“For the past four years, we have curated the World Ocean Day Celebration to be the intersection point for everyone’s love of the ocean. By bringing together artists, scientists, sponsors, activists, students, and families, during a global celebration, we’re able to amplify the recognition of ocean issues across the city, making a bigger impact and raising more awareness.” — Ombretta Agro’ Andruff, founder of ARTSail.

On Saturday, June 8, 2024, Miami joined cities from around the world in celebrating World Ocean Day with the 4th annual World Ocean Day Celebration, a collaborative event hosted by leading local ocean organizations, ARTSail and Blue Scholars Initiative. As one of the country’s top oceanic metropolises, with over 7.5 miles of Atlantic coastline and nearly at level with the sea, Miami maintains an intimate relationship with the water surrounding it. Through this connection, the World Ocean Day Celebration invites the community to engage, connect, and learn from the ocean through an all-day event combining conservation with art, science, and activism.

Hosted between Miami Beach and Virginia Key, the event kicked off with beach and water family-friendly activities that immersed local students, the greater community, and tourists directly with the water. Along the sand, guests were welcomed by life-size ocean art by Maria Useche and Deborah Mitchell encouraging new reflections on the interplay between the ocean and human creation. The evening itinerary included the presentation of a low-tide dance performance by NWD Projects, stories and discussion from female ocean conservationists, and award-winning films in collaboration with the San Francisco-based International Ocean Film Festival.

Let's talk numbers. This year's event brought over 500 ocean lovers to the beach at 34th Street. Participants swam a mile in under 30 minutes in support of the 30x30 Ocean Decade campaign, took part in a ceremonial paddle-out led by Surfrider to honor our Mother Ocean and those lost at sea, and received swimming lessons with coaches from Breath and Splash. 

New artwork commissioned by ARTSail was also unveiled, featuring a new series of six striking Ocean Flags designed by Maria Useche that graced the entrance to the beach, titled Tidal Tapestry: Exploring The Sea Life Patterns, along with new artwork by Deborah Mitchell titled Weaving with Water. This piece consisted of three quilts composed by the rich and imperiled flora and fauna inhabiting a variety of South-Florida ecosystems, and created over three months in collaboration with students from Breakthrough Miami, The Motivational Edge, and Overtown Youth Center. In addition to the quilts, Mitchell also presented two photographic cubes first exhibited at the SE Florida Regional Climate Summit in November 2023, from the series Within the Tapestry.

DAY PROGRAM:

OCEAN ART

30-MINUTE OCEAN MILE CHALLENGE EXHIBITION SWIM with FULL CIRCLE COACHING and DOLPHINS & RAINBOWS

CEREMONIAL PADDLE-OUT with SURFRIDER

YOUTH SWIMMING LESSONS with BREATH and SPLASH

BEACH CLEAN-UP with CLEAN MIAMI BEACH

Together we collected 238 lbs of trash under the guidance of Clean Miami Beach, and engaged in dune restoration efforts led by Surfrider.

DUNE RESTORATION WITH SURFRIDER

OCEAN VILLAGE

EVENING PROGRAM:

The evening program smashed attendance records with a sold-out event featuring over 250 guests at Salt Restaurant and the Rosenstiel School Auditorium, located on the campus of the renowned Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science. Attendees enjoyed unobstructed views of Biscayne Bay and an evening filled with art, an electrifying and informative Sheroes of the Ocean panel, followed by a 75-minute program of inspiring ocean-themed films.

SALT WATERFRONT COCKTAIL RECEPTION

WEAVING WITH WATER DANCE PERFORMANCE with NWD PROJECTS

The soirée kicked off with the mesmerizing performance Weaving with Water, choreographed by Dale Andree, Executive Director of NWD Projects, in collaboration with the dancers. Central to this performance is Biscayne Bay, a vibrant aquatic jewel, whose tranquil yet dynamic spirit influences the choreography. The dancers reflect the Bay’s serene surface and hidden currents, conveying a story of resilience and symbiosis. Through their fluid motions and intricate formations, Weaving with Water paid homage to Biscayne Bay, celebrating its beauty and the vital connections it represents within the vast tapestry of water bodies.

SHEROES OF THE OCEAN PANEL DISCUSSION & INTERNATIONAL OCEAN FILM FESTIVAL

The event continued with an inspiring panel featuring five Sheroes of the Ocean, who shared their stories and insights into the world of ocean conservation. For this fourth edition, we brought together an exciting panel to draw attention to the powerful advocacy of women from South Florida, from diverse backgrounds and ethnicities, who are making waves in Florida and beyond. The participating speakers were: Lisa Beal, Professor of Oceanography in the Ocean Sciences department at the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science; Karlisa Callwood, marine scientist educator, Nat Geo Explorer, fisheries expert; Anya Freeman, Founder and CEO, Kind Designs; Deborah Mitchell, conservation artist and Master Naturalist; Cyan Simmons, Ocean Conservancy Ports & Communities Liaison. The panel was moderated by Ombretta Agró Andruff, Founder and Executive Director, ARTSail Residency and Research Initiative.

Following the panel discussion, the audience experienced a mix of tears and laughter during the screening program, curated by Adam Steckley and organized in collaboration with the San Francisco-based International Ocean Film Festival.

PRESS and MEDIA IMPRESSIONS

Our media presence reached new heights as well. We secured coverage from two television stations, WSVN and Local 10 News, which aired specials highlighting the event multiple times. We achieved over 33 hits in various media outlets and social media placements, generating a staggering 51 million+ impressions!

Event photography courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line, Michael Samway, Meredith Bass, and Alex Markow

THANK YOU!!

Huge waves of gratitude go to our amazing partner in crime, Blue Scholars Initiative, and to all of other partner organizations, including Surfrider, The International Seakeepers Society, Clean Miami Beach, Full Circle Coaching, Breath and Splash, Pilates for the People, and Earth Echo International. We are honored to work with this powerhouse alliance working tirelessly to save our ocean.

A special thanks to all of our sponsors and supporters without whom none of this would be possible, and to all of the blue hearts who came out in throve to celebrate our One World Ocean with us!

SAVE THE DATE FOR AN EXPANDED 5TH ANNUAL CELEBRATION!

MAY 31 - JUNE 8, 2025