We Are The Sea: A World Ocean Day Art Exhibition, will be held at Gallery 19a, Brighton, from 29th May to 9th June 2025. The exhibition is designed to celebrate our connection to the ocean, amplify the voices of those who dedicate their lives to the sea, and raise awareness about the ongoing environmental challenges facing our waters.

At the heart of this exhibition are my "sea portraits"—a collection of expressive works inspired by interviews with remarkable women from the Sussex Bay coastline. These ‘portraits' capture the personal and emotional connection these women have with the ocean, each bringing unique perspectives shaped by their work and passions.

The featured women and their stories include:

• Dr. Catherine Kelly: An expert, from University of Brighton, in the restorative power of water on wellbeing, exploring how natural environments heal and support mental health.
• Coral Evans: An environmental campaigner and founder of Leave No Trace Brighton, working to mobilise communities to address beach litter and ocean pollution.
• Christine Addison: An accomplished Channel swimmer and trainer, who has crossed the English Channel multiple times, embodying the strength and tenacity of human connection to the sea.
• Alice Clark: A PhD researcher at the University of Sussex, focused on cutting-edge techniques to monitor and protect marine biodiversity.
• Jeannette, an Anonymous Brighton resident: Through the Brighton Women’s Centre, sharing her deeply personal, therapeutic connection with the ocean and how it shapes her daily life as a Brighton resident.

These sea portraits are complemented by my textural seascapes and eco-conscious protest art, which confronts pressing environmental issues such as marine pollution, plastic waste, and coastal erosion.

I will be in the gallery throughout the exhibition, and I would love to take the opportunity to discuss the work with you, share my inspiration, and explore how art can be a powerful tool for change. This exhibition is not just about showcasing beautiful seascapes; it is a call to action, using art to highlight the fragility of our oceans and encourage collective responsibility for their protection.

The exhibition is free to attend, and I’ll be available during gallery hours.
Exhibition information:Opening hours: Monday - Saturday: 10am - 5pm. Sunday: ClosedAddress: Gallery 19a, 19a Hollingdean Terrace, Brighton, BN1 7HB Dates: Thursday 29th May to Monday 9th June 2025How to find & access: You can find the Gallery via Satnav nearby Ditchling Road in Fiveways, or find it by looking for the old industrial building, formerly a coach garage, tucked into the corner of Hollingdean Terrace. The gallery is part of a larger space with studios and a shop and cafe. Parking is free on the roads nearby, so you can find parking wherever you find a space.
I hope you’ll join me for this exhibition, as we celebrate the shared responsibility we all have for the oceans and the communities dedicated to preserving them.

Looking forward to welcoming you,
Laura