Interactive Art Exhibition and Panel: The Healing Power of the Ocean and Its Waves: Ecodependcy - Personal, Social, Artistic, and Ocean Connections
This unique event combines a captivating Art Exhibition with a Panel discussion, promising an experience that engages the mind, spirit, and soul.
Our distinguished speakers will explore topics ranging from ecological interdependence to the therapeutic joys of surfing. Discover how the ocean is our ultimate playground, transcending age barriers and healing us. It offers equality, fosters safe friendships and serves as a canvas for our creativity.
Panelists: Heather Hudson, filmmaker & Heal the Ocean board member, Toyo Peluso, founder of Salt Water Divas, Dr. Anna Cho, founder & Clinical Director of Heart Theory, Lauren French & Lily Carbullido, Isla Vista Surfrider Foundation, Katie Abbott, photographer & founder of SB Surf Mamas, Katharine Gerhardt, founder of Beach Moms group, Sophie Simon, filmmaker and Shelby Sudder, visual artist.
Moderator: Ivana Bajic, author of the project Nature of Surf Women
Program
5:30 Doors opening
6:00- 6:30 pm Art exhibition: Our immersive exhibition offers adventure and reconnection with nature. From intricate photography to evocative sculptures, each piece serves as a testament to the profound impact of the ocean on the human psyche.
Artists:
6:30- 7:30 pm Panel: One-of-a-kind fusion of creativity and thought-provoking dialogue, crafted for all who wish to deepen their understanding of our symbiotic relationship with the sea.
7:30-8:30 pm Post-event gathering
After the panel discussion, feel free to unwind at The Anchor Rose Restaurant, conveniently situated within the museum. You can reserve a dinner table using OpenTable or enjoy a drink at the bar. When booking, mention that you're part of the panel group to ensure seating together. Please note that this post-panel gathering is not officially affiliated with the event.
ABOUT PANELISTS
Ivana Bajic, producer
Los Angeles-based multimedia producer specialized in developing projects that merge art and technology. Her work ranges from artificial intelligence startups to eminent artists, including Marina Abramovic and Jeff Koons. Her clients include the British Society of Cinematographers and Warner Bros. Studios. Author and producer of the interactive book Nature of Surf Women. She is currently working on a documentary film about Surf Therapy.
Heather Hudson, filmmaker
Heather is a film producer known for her graceful longboard style. She started her days surfing in south Santa Barbara County. In 2007, she founded Graciegirl LLC and produced the groundbreaking documentary "THE WOMEN AND THE WAVES," followed by "THE WOMEN AND THE WAVES 2" in 2016 and "93 - LETTERS FROM MARGE" in 2020. Heather is dedicated to ending ocean pollution and has been a key member of Heal the Ocean, currently heading up fundraising and events.
Toyo Yamane-Peluso
Toyo is the founder of the Salt Water Divas. Established in 2012, the group aims to increase female representation in surfing and now boasts 600 members in Santa Barbara and Ventura. Through educational programs, coaching, and community outreach, they promote health, wellness, and diversity in the lineup.
Dr. Anna Selena Cho
Anna is the founder and clinical director of Heart Theory Inc. and Hydro Theory Inc., which utilizes the resources of the mind, the body, the creative process, and archetypes. Her methods reach into the abstract concepts of what we yearn and strive for while guiding us through the resistance of the emotional process. Dr. Anna has developed Hydro Theory, an OCEAN+SURF therapy program to the community, intersecting recreation and mental health to create sustainable change, healing, and connection.
Jess Bode, Climate Scientist, Surfirder Volunteer
Jess holds a Master's Degree in Sustainability with a focus on human behavior and climate change. She specializes in promoting pro-environmental behavior change. In her free time, Jes works with the Surfrider Foundation to facilitate community beach clean-ups.
Katie Abbott and Katharine Gerhardt- Surfing Moms communities
Katie is a natural light, lifestyle photographer who loves capturing the magic in everyday moments. You can find her surfing almost every day at some of her favorite local spots, including Mondo’s, Deveraux, and Refugio. Katie is passionate about building community in and out of the water and started SB Surf Mamas to share her love of surfing with women of all levels in SB.
www.katieabbottphotography.com
Katharine (Kat) Gerhardt grew up on the rugged coasts of Marin County. During college, she studied Art, taught surfing, and chased waves along the California coast. Her college surf lessons evolved into coaching young girls and helping women to overcome their fears. As a sponsored surfer, actor, and model, Kat has traveled the world. Her passion for surfing and empowering women led her to create the “Beach Mamas” surf group, which supports ocean-loving mothers. She loves spending long beach days at Rincon and also enjoys spots like Hammonds, Refugio, and Campus Point.
Lauren French and Lily Carbullido, Isla Vista Surfrider Foundation
Lauren is a Senior at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and the Co-President of the Isla Vista Surfrider Foundation. She has helped build a larger community of ocean-loving activists. She is also a Lead Coach at The Sea League, helping to provide equitable integration of ocean sports for youth and inspiring future generations of ocean lovers.
Lily is the Co-President of Surfrider's Isla Vista Club. Lily has been involved with Surfrider for eight years and is an integral part of the flourishing Isla Vista Club. From hosting beach cleanups and certifying local Ocean Friendly Restaurants to campaigning against offshore oil drilling and participating in Surfrider's Coastal Recreation Hill Day, Lily has made an incredible impact on her community. She aims to improve the health and wellbeing of all people through science-based solutions, which drove her to conduct research with UCSB’s Jacobs Lab where she is investigating the impact of hormones and aging on the female brain.
Sophie Simon, filmmaker
Sophie Simon is a 20-year-old filmmaker, surfer, and student from Ventura, California, passionate about women's surfing. Her short film Paving the Waves has already been recognized by the LA International and Dana Point film festivals. Sophie hopes to inspire younger female surfers and show them they have a voice in the surf community and world. Meet Sofie on the panel before the film screening at the Santa Barbara Surf Film Festival on June 8th @ Lobero Theatre in SB.
www.sophie-simon-portfolio.com
Shelby Scudder, visual artsist
Shelby is an environmentally-minded visual artist who works with found objects to create colorful, compositionally-driven pieces that play with dimension, scale and movement. Based out of Santa Barbara, she discovers and collects the majority of her materials along local beaches- anything from discarded plastic scraps and fishing traps, to boat remnants and weathered driftwood. This choice of medium both prevents the creation of new materials, as well as helps to diminish trash and plastics in nature; but what Shelby loves most is the way in which each object infuses her art with its own rich, mysterious history and energy.