Contact: Janeen Mason, Curator

Janeen@LighthouseArts.org

(561) 746-3101

Lighthouse ArtCenter

373 Tequesta Drive

Tequesta, FL 33469

MEDIA KIT

Illuminating the Deep

Lighthouse ArtCenter

December 22, 2016 – March 4, 2017

Funding provided by:

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CONTENTS Page

1. Press Release 2

Illuminating the Deep

The Fine Art of Exploration

2. Illuminating the Deep: The Fine Art of Exploration 4

Lecture by Dr. Edie Widder

Gallery 1: Illuminating the Deep

3. Exhibition Overview 5

4. Dr. Edie Widder Ph.D. 6

Biography

5. Dr. Steve Bernstein Ph.D. 7

Biography

6. Lighthouse Art Center, Nancy Politsch and Janeen Mason 8

Profile and Biographies

Gallery 2: The Fine Art of Exploration

7. Exhibition Overview 9

The Art of Else Bostlemann

Gallery 3: 3D Painting

8. The Tilt Brush from Google 10

Appendices

9. Image Library 11

10. Sly Eye for the Shy Guy 16

Dr. Edie Widder

Oceanography, Vol 20, No. 4

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Janeen Mason

Curator, Lighthouse ArtCenter

Ph: (561) 746-3101

Janeen@LighthouseArts.org

www.LighthouseArts.org

Lighthouse ArtCenter Shines Light on the Mysteries of the Deep

Tequesta, FL – September 6, 2016 – The mysteries of the ocean depths will be revealed in an

exciting and stimulating three-part exhibition opening at the Lighthouse ArtCenter on December

22, 2016 and running through March 4, 2017.

Centerpiece of the season-long show is Illuminating the Deep, which showcases the

collaborative genius of internationally-recognized authority on bioluminescence and area

resident, Dr. Edith Widder and her colleague and artist Dr. Steve Bernstein.

In Illuminating the Deep, Bernstein and Widder have combined art and science to share

some of the bizarre and wonderful creatures from our planet’s last frontier. Together, they

explore how bioluminescence plays such an important part in life deep down in the ocean, and

illustrate the beauty of the marine life that inhabits the deep sea through vivid works of art.

One such piece of art is a life-size image of the Giant Squid, filmed for the first time in its

natural habitat by Dr. Widder. Visitors to Illuminating the Deep can even take a selfie of

themselves with the Giant Squid.

Illuminating the Deep also sheds light on the threats faced by the ocean and its inhabitants,

and what everyone can do in their everyday life to preserve and protect the planet’s largest

ecosystem. A particular focus of the exhibition is a display showing the health of the Indian

River Lagoon and how the waterway impacts life in the deep sea.

"This is a rare encounter with life beyond the average person's reach," said Lighthouse

ArtCenter's Executive Director Nancy Politsch. "We're thrilled to have Dr. Widder and Dr.

Bernstein’s thought-provoking exhibition and striking art for this one-of-a-kind exhibit. Our

guests will be astonished and fascinated to view images of creatures so different from what we

know.”

The Lighthouse ArtCenter’s presentation of deep sea art, science and social concerns also

features the art of Else Bostlemann in The Fine Art of Exploration.

In the 1930s, another type of explorer dove into the deep in a bathysphere, a metal sphere

lowered by cable a half mile deep. William Beebe became a renowned expert on creatures of

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the deep, because he was the first to see what sailors of old fabled - odd, large luminescent

animals unlike any fish or mollusk caught and consumed nearer the surface.

Beebe described what he saw to the expedition artist, Else Bostlemann, who sketched and

painted Beebe's recollections. Her artwork from nearly a century ago, used by National

Geographic Magazine to illustrate Beebe's dramatic descriptions of the deep, will be part of

Lighthouse ArtCenter's original art installation in The Fine Art of Exploration.

Wrapping up the deep sea experience at the Lighthouse ArtCenter is the opportunity for guests

to create their own bioluminescence experience. Guests will be able to paint in 3D using virtual

reality electronic brushes and friends will be able to watch the creativity on screen.

