Dan Mele, coral aquarist, communications specialist and photographer, presents Reefs Reimagined on Saturday at the Virgin Islands Children’s Museum on St. Thomas.
“Reefs Reimagined” examines the U.S. Virgin Islands’ coral reefs and a small group of dedicated scientists working to restore them, according to a press release announcing the event. This unique blend of sci-art informs and eloquently showcases how art and science harmoniously converge, as depicted through captivating photography and film, it said.
The beautiful and educational photo exhibition was first opened at 81C and then housed at the Department of Planning and Natural Resources. However, Mele feels it is important for the children the community to have the opportunity to enjoy the photos and learn more about marine life in the Virgin Islands, the release stated.
The exhibition will officially open on Saturday at noon at the VICM, located in the Buccaneer Mall, across from the Port of Sale Mall. Mele and other members of the Reef Response team will present their work, via this photo exhibition, and teach 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, according to the release.
Prints of Mele’s photos will be available for purchase at the event, with 20 percent of proceeds going to Reef Response, and 30 percent to the museum. Visitors can order prints but interested parties can also visit the VICM’s website to view the “Reef Reimagined” online gallery at www.vichildrensmuseum.org/danmele. All pieces will be reprinted when purchased so please allow one to two 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,” said Chantel Hoheb, one of the museum’s co-directors.
Photos will remain on display at the VI Children’s Museum until Dec. 28, and the online gallery will stay on the VICM’s website until Jan. 25 to allow more people to view and hopefully purchase pieces to benefit Reef Response and the VICM, according to the release.
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, the release noted. 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 toward the natural world and building support for scientific research, it said.
Visit www.vichildrensmuseum.org for more information and follow them on Facebook and Instagram, @vichildrenmuseum.
