Colorful illustrations of ocean invertebrates from Ernst Haeckel.

Books, Film & The Arts

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Illustration of colorful nudibranchs from Ernst Haeckel.

Art Forms in Nature

Images of marine species from Ernst Haeckel, famous science illustrator.

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A piece of the Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef exhibit.

When Art Meets Science: The Hyberbolic Crochet Coral Reef

A dish of halibut

America’s ever-changing relationship with seafood

Black and White photo of the Western Flyer on the ocean.

Western Flyer: A New Chapter

The colorful parrotfish sculpture is made entirely of ocean plastic trash.

Turning Ocean Trash to Treasure

“This shark was cruising low along the reef known as Alcyone. Her left eye was glancing up toward other hammerheads when I took this shot from below.” -- Nature's Best photographer, Alan Studley.Equipment Used to Capture the Shot: Nikon D300; Tokin

Ocean Views from Nature's Best Photos

Are You An Educator?

At Smithsonian Ocean, we have lesson plans, activities, and resources to help you engage your students in the wonders of our oceans.

see all lesson plans see lesson plans with artistic activities

Books, Film & The Arts Articles

Cover of the Book Citizens of the Sea

Citizens of the Sea

Musician Sam Lardner and friends created the 14-song CD Oceans Are Talking to inspire kids and adults to help save the ocean and the creatures living in it.

Five Questions for Musician Sam Lardner

A piece of the Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef exhibit.

When Art Meets Science: The Hyberbolic Crochet Coral Reef

A photo of a 2011 installation by artist Shih Chieh Huang, featuring his illuminated creations made from everyday objects.

When Art Meets Science: Exhibition Inspired by Bioluminescence

Sound artist Halsey Burgund performs his composition Ocean Voices.

Five Questions for Halsey Burgund, Creator of Ocean Voices

A tiny yellow goby living inside an abandoned can on the seafloor; Suruga Bay, Japan

Portraits of Planet Ocean: The Photography of Brian Skerry

The Ocean of Life by Callum Roberts, US cover

Five Questions for Callum Roberts, Author and Professor

A manatee swims in Crystal River, Florida.

Brian Skerry Voting Results

Happy World Ocean Day!

Coral Letters: A Message from the Corals of Curacao

Colorful scaleworm on a seastar

Pops of Polychaete Color

A sculpture of a giant octopus made of ocean debris

Washed Ashore: Art to Save the Sea

A great white shark in the waters of the coast of Guadelupe, Mexico.

How Realistic is the Shark Science in "The Shallows"?

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Ernst Haekel