"If there is a fourth part to our exhibition, it would have to be our concern for all life in our

oceans," said Lighthouse ArtCenter curator Janeen Mason. "We have seen in Florida that our

lifestyles on land can have great consequences for the creatures of the sea. We hope

Illuminating the Deep can also provide ways everyone can make a difference.”

In a special addition, Dr. Widder will give a lecture bringing together many of the elements that

make up the exhibitions. Entitled Illuminating the Deep: The Fine Art of Exploration, in

this presentation Dr. Widder will describe some of the earliest expeditions that Bostlemann

illustrated and contrast them with her own experiences exploring the deep, including her

breakthrough capturing the first images of a Giant Squid in its natural habitat.

Illuminating the Deep

(Also featuring The Fine Art of Exploration)

December 22, 2016, through March 4, 2017

Opening Reception January 5, 2017, 5:30pm – 7:30pm

Lighthouse ArtCenter: Gallery Square North, 373 Tequesta Drive, Tequesta, FL 33469

Information and Directions: www.LighthouseArts.org or (561) 746-3101

Gallery Hours: Monday through Friday 10:00am – 4:00pm, Saturday 10:00am – 2:00pm

Admission: Free for members, $10.00 for non-members

Illuminating the Deep: The Fine Art of Exploration

Lecture by Dr. Widder, Saturday, January 7, 2017, 5:30pm – 7:30pm at the Lighthouse

ArtCenter. $15.00 for members, $20.00 for non-members. This is a ticketed event with limited

seating. Call (561) 746-3101 to purchase tickets in advance.

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Illuminating The Deep: The Fine Art of Exploration

Lecture by Edith Widder, Ph.D.

In the earliest days of deep ocean exploration cameras were too cumbersome to carry into the

depths and too insensitive to capture images of this dimly lit realm. Early explorers had to rely

on their words to convey the passing strangeness of this, our last earthly frontier. Alternatively,

they could work with an artist to help them better convey what they had seen. One of the

earliest and most prolific of these artists was Else Bostlemann. During four Bathysphere

oceanographic expeditions with the Tropical Research Department of the New York Zoological

Society, under Dr. William Beebe’s direction, Mrs. Bostlemann executed over 300 plates of

deep-sea, pelagic, and in-shore fish. Many of her paintings were published in the National

Geographic Magazines in conjunction with Dr. Beebe’s accounts. She was striving for realism,

often with so little to go on that she made mistakes and created unintentional abstractions.

Dr. Edie Widder is a modern day deep-sea explorer who also works with an artist, Dr. Steve

Bernstein, to help convey the magical scenes she has witnessed while making hundreds of dives

in deep diving submersibles. But while Bostlemann strove for realism Bernstein uses Widder’s

high resolution photographs to create brilliant abstractions.

Edie will describe some of the earliest expeditions that Bostlemann illustrated and contrast them

with her own experiences exploring the deep, including her recent breakthrough of capturing

the first images ever recorded of a giant squid in its natural habitat.

Illuminating the Deep: The Fine Art of Exploration

Lecture by Edith Widder, Ph.D.

Saturday, January 7, 2017, 5:30pm – 7:30pm

Lighthouse ArtCenter

Gallery Square North, 373 Tequesta Drive, Tequesta, FL 33469

$15.00 for members, $20.00 for non-members

This is a ticketed event with limited seating. Call (561) 746-3101 to purchase tickets in advance.

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GALLERY 1: ILLUMINATING THE DEEP

Exhibition Overview

The ocean is the largest and least known ecosystem on the planet. It covers 71% of the

earth's surface, yet we have only explored 5% of this vast water world. In just the small

amount of ocean we have explored, we've already seen that it is inhabited by some of

the most bizarre and fantastic creatures you can imagine, such as the giant squid, an

animal so mysterious and elusive that it was long thought to be a myth. We now know

the Giant Squid is real and they inhabit a fantastic realm filled with amazing creatures,

many of which make their own light.

