"Reefs Reimagined", a Photo Exhibition of Coral Restoration,

presented at the VI Children's Museum

 

Dan Mele, coral aquarist, communications specialist and photographer, presents REEFS REIMAGINED at the Virgin Islands Children's Museum! This beautiful and educational photo exhibition was first opened at 81C and then housed at the Department of Planning and Natural Resources. It is important to Dan for the children in our community to have the opportunity to enjoy the photos and learn more about marine life in the Virgin Islands. The exhibition will officially open at the VICM on Saturday November 23, 2024 at 12PM. Dan and other members of the Reef Response team will present their work, via this photo exhibition, and teach our visiting families about underwater photography and the science behind the photos. Reef Response is a coral restoration program located in the USVI created to increase the health and diversity of coral reefs around the Virgin Islands while empowering the local community to cope with changing environmental conditions. “Reefs Reimagined” examines the U.S. Virgin Islands' coral reefs and a small group of dedicated scientists working to restore them. This unique blend of sci-art informs and eloquently showcases how art and science harmoniously converge, as depicted through captivating photography and film.

 

Sales from this photo exhibition benefit the Reef Response (20%) program and the Virgin Islands Children's Museum (30%). Museum visitors can order prints but interested parties can also visit the VICM's website to view the "Reef Reimagined" online gallery; www.vichildrensmuseum.org/danmele. All pieces will be reprinted when purchased so please allow 1-2 weeks for printing. "We are so grateful to Dan and Reef Response for reaching out to the museum to showcase his work, which can be presented to our museum families in a fun and educational way", stated Chantel Hoheb, one of the museum's co-directors. Photos will remain on display at the VI Children's Museum until December 28th, however the online gallery will stay on the VICM's website until January 25th to allow more people to view and hopefully purchase pieces to benefit Reef Response and the VICM. 

 

Dan Mele is a conservation photographer/filmmaker and coral biologist at the University of the Virgin Islands and VI-EPSCoR. Additionally, he is an Emerging League Fellow in the International League of Conservation Photographers. His work has been published in several books, magazines and news articles, and he has worked on numerous TV series and films including PBS’ “NOVA” and the Emmy-nominated film, “Hope for Corals in Crisis.” Where spoken language can cause communication roadblocks by geographic region, photography is a universal language. Through his lens, Mele tells the compelling stories of those working diligently to safeguard at-risk species and vulnerable ecosystems. In an era where nature preservation often takes a back seat, Mele’s imagery is a powerful tool for fostering empathy towards the natural world and building support for scientific research.

 

Location:

Virgin Islands Children's Museum, Buccaneer Mall St. Thomas (across from the Port of Sale Mall). 

Visit www.vichildrensmuseum.org for more information and follow them on Facebook and Instagram, @vichildrenmuseum. 

 

About the VICM:

It is the mission of VICM to bring children and families together in an interactive educational space where dynamic play inspires a love of learning. The VICM aims to create an environment that fosters explorative learning and a life-long passion for seeking knowledge. As part of a multicultural and multinational community, the Virgin Islands Children's Museum encourages visitors from across the Caribbean and throughout the world. The museum serves families, educators, children of the Virgin Islands and visitors to the Territory. All age groups benefit from and enjoy visiting the museum. The VICM is an all-inclusive education resource that places a high importance on providing programs accessible to low-income families. The museum, always in need of support, is financially sustained through grants, corporate contributions, donations, museum memberships, museum admissions, event space rental, and sales from the gift shop.