Helping raise awareness through art 

The Secret Garden, an informal art school with an emphasis on nature and protecting the environment is set to stage “The Journey of the Blue Whale” an aducational exhibition about the Pygmy Blue Whale that lives in Sri Lankan waters. 

Owner of The Secret Garden Priscilla Caren is a passionate advocator of using art as a medium of educating both children and adults alike to preserve nature and the environment. Priscilla states that they selected the Pygmy Blue Whale as their subject because these gentle mammals face many threats from environment pollution and shipping vessels. “The Pygmy Blue Whale is a sub species of whale that lives in the Sri Lankan waters. It does not migrate like other whales because it has enough food throught the year and is ideal to have their calves, But these creatures face threats from pollution, whale watching and shipping. We want to raise awareness of their plight,” added Priscilla. The school holds two exhibitions annually with one focusing on education. Acrylic on canvas, and wood and watercolours are the mediums used in this exhibition. 

Another special feature of this exhibition is that there will be an address by the acclaimed Asha de Vos who is a Marine Biologist, educator, hydrophile and story teller who will address the children on the leviathans which are founds in the waters of Sri Lanka. There will also be a quiz and a chance to build a life sized whale sculpture in the sand. 

The exhibition and associated activities will take place at the Lavinia Beach Resort, 43/5 Samudra Mawatha, Mount Lavinia. It is open to the public and it is a free event. 

For more information, call on 94 0773017796. 

By Tina Edward Gunawardhana