Oregon Coast Council for the Arts presents a new exhibit by local artist Rena Ekmanis: “Pelagic Wilderness” will be on display from Sunday, Jan. 21 through Sunday, Feb. 25, in the Upstairs Gallery at Newport Visual Arts Center.

An artist and natural science illustrator, Ekmanis’s work represents her passion for, love of, and concern for the ocean and its inhabitants. Working in a variety of mediums – including watercolor, acrylics, clay, and even beach-collected plastic debris – she creates stunning depictions of the sea and marine life. The goal is not only to pay homage to the grandeur of the pelagic wilderness but also to express her concern for its future and, essentially, to cry for help on its behalf. Ekmanis’s work, while alluring, has foreboding undertones intended to portray a message of conservation.