen artists created approximately 40 works of art (painting, sculpture, and photography), exhibited from 6 December 2024 to 17 January 2025, at the Central Library of the University of Algarve, on the Gambelas Campus, Faro. It was a huge success, and invitations to repeat it in other locations soon followed. However, it was only repeated from 17 May to 15 June 2025 at the Fort of Beliche in Sagres, a beautiful and inspiring location linked to the History of Portugal.
The main objective of this activity is to bring together scientists and artists to jointly raise awareness about the crucial role the ocean plays in our lives, its main problems, and the ways in which we can help protect and preserve it. Using the exhibited artworks, scientific information is conveyed that clarifies important and essential aspects related to different themes that despite being widely debated are still poorly understood. Photos and artifacts from ongoing research projects at the Centre of Marine Sciences of Algarve (CCMAR) are also on display, providing information and a glimpse into current research.
This new edition of OceanArt is being held at a new location, the Colégio Nossa Senhora da Graça, (School of our Lady of Grace) in Vila Nova de Milfontes, and features new works of art, from 16 May to 2 June 2026, part of the Festival of Marine Forests (13 to 22 May). The space is more limited, which has also led to a limitation in the number of artworks on display. However, the principle of the exhibition remains the same: to inform, to raise awareness, and change behaviours that are harmful to the Ocean.
Coordination: Teresa Cerveira Borges
Curatorship: Teresa Cerveira Borges & Fiona Issler
Artists: Carlos Ferreira, Dana Georgescu, Dina Salvador, Fiona Issler, Herminio Das, João Jesus, Júlio Antão, Maria Benjamim, Maria Manuela Santos, Rafaela Silva, Sara Pontes, Teresa Cerveira Borges, Vilma Vicente.
Scientists: CCMAR Research Groups: FBC (Fisheries, Biodiversity & Conservation), ECOREACH (Ecology & Restoration of Riverine, Estuarine & Coastal Habitats)
Institutions involved: Centre of Marine Sciences of Algarve (CCMAR); University of Algarve (UALG)
Support: Municipality of Odemira; Parish Council of Vila Nova de Milfontes; Colégio Nossa Senhora da Graça (School of Our Lady of Grace)