An Evening of Kelp with Josie Iselin (OPY events)

Join artist, educator, and marine scientist for an evening devoted to the wonder of bull kelp forests, celebrating the launch of her new book The Mysterious World of the Bull Kelp Forest. Through images, stories, and conversation, Iselin brings art and science together to reveal the beauty, complexity, and urgency of these vital ocean forests along the North Pacific coast.

Drawing from decades of creative practice and her work with the Above/Below campaign, Iselin offers a visually rich and deeply informed exploration of kelp as habitat, climate ally, and cultural touchstone—inviting curiosity, care, and stewardship for one of the ocean’s most important ecosystems.

The Ocean Photographer of the Year exhibition will be open from 5.30pm. Come early to enjoy the gallery before our presentation from Josie between 7pm - 8pm. The exhibition will close at 8.30pm.

Bar and snacks will be available. Check out local dining options on the OPY eventpage.

Josie Iselin

Josie Iselin is a photographer, author, and designer of many books, with her last few focusing on the world of seaweeds and kelp. Her most recent book, The Curious World of Seaweed (Heyday Books, 2019) is the basis for a traveling exhibition of prints by the same name. A new book, The Mysterious World of the Bull Kelp Forest, will be released by Heyday Books in March 2026.

Josie is the co-director with Marianna Leuschel of Above/Below, a campaign to bring the recognition afforded forests on land to the kelp forests below the ocean’s surface. Above/Below’s signature effort is a web-based book titled The Mysterious World of Bull Kelp, released in 2023. It has been accessed by over 40,000 (as of 02/26) kelp-curious learners. Josie is the chief content creator, writing the text, and working closely with illustrator Ellen Litwiller. Above/Below is creating a similar webstory about the native Olympia oyster: The Alluring World of Olympia Oysters.

Josie holds a BA in Visual and Environmental Studies from Harvard and an MFA from San Francisco State University. For over twenty years Josie has used her flatbed scanner and computer exclusively for generating imagery. Synthesizing the scientific stories of our coast is her overriding passion, bringing thoughtfulness and stewardship to this extraordinary place of discovery.

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Host or Publisher West End Arts District