Our oceans are home to more than a million species.
For the people of our region, the ocean is especially meaningful. For some, it’s a way of life; for others, it’s a day at the beach; but for all of us, the ocean connects us and our communities—from the Caribbean archipelagos to the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of Florida. Yet human activity threatens the long-term survival of this vast ecosystem, forcing us to ask: What can we do to preserve the natural beauty and biodiversity of our ocean waters?
Join TEDxFSCJ for Vanishing Worlds, an adventure event exploring the underwater-themed paintings of Edmari Hernandez Silen. Hernandez’s exhibit, A/Hogar, is currently on display at the FSCJ Deerwood Center and serves as impetus and inspiration for our conversation. Over the course of the evening, our panel of experts will address how the ocean connects us to a wider set of meanings and memories and how both art and science can inspire us to understand, appreciate, and better protect our ocean habitats.
Hosted by FSCJ student and artist, Maiya Elaine, and FSCJ Professor of Biology, Dr. Chris Perle, our panel will include:
Speakers include:
Edmari Hernandez Silen, featured artist, MFA in Studio Art, University of South Carolina
Dr. Bill Dally, UNF Professor of Civil and Coastal Engineering
Dustin Harewood, FSCJ Professor of Art
Dr. Maia McGuire, University of Florida Sea Grant extension agent
We will conclude the evening by joining Hernandez for a guided tour of her A/Hogar exhibit.
Edmari Hernandez Silen
While originally born in Arecibo, Puerto Rico, Edmari Hernandez Silen grew up travelling. Raised in a military family, she travelled to various places including Germany, Italy, Alaska and Florida and discovered at an early age that art was a universal representation of subjects that could be understood across languages and culture. Hernandez earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of North Florida and recently completed her Master of Fine Arts degree at the University of South Carolina in Studio Art. Now back in Florida, Hernandez continues to create work that explores her personal connection with the ocean and the changes occurring within the environment between Puerto Rico to Florida.
William Dally
Dr. Bill Dally has been a practicing coastal engineer for nearly 38 years. He received his Ph.D. in Engineering Mechanics from the University of Florida and specializes in coastal processes and engineering. In addition to working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers early in his career, he was a member of the faculty at the Florida Institute of Technology for 11 years before starting his own company, Surfbreak Engineering Sciences, Inc. Dr. Dally returned to academia in 2013 as an Associate Professor of Civil and Coastal Engineering at the University of North Florida and continues his research on innovative beach protection technologies.
Dustin Harewood
Born in New York City in the 1980s, Dustin Harewood developed his passion for the arts at a young age. Recognizing and nurturing his artistic energy, Dustin’s parents encouraged him to become a junior member of the Brooklyn Museum at just 7 years old. During high school, Dustin’s family returned to Barbados. Upon graduation, Dustin returned to the U.S. to continue his education receiving his bachelor’s degree from North Carolina Central University and his Master of Fine Arts at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
Maia McGuire
Maia McGuire grew up on the islands of Bermuda where she developed an interest in marine biology at an early age. She received a B.S. in marine biology from Florida Institute of Technology and a Ph.D. in marine biology from the University of Miami. In 2001, she joined the Florida Sea Grant Extension Program at the University of Florida where she conducts informal education programs on topics including marine debris, climate change and invasive species. In 2015, McGuire was awarded a NOAA Marine Debris Outreach and Education grant to start the Florida Microplastic Awareness Project with the goal of raising awareness about the sources of and threats posed by microplastics in the coastal environment.
Hosts
Maiya Elaine
Maiya Elaine is a classically trained visual artist, technical theatre major and graduate from Douglas Anderson School of the Arts. Currently enrolled in Florida State College at Jacksonville’s Bachelor’s Digital Media program, she utilizes the various tools and techniques in scenic painting and prop making in her work today. Her first solo show, “Breach,” explored themes and techniques for a new series in her studio at CoRK Art Studios where she combines her background in traditional techniques with digital in hopes to inspire others through the power of artistic expression. She is also the cultural correspondent for First Coast Living’s monthly segment, “The Artist’s Corner with Maiya Elaine,” where she discusses arts and cultural events happening in Northeast Florida.
Christopher Perle
Dr. Christopher Perle is a Professor of Biology at Florida State College of Jacksonville and teaches courses in Biology, Marine Biology, Oceanography and Hydroponics & Aquaculture. In addition, Dr. Perle maintains an external consultancy focused on providing scientific research expertise regarding the habitat utilization of large aquatic predators. Dr. Perle’s doctoral research at Stanford University included ecological examinations of white sharks, pacific bluefin tuna and manta rays spanning habitats from the equator to Prince William Sound, Alaska.
