World Ocean Day is the UN-recognized day of ocean celebration and action. All around the globe individuals and groups use the day to celebrate, learn about, and do their part to help the ocean. Local, regional, and state organizations will come together to provide engaging activities to help visitors understand the human connection to the ocean.

Join Artist Boat in celebrating World Ocean Day on June 10, 2023 at East Beach by discovering and learning through hands-on activities, presentations, exhibits, entertainment, and workshops!

Pre-Festival Events

Leading up to the festival at East Beach, two events are scheduled:

“Seaddrift” Documentary by Tim Tsai
June 8th – 8:30 pm
Saengerfest Park
Bring your lawn chairs and join us under the stars for a free film screening of “Seadrift”. In 1979, a Vietnamese refugee shoots a white fisherman at the town docks in Seadrift, Texas. What began as a dispute over fishing territory erupts into violence and ignites a maelstrom of boat burnings, KKK intimidation, and other hostilities against Vietnam War refugees along the Gulf Coast. Seadrift is a riveting deep dive into the event and the unexpected consequences that continue to reverberate.

“Cast Away: Poems of Our Times”, Poetry Reading y Naomi Shihab Nye
June 9th – 6:30 pm
The Proletariat Gallery & Public House
Acclaimed poet and Young People’s Poet Laureate Naomi Shihab Nye shines a spotlight on the things we cast away, from plastic water bottles to those less fortunate, in this collection of more than eighty original and never-before-published poems. “Cast Away” is a deeply moving, sometimes funny, and always provocative poetry collection for all ages. Join us for a poetry reading by Naomi and stick around to meet the poet at a book signing.

Festival Workshops, June 10 at East Beach

Screen Printing
Participants will be introduced to a versatile printing process utilized by visual artists worldwide. The printing technique allows students to quickly and easily make multiple images of original art.
Times: 11:00 am, 12:15 pm, 1:30 pm, 2:45 pm

Poetry Writing
Learn to write poetry with the acclaimed poet, Naomi Shihab Nye, author of “Cast Away: Poems of Our Time”. With her guidance you will be creating your own poetry in no time.
Times: 11:00 am, 1:30 pm

I Smell Something Fishy
Hand-build your own fish from clay as you experience and learn the feeding adaptations of fish. Our Eco-Art Educators will guide you through this workshop using both the disciplines of art and science.
Times: 11:00 am, 1:30 pm

Watercolor Painting
Learn the plein air technique of watercolor painting outdoors. A local artist will lead participants in exploring basic watercolor techniques as you create your personalized paintings of native Galveston wildlife.
Times: 12:15 pm, 2:45 pm

Drum Circle
Join in on a drum circle on the beach. You will get an opportunity to learn how to play a drum or other percussion instrument with leader and host, Ilya Janos Kolozs.
Times: 12:15 pm, 2:45 pm

Bucket Brigade
Explore the creatures and features that make Galveston beaches unique with Artist Boat’s Bucket Brigade, an interpretive Beach tour. Learn all about what makes our coast unique with hands-on activities and topics like turbid water, marine debris, Sargassum landings, and more!
Times: 11:00 am, 12:15 pm, 1:30 pm, 2:45 pm

To register for workshops, visit click here.

Festival Entertainment, June 10 at East Beach

11:00 am
Welcome by Karla Klay

11:30 am
Galveston Ukelele Society

12: 45 pm
Naomi Shihab Nye
Poetry Reading

1:15 pm
Houston Grand Opera
Storybook Opera

2:00 pm
JAWAD Banjo

2:45 pm
Naomi Shihab Nye
Poetry Reading

3:00 pm
Houston Grand Opera
Storybook Opera

3:30 pm
Beautify the Bucket
Art Contest Winners

4:00 pm
Drum Jam
with Ilya Janos Koloz

For more details, visit click here.