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Photo caption: Ghost Net Tapestries
Biscayne National Park opened “Ghost Net Tapestries,” an art exhibition designed to foster stewardship in our oceans, on July 8.
Over the past 12 years, artist Suzy Pappas and her Coastal Cleanup Corporation volunteers have removed thousands of miles of rope and lost nets from Biscayne National Park’s islands and waters. She has cleaned and sorted some of that debris to create “Ghost Net Tapestries,” a collection of multi-colored fiber art wall-hangings.
Twenty of her pieces are being shown for the first time ever in Biscayne National Park’s Dante Fascell Visitor Center Gallery. The exhibit will be on display from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through Sept. 18.
“My art pieces reflect my experiences protecting and restoring the coastal environment through volunteer marine debris cleanups, public education and marine turtle conservation efforts in Biscayne National Park,” Pappas said. “Through my art, I hope to nudge people in the direction of thinking about our planet’s ocean and how we are changing it through our collective actions.”
Suzy’s husband, George, frames the pieces using pallet wood that washes ashore in the park.
“Ghost Net Tapestries” is part of the park’s Community Artists Program, started in 1997 as an outlet for the works of artists who are inspired by the beauty of Biscayne National Park. Over the years, the gallery has hosted over 100 shows featuring photography, paintings and drawings in a variety of media, fiber, clay, printmaking and sculpture. The program is made possible by the Florida National Parks Association and The Alliance For Florida’s National Parks.
For more details about the exhibit, visit the Dante Facell Visitor Center Gallery website at www.nps.gov/bisc/planyourvisit/the-dante-fascell-visitor-center-gallery.htm or contact Park Ranger Gary Bremen at 305-338-6584 or Gary_Bremen@nps.gov
About Biscayne National Park: Within sight of downtown Miami, Biscayne National Park protects a rare combination of subtropical islands, mangrove shoreline, biodiverse coral reefs, and 10,000 years of human history. The park is ninety-five percent water, and encompasses the northernmost Florida Keys, so most of the park is only accessible by boat. Home to a vast array of species, visitors to Biscayne might encounter sea turtles, dolphins, sharks, stingrays, and the West Indian manatee. To learn more, please visit the park’s website. For regular updates from the park, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @BiscayneNPS.
