Our writing nook features an art-enriched creative letter-writing project, Love Letters to the Sea (click here for instructions in PDF format), where visitors can utilize the provided writing table, art supplies, and writing tools to draft their own ocean-inspired art. Building on provided prompts, and with samples of student art and writing to help inspire, visitors will be encouraged to reflect on various issues, and address them by writing letters and designing envelopes of their own.
Created by Sondra Weiss, the founder of Lost Art of Love Letters, this project encourages people to write letters for mental wellness, social justice, environmental protection, and community connection. SBMM believes this new exhibit is even more relevant now as it enables youth to tap into their emotions and concerns about ocean protection, global change, times of crisis, isolation, and grief by expressing themselves creatively through writing and art. Letters can be sent to friends, relatives, government representatives, change-makers, advocacy organizations, and businesses.
Love Letters to the Sea (click here for materials) also provides a great opportunity for teachers and parents to practice clever wordplay, creative writing, art skills, and activism. It is the hope of SBMM that this new exhibit will be a healing place for visitors to express their feelings. Instructions and resources for this project are now available online here.
Learn About Our Other Museum Exhibits
Santa Barbara Maritime Museum has several other fascinating exhibits, and there's something fun for everyone in the family. Come learn about 13,000 years of human history in the Santa Barbara Channel, including the Chumash Indians, deep sea divers, shipwrecks, commercial fishing, and so much more. We also have several contemporary exhibits about the evolution of surfing, oil spills, whales, and marine life. There are several fun and interactive exhibits and activities for kids too.