However, we are endangering the ocean and creatures like the giant squid. Through

pollution and runoff, overfishing and bottom trawling, we are not only threatening the

sea life and ocean environment but our own well-being. We rely on the ocean just as

much as it relies on us. It's up to everyone to make a difference.

In Illuminating the Deep, you can explore and discover some of the bizarre and

wonderful creatures from our planet's last frontier, and learn how you can act to preserve

and protect the ocean and deep sea marine life for generations to come.

Illuminating the Deep comprises three parts:

Explore: Discover what bioluminescence is and how deep sea marine life uses it to

survive and defend themselves.

Learn: Find out how human activity impacts the state of the oceans and the life that

inhabits the deep sea.

Act: Check out the things that you can do in your everyday life to ensure the waterways

and ocean are in good health.

The exhibition includes amazing pieces of deep sea marine life art created collaboratively by Dr.

Edie Widder and Dr. Steve Bernstein. Widder provided Bernstein with raw images of deep-sea

animals, which transformed into works of art, retaining the integrity of the animal but adding

color, intensity and vitality. Illuminating the Deep also features a 22-feet long life-size

representation of the Giant Squid on the floor of the gallery so visitors can experience the size

of a Giant Squid; walk on it, lie down on it and take selfies on it.

Illuminating the Deep is a fascinating exhibition that is a stimulating, thought-provoking and

fun experience for adults, kids and families alike.

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Dr. Edie Widder Ph.D. Biography

Edie Widder is a deep-sea explorer and MacArthur Fellow who specializes in the study of

bioluminescence (the light chemically produced by fireflies and many ocean organisms). She

has been a leader in helping to design and invent new submersible instrumentation and

equipment to enable unobtrusive deep-sea observations. One of her inventions, the Eye-in-the­

Sea, has produced footage of rare sharks, jellyfish, and crustaceans, and discovered a new

species of large squid. Her research in bioluminescence has been featured in BBC, PBS,

Discovery Channel and National Geographic television productions, and her photos of

bioluminescent organisms have appeared in such magazines as National Geographic, Ocean

Realm, National Wildlife, Scientific American and Discover.

She received her undergraduate degree in Biology from Tufts University, her MS in Biochemistry

and her Ph.D. in Neurobiology from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Two years after

completing her Ph.D., she became certified as a Scientific Research Pilot for Atmospheric Diving

Systems.

In 2005, in order to help protect the ocean she loves, Widder co-founded the Ocean Research &

Conservation Association (ORCA), a not-for-profit dedicated to the study and protection of

marine ecosystems and the species they sustain through development of innovative

technologies and science-based conservation action.

www.teamorca.org

www.facebook.com/TeamORCA

www.twitter.com/teamorca

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Dr. Steve Bernstein Ph.D. Biography

An accomplished scientist and inventor, Steve Bernstein's inventions have been awarded

multiple patents and he has co-authored a large number of publications. His work has ranged

from exploring the secrets of marine bioluminescence in deep-sea submersibles to developing

and working with robotics and imaging techniques in medical research.

Bernstein has collaborated with Dr. Edie Widder on the development of a multitude of marine

instruments and together they have embarked on a wide variety of scientific cruises

investigating marine bioluminescence. As a result, Bernstein has undertaken many deep-sea

submersible dives, and over the years has been lucky enough to travel to the depths of the

world's oceans.

Having received his Ph.D. in Neurophysiology and Cell Biology from the University of California,

Santa Barbara, Bernstein founded BioTek Solutions / Ventana Medical Systems, a company

which specializes in developing automated advanced testing in pathology laboratories. In 1997

he founded and is the current CEO of QualTek Molecular Laboratories, which develops next

generation testing for personalized medicine.

Each piece created by Bernstein in Illuminating the Deep is created from a digital

photograph and then transformed using an assortment of digital filtering techniques. Dr. Edie

Widder provided Bernstein with raw images of deep-sea animals, which he was able to

transform into true works of art. The integrity of the animal has been retained, but Bernstein's

imagination and technique has imbued his work with incredible color, intensity and vitality.

