Washed Ashore: Art to Save the Sea at the San Diego Natural History Museum

by Patricia Frischer 

Washed Ashore: Art to Save the Sea  is entirely made of plastic waste collected along coastlines. These pieces of trash are cleverly put together to make creatures of the sea. Although it is a delightful display for all ages, the real message of the show is to bring attention to the harm this plastic is doing to our oceans. So Dexter the Dungeness Crab and Annie the anemone and the jelly fish underwater environment are really meant for us to pay attention to a serious issue. There is an estimated 75 to 199 million tons of plastic clogging our water.

There are more than 25 creatures, all hand-crafts by the non-profit The Washed Ashore Project out of North Bend Oregon.  The exhibition is on the second floor in a 3000 square foot space with an interaction section for hands on learning. For special events like Nat at Night, the space morphs into an ocean-themed lounge—the Museum’s very own “dive bar.”

Take a close look at the huge variety of plastic that, for example, make up the whale ribs at the entrance of the show, the fierce jaw of the shark and the hanging tendrils of the jellies. 

jelly detail

Washed Ashore: Art to Save the Sea  on view until Feb 28, 2027
San Diego Natural History Museum
1788 El Prado, Balboa Park
10 AM–5 PM Daily