Step Into Catalina’s Kelp Forest Without Getting Wet

Catalina Museum for Art & History is opening an exhibition that does something most underwater documentaries can’t – it lets you actually walk through a kelp forest.

The Blue Forest, created by marine scientist and artist Oriana Poindexter, transforms the museum into an immersive underwater environment using life-size cyanotype images printed on flowing silk panels.

How It Works

Poindexter collected native marine flora while freediving off Catalina’s shoreline, then used historic photographic processes to create cyanotypes – those distinctive blue-toned prints – on silk.

The panels depict giant kelp, elk kelp, and other local species at actual size, hung in a way that mimics how they move and exist underwater.

As you walk through the space, light filters through the translucent silk, creating the effect of being submerged. For the first time in her work, Poindexter has added an underwater soundscape built from her own ocean recordings, which deepens the immersive quality.

It’s not just visual – you’re surrounded by the sounds of the underwater world too.

Marine Scientist and Artist Oriana Poindexter

Why It Matters

Kelp forests are one of Catalina Island’s defining natural features, but most people never get to experience them up close. The Blue Forest bridges that gap by making the underwater ecosystem accessible without requiring scuba gear or freediving skills.

It’s both meditative and educational – you’re learning about the biodiversity while also experiencing something that feels almost spiritual in its quietness.

Sheila Bergman, Executive Director of Catalina Museum for Art & History, describes Poindexter’s work as embodying the museum’s mission to celebrate the unique art, history, and environment of Catalina.

The exhibition does exactly that by taking something scientifically important and making it emotionally resonant.

The Artist’s Intent

Poindexter describes the experience she’s trying to create: “I hope visitors will feel the sense of calm, curiosity, and connection that I experience underwater. Entering the forest of cyanotype silks is an invitation to slow down, breathe, and recognize yourself as a small part of something much larger.”

That framing matters. This isn’t just about looking at pretty ocean plants – it’s about understanding your place within a larger ecosystem. The installation functions as what Poindexter calls “a portal into Catalina’s underwater world,” offering an encounter that’s intimate, meditative, and educational all at once.

A Year-Long Run

The exhibition runs for a whole year, giving you plenty of time to make the trip to Catalina. There’s an opening reception in early November if you want to experience it with a crowd and possibly meet the artist.

Poindexter is also available for interviews, which suggests there will be programming and talks throughout the run.