Exciting Developments at Tybee Island Marine Center
On the sunny shores of Tybee Island, visitors are met with a delightful surprise the moment they step into the Marine Center. Just to the right of the welcoming gift shop and counter, there’s a fascinating exhibit that is sure to catch anyone’s attention. This vibrant showcase features interactive displays that delve into whale and ship traffic, their eating habits, and even a magnificent model of the center’s beloved adopted right whale named Smoke.
Meet Smoke: The Beloved Right Whale
Smoke is a striking three-dimensional model intricately designed to resemble the real-life whale. This thoughtful project took Joy Davis, the artist behind the exhibit, seven months to complete. Joy meticulously collaborated with biologists and fellow artists, gathering materials, experimenting, and sometimes even starting over to ensure that every detail was just right.
As a matriarch in a dwindling population of right whales and a mother of four, Smoke has become a symbol of the challenges faced by marine life. “It felt like I poured every single hour into this sculpture,” Joy explained, emphasizing the care that went into making the model as authentic and educational as possible.
Art Meets Education
But that’s just one of several projects Joy has been working on at the Marine Center. Along with Polly Cooper, she is creating a large clay tile mural set to enhance the educational experiences in the center’s classroom, with an unveiling planned for Spring 2025. The excitement doesn’t stop there — a new sea turtle exhibit focused on the various native species will debut next month!
Joy, who has a background in marine education and science, is particularly passionate about employing art as a tool for education. “Everybody learns differently, so it’s important for us to have various ways to teach,” she said. The Executive Director of the Marine Center, Chantal Audran, shares this vision, declaring that real beauty arises when art and science intersect. Acknowledging the complex designs found in nature, she adds, “It’s all connected, and we want to reach more people.”
Accessible Learning for All
As the Marine Center gears up to roll out a series of new exhibits over the next two years, accessibility is a priority. Students will soon have the chance to interact with the new tile mural by feeling the textures of various animals represented within their habitats. Funded in segments, the mural aims to teach about the anatomy of a barrier island.
Each section of the mural will depict a different habitat, with the completed first portion showcasing the vibrant salt marsh. Future sections will explore the maritime forest, the sandy beach, and Gray’s Reef, located about 17 miles off the coast. Each portion consists of 50 tiles measuring 10 inches by 10 inches!
Introducing Sea Turtles of Georgia
Another thrilling opening is the upcoming Sea Turtles of Georgia exhibit that will highlight all five local species: the green sea turtle, loggerhead, leatherback, Kemp’s ridley, and hawksbill turtles. Here, visitors can learn to identify these remarkable creatures using their beak and shell shapes, along with colors — just like scientists do!
This engaging installation will showcase each turtle in various rescue scenarios, from stranding to nesting. While the exact unveiling date has yet to be revealed, anticipation is already building among locals and tourists alike.
Embracing the Coastal Community
Tybee Island, boasting 14 barrier islands along its coastline, continues to draw visitors, with the Marine Center seeing around 50,000 visitors annually. With its proximity to Savannah, the center aims to take advantage of its popularity to educate people about the diverse ecosystems found in the area.
“This is our chance to share more about the incredible research projects happening across all barrier islands,” Chantal emphasized. With the combination of art, science, and community engagement, the Tybee Island Marine Center is poised to become a hub of learning and appreciation for the coastal environment.