Bernstein is permanent artist at the Cove Gallery in Laguna Beach, California, and his work has

been shown at galleries in California and Florida. Bernstein’s work resides in private collections

in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand, as well as the offices of the

Secretary of State, Florida, and the New Zealand Consul-General's Official Residence, Los

Angeles.

www.sabernstein.com

www.facebook.com/artstevebernstein

instagram @stevebernsteinart

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The Lighthouse ArtCenter

Since 1964, the Lighthouse ArtCenter, a member-supported nonprofit 501(c)3 organization, has

provided visual and performing arts for the community through unique collections, engaging

exhibitions and cultural programs, a dynamic School of Art and diverse outreach activities. The

Lighthouse ArtCenter Gallery and School of Art has six galleries and serves more than 40,000

people each year through its exhibitions and special events. The School of Art offers classes for

children and adults, beginner through professional levels, such as ceramics, drawing, encaustic,

jewelry, fused glass, painting (acrylics, oils and watercolors), photography, Photoshop, portrait

and figure instruction, Plein Air, sculpture and more. The ceramics department features four

firing methods with electric, gas, soda, and raku kilns. More than 2,500 adult and youth

students are enrolled each year. Special needs classes are offered to adults and children. More

than 400 children attend our educational summer ArtCamps for ages 4-12. Scholarships are

offered to adults and children in need. ArtReach programs provide educational art experiences

for underserved populations. Lighthouse ArtCenter is an equal opportunity arts organization and

employer. For more information about Lighthouse ArtCenter and its upcoming exhibitions,

including Illuminating the Deep and The Fine Art of Exploration, please view the website

at www.LighthouseArts.org.

Nancy Politsch, Executive Director, Lighthouse ArtCenter

After 38 years in wealth management, Nancy Politsch took early retirement and became

Executive Director at Lighthouse ArtCenter in Tequesta. She served on the Maryland Hall Center

for the Creative Arts Board of Directors Executive Committee and Chairman of the Finance

Committee. Besides Maryland Hall, Politsch has been deeply involved with other non-profit

organizations, including being a founding member of Leadership through Athletics, the Kidney

foundation, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of the Chesapeake and Paul's Place. Politsch established her

own fused glass art studio and has published two books of her photography. Politsch was

named one of Maryland's Top 100 Women by The Daily Record, which recognizes outstanding

women who are both professional and community leaders.

Janeen Mason, Curator, Lighthouse ArtCenter

Janeen Mason moved into her office at the Lighthouse Art Center and unpacked 25 years of

experience in the field that includes fine art, solo museum exhibitions, group shows and

festivals, marketing, promotion, licensing and publishing, as well as service in the arts at the

local, state and national levels. A passionate artist and arts advocate, Mason was the Vice Chair

of the Florida Council on Arts and Culture. She serves on the Board of Directors of Citizens for

Florida Arts, and is a member of the Strategic Planning Committee for the State of the Arts in

Florida. She is the author/illustrator of fourteen national award-winning children's picture books,

and has co-hosted a weekly radio program on the arts. She founded the internationally

recognized Solidarity Fish Project which creates monumental temporary public art installations

created by ordinary people doing extraordinary things.

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GALLERY 2: The Fine Art of Exploration

Exhibition Overview: The Art of Else Bostlemann

In the 1920s, Dr. William Beebe, a naturalist and Director of the Department of Tropical

Research of the New York Zoological Society descended into the ocean's depths wearing only

his swimsuit, rubber-soled sneakers and a copper helmet. Equipped with an ordinary rubber

hose and a small hand pump, he descended eight fathoms or 48 feet.

On June 6, 1930, Dr. Beebe and Otis Barton, an engineer, entered a hollow steel sphere, a

bathysphere, sealed themselves into this bubble that measured less than 5 feet in diameter and

dropped headlong into the Atlantic Ocean near Bermuda. A single steel cable connected them

to the surface. They reached 800 feet (a monumental achievement) and what they viewed

through their three-inch thick quartz windows altered the course of their lives. Beebe and

Barton continued deeper and deeper dives and on August 15, 1934, in a revamped bathysphere

and with financial help from National Geographic Society, they reached 3,028 feet.

