Ten new sculptures have been added to the Museum of Art (UMA), the first permanent underwater museum in the US. The museum is only accessible in person as a dive location, and it is located in the Gulf of Mexico in South Walton, Florida.
I Found It! is one of the 2019 sculptures by Ingram Ober and Marisol Rendon. Image: Visit South Walton
The UMA’s purpose is to create art that becomes marine habitat, expanding fishery populations, and providing creative and educational opportunities. One of the most dramatic pieces deployed for 2019 is I Found It!, a concrete and steel diamond ring by Ingram Ober and Marisol Rendon.
The sculpture, To Replenish with Water, by Beatriz Chachamovits. Image: Spring Run Media
The remaining installations include To Replenish With Water by Beatriz Chachamovits, Saguaro by Ghazal Ghazi, Bill Baron, and Michael Ramirez, Aspiration by Shohini Ghosh, Let’s Flamingle by Rachel Herring, Wave! by Benjamin Mefford, Love Thyself by Maxine Orange, Let’s Not Blow This by Kevin Reilly, Depth of Decision by Gianna Stewart and X.Muta by Vince Tatum.
Love Thyself by Maxine Orange. Image: Spring Run Media
The 2019 installation joins the seven sculptures deployed last June on a one-acre permit patch of seabed off Grayton Beach State Park. The UMA patch will continue to be filled with several new sculptures annually. Photos and videos will be updated online to document the marine growth on each sculpture.
Let’s Flamingle by Rachel Herring. Image: Underwater Museum of Art
“It was a beautiful thing to watch the second-year sculpture deployment to expand the UMA,” said Andy McAlexander, president of South Walton Artificial Reef Association. “SWARA couldn’t be more proud to continue to collaborate with the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County. Through this unique partnership, our ability to raise awareness for both the arts and marine resources is unmatched. We’re already looking forward to next year as well as many more to come.”
The X.Muta sculpture by Vince Tatum. Image: Underwater Musuem of Art
For more information about dive shops and tours, please visit here.
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