Press Release

Contact: John Robinson (831) 647-4237 or 4201 Aaron King (831) 647-4257

Renowned Marine Artist Hosts
Ocean Conference Signing Benefit

Internationally acclaimed marine artist Robert Lyn Nelson will sign posters of his work in a special benefit to celebrate the occurance of the upcoming National Ocean Conference in Monterey. The signing will occur at Nelson's Cannery Row studio on Saturday, June 13, from noon to 3 pm. Proceeds from the event will be used by the Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary Foundation for local marine educational and research efforts.

"The sea and its life is a source of endless inspiration, not just for artists like myself, but for everyone," Nelson said. "We must cherish the fragile beauty of our coastlines and protect the oceans, which is why I am happy to offer my time and work for the benefit of the Monterey Bay and National Marine Sanctuary programs."

Nelson is considered the founder of the modern marine art movement, and is one of the most widely collected and critically acclaimed artists in the world. His stunning, multimedia paintings of the underwater and coastal world are exhibited in New York's Metropolitan Museum and Museum of Natural History, the Berkshire and Peabody Museums of Massachusetts and the Society for Wildlife Art in Great Britain.

"Robert continues to be an outstanding advocate of the National Marine Sanctuary program, and of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary in particular. We are truly lucky to have someone of his talent taking such a sincere interest in the oceans' well-being," stated Bill Douros, Monterey Bay Sanctuary Superintendent.

Nelson, who divides his time between galleries in Monterey and the island of Maui, has long-standing commitment to protecting the ocean environment, including the magnificent kelp forests and marine life of the Monterey Bay, which are often depicted in his work.

Nelson was honored last year as the Official Artist for NOAA's "International Year of the Reef" poster, that displayed his painting "Planetary Choir." This year, Nelson is scheduled to have a painting exhibited in the US Pavilion at the World Expo '98 to be held in Lisbon, Portugal. That painting, "From Sea to Shining Sea" is in tribute to 1998 being the United Nations' "International Year of the Oceans."

"It is a wonderful and natural collaboration to have an artist of Nelson's caliber associated with Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Foundation," said Michael DeLapa, Foundation Executive Director. "This signing offers a rare chance to obtain a signed work by Nelson and to support the Sanctuary and its programs."

The event will be from 12:00 noon to 3:00 p.m. Saturday, June 13, at the Robert Lyn Nelson Studios, 660 Cannery Row, Suite 105. Nelson will be on hand to sign posters of his work, which will sell for $50.

Additional contacts:
Michael DeLapa 649-5152, ext. 112
Carl Brzovich, Nelson Studios Gallery Director