For the research, Else Bostlemann (nee Von Roeder) was

hired as the expedition artist to illustrate the unbelievable sea

life Beebe and Barton described gliding through the depths.

"Mrs. Else Bostlemann gave her best in the colored paintings

of deep-sea creatures, and when there is only my memory to

assist and check, the artist must indeed be good." Half Mile Down, William Beebe

During four oceanographic expeditions with the Department of Tropical Research of the New York Zoological Society,

under Dr. Beebe's direction, Mrs. Bostlemann executed over

300 plates of deep-sea, pelagic, and in-shore fish. Many

paintings were published in the National Geographic

Magazines in conjunction with Dr. Beebe's accounts. National

History Magazine also printed her work.

Mrs. Bostlemann was a painter, a craftsperson, a designer, an illustrator, a commercial artist

and a writer. She wrote and illustrated her own children's books as well as illustrated books for

other children's authors.

The original artwork created by Else Bostlemann is on loan to the Lighthouse ArtCenter by the

Bostlemann family. This collection has never before been publicly exhibited.

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GALLERY 3: 3D Painting

The Tilt Brush from Google

Else Bostlemann's artwork introduced the world to

unexpected bioluminescent creatures in the deep sea, and

Dr. Edie Widder discovered how common light-producing

organisms are in the ocean. In the realm where rays from

the sun never penetrate, Dr. Widder explains

bioluminescence as their "language of light.”

Supposing light was the only language? That’s exactly how

the Tilt Brush from Google works, and the Lighthouse

ArtCenter introduces this newly-released virtual reality

technology especially for the Illuminating the Deep

exhibition.

Tilt Brush allows you paint in 3D; the room becomes the

canvas and imagination the palette. Using the dynamic 3D

brushes and an intuitive interface, it is possible to create

amazing life-size three-dimensional brush strokes using fire,

stars, and be immersed in the experience of

bioluminescence.

With Tilt Brush, 3D artists can walk around and inside their art, look at it from above, below

and through, and share their creations. It’s an incredible experience and tons of fun. Digital

screen shots of the art can even be emailed to share with friends and family.

Tilt Brush at the Lighthouse ArtCenter

December 22, 2016 – March 4, 2017

Appointments necessary (appointments can be made from December 15, 2016)

$15.00 for 10 minutes

Call Sheri Gansz at (561) 746-3101

For more information, visit www.LighthouseArts.org.

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APPENDIX 1

Image Library

Illuminating the Deep

Heads or Tails

Deep Sea Cucumber (Peniagone)

Actual Piece: 40" H x 60" W, Digital Art on Metal

Image available as jpg or tiff 300dpi or 600dpi

One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish

Common Black Devil Angler Fish (Melanocetus johnsoni)

Actual piece: 36" H x 60" W, Digital Art on Metal

Image available as jpg or tiff 300dpi or 600dpi

Color Splash

Deep Sea Squid (Histioteuthis sp.)

Actual piece: 40" H x 80" W, Digital Art on Metal

Image available as jpg or tiff 300dpi or 600dpi

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Giant Squid (Architeuthis)

Actual Piece: 22’ L x 8’ W, Floor Print on Vinyl

Image available as jpg or tiff 300dpi or 600dpi

Dr. Edie Widder Ph.D. and Dr. Steve Bernstein Ph.D.

Creators and Collaborators of Illuminating the Deep

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Logos

Available in different sizes and resolutions.

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The Fine Art of Exploration

Lanternfish

Else Bostlemann

Available as 300dpi

Fairy Fish

Else Bostlemann

Dolichopteryx (Opisthoproctidae) Available as 300depi

Else Bostlemann in Bermuda

Available as 300dpi

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The Tilt Brush from Google

Dr. Edie Widder

Demonstrating the fun that can be had with the Tilt Brush from Google

Available as 300 kB file

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APPENDIX 2

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