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Exhibition Dates: June 5 – 28, 2026
Submission Deadline: May 1, 2026Location: Vashon Center for the Arts, Vashon Island, WA
This exhibition focuses on marine life and underwater ecosystems of the Salish Sea and other great waters — from kelp forests and eelgrass beds to invertebrates, fish, marine mammals, plankton, and aquatic plant life.
We are seeking artwork that explores the world below the waterline — its biodiversity, movement, fragility, mystery, and interconnected systems.
Please note:
This exhibition centers on underwater environments and marine organisms. We are not seeking traditional coastal landscapes, beach scenes, shoreline views, or horizon seascapes. Submissions should focus on life beneath the surface of the water.
Exhibition Inspiration
In April 2024, a 40-foot gray whale washed ashore on Vashon Island’s eastern shoreline. Severely emaciated and weakened by lack of food, the whale’s death reflected the growing environmental stress in the Pacific. Because the carcass landed in a quiet, natural area, it was left to decompose in place — becoming both a rich habitat for marine scavengers and a rare opportunity for ecological study. Over the following months, the whale’s remains became a thriving micro-ecosystem — feeding birds, crabs, and coyotes while offering scientists a rare opportunity to study natural decomposition and ecological renewal in the Salish Sea.
Over the months that followed, scientists from the Vashon Nature Center (VNC), in coordination with federal agencies, monitored the site and later recovered the whale’s skeleton with the help of local students and volunteers. The skeleton, affectionately known as “Singer,” will form the core of a monumental articulated sculpture by Ela Lamblin to be installed in the VCA atrium in June 2026.
This moment brings together science, ecology, and artistic exploration — inspiring artists to reflect on the unseen worlds beneath the surface of our regional waters.
Themes & Direction
Artists are encouraged to reflect on:
Marine animals, invertebrates, and underwater plant life
Kelp forests, eelgrass beds, plankton, and subtidal ecosystems
Ecological systems, food webs, migration, decomposition, and renewal
The biodiversity of the Salish Sea and other aquatic environments
The intersection of scientific understanding and artistic interpretation
The relationship between humans and marine ecosystems
Submission InformationSubmission Deadline: May 1, 2026
Artist Notification: May 10, 2026
Artists may submit up to 4 works for consideration.
Submissions must be completed through the online submission form (link).
Artists must also email images of their submitted artwork to the VCA Gallery following the instructions in the form.
There is no application fee for this exhibition.
Eligibility
All mediums are welcome, including 2D and 3D work.
For artists in the continental US.
Artwork must be original work by the artist.
Artwork must not have been previously shown on Vashon Island.