Award winning ocean advocate and science communicator Danni Washington is once again using creativity as a gateway to environmental awareness, as her Art by the Sea Youth Arts Festival returns to Miami Beach on Sunday, March 22, 2026, in observance of World Water Day.
Set to take place at the Miami Beach Bandshell from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM, the free, family-friendly event blends ocean science, artistic expression, and cultural storytelling into an immersive experience designed to inspire the next generation of environmental stewards.
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A Vision Rooted in Culture and Community
For Washington, Art by the Sea is an extension of her mission to make ocean conservation accessible, relatable, and inclusive. A second-generation Jamaican, Washington’s Caribbean connection comes through her mother, who was born in Jamaica, raised in The Bahamas, and later migrated to South Florida. That regional upbringing has shaped how she approaches environmental storytelling—grounding it in culture, community, and lived experience.
Her work consistently reflects a belief that science should not exist in isolation, but rather be woven into the everyday realities of the communities it seeks to serve.
“Art by the Sea creates an entry point for young people to see themselves as part of the ocean’s story,” Washington shared. “By merging art, science, and culture, we make environmental engagement accessible, joyful, and deeply rooted in community.”
From Idea to Movement
First launched in 2011 at South Pointe Park in Miami Beach, Art by the Sea later found a home at Historic Virginia Key Beach Park, where it evolved into a beloved community event. Now returning to Miami Beach in 2026, the festival enters a new chapter with an expanded focus on immersive experiences and youth leadership, including youth co-host Soleil River Nation.
At the heart of the festival is a commitment to hands-on learning. Attendees will engage with ocean science through activities such as coral reef education, shark science demonstrations, sea turtle conservation sessions, mangrove wave models, and water quality testing.
Creative expression plays an equally important role. Participants can contribute to live murals, design ocean-inspired wearable art, paint wooden sea creatures, and take part in collaborative installations that bring environmental themes to life.
The festival also features DJ sets by DJ Anamá and OWANI, the Big Blue Dance Parade with stilt walkers and drummers, a National Water Dance performance, and a mindfulness session led by Marly Q.
Outdoor experiences such as free swim lessons, paddleboarding, and a seabird release hosted by the Pelican Harbor Seabird Station further connect attendees directly with the marine environment.
Expanding Access Through Big Blue & You
Washington’s work through Art by the Sea is closely tied to her broader mission as co-founder of Big Blue & You, the ocean conservation nonprofit she launched in 2008.
Recognised as the first ocean conservation organisation founded by African American women, Big Blue & You focuses on equipping young people—particularly young women of colour—with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to pursue careers in marine science and environmental advocacy.
Through STEAM education and community-driven programming, the organisation continues to break down barriers to access while reimagining who belongs in environmental spaces.
A Celebration of Ocean, Identity and Impact
With support from partners including the Schmidt Family Foundation and the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, as well as collaborators such as the University of Florida IFAS Extension and Minorities in Shark Sciences, Art by the Sea continues to evolve as both a festival and a platform for change.
At its core, the event reflects Washington’s belief that protecting the ocean is not just a scientific responsibility, but a cultural one—one that must be inclusive, engaging, and rooted in community.
The festival promises a fun-filled day of learning, creativity, and discovery, blending art, science, and culture to inspire a deeper connection to the natural world—and a stronger commitment to protecting it. If you’re in the Miami area this weekend, bring the family down to the Miami Beach Bandshell for this free, immersive experience.
