Artist Boat Hosts the 11th Annual World Ocean Day Festival
Artist Boat will host World Ocean Day events and activities between the dates of June 4th and 6th, 2026, as part of the internationally recognized day of celebration and education that unites millions across the globe on the 8th of June each year to protect our blue planet. This year’s theme is “One Ocean, One Climate, One Future — Together”
This year’s events include a film screening of Sharkwater by filmmaker Rob Stewart, a special Underwater HOA Homeowner Workshop Event by resident artist, Xavier Cortada, and the official World Ocean Day Festival at the R.A. Apffel Beach Park, East Beach in Galveston, Texas.
Sharkwater, a film by Rob Stewart, will be presented at the Rosenberg Library, located at 2310 Sealy Street in Galveston on June 4th at 6:00 pm, with check-in at 5:45 pm. Sharkwater is a groundbreaking documentary that exposes the illegal shark fin industry and works to dispel misconceptions about sharks being dangerous man-eaters. The 89-minute film documents Stewart’s dangerous, action-packed journey through the Galapagos and Costa Rica to fight poachers and save the species.
Xavier Cortada, Miami’s pioneer eco-artist and creator of more than 150 public artworks, installations, and collaborative murals across six continents, will host his popular Underwater HOA workshop for Galveston homeowners. The event will take place at MarMo Plaza at 2121 Market Street in Galveston on Friday June 5th at 6 pm, in partnership with Vision Galveston and MarMo Innovations. Cortada will guide participants through finding their Sea Level Number, as they learn about sea level rise and climate change, to create their own yard sign artwork indicating how many feet of sea level rise must occur before their home is underwater.
“Through art, I want to educate, inspire, and galvanize Galveston neighbors around their shared vulnerability to rising seas. I want to do this because when communities learn together and work together, they are better prepared to confront whatever hard truths the future brings. Sitting back and waiting for the Gulf to rise is not a solution”, Xavier Cortada of the Cortada Foundation.
Artist Boat will then host the 11th Annual World Ocean Day Festival at the R.A. Apffel East Beach Park in Galveston, Texas on June 6th from 11:00 am to 4:30 pm. Partner organizations will provide interactive activities to help ocean-lovers of all ages learn about the marine world and how we connect to it. The festival will include live entertainment, Eco-Art Workshops, and the June segment of Women in Coastal Science by Visit Galveston.
World Ocean Day is an international recognized holiday occurring every year on June 8th.
The day catalyzes collective action for a healthy ocean and a stable climate, working in collaboration with youth leaders and a wide range of organizations.
World Ocean Day belongs to all groups and individuals, collectively, everywhere. It’s about how we can create a better future with an abundant ocean and a stable climate, by working together.
Sponsors and partners for this year’s events and activities include Kathy and Bud Kulesza Patrons, Vision Galveston, MarMo Innovations, MarMo Plaza, Moody Gardens, MOD Coffeehouse, Gaidos, Visit Galveston, Galveston Park Board of Trustees, and supported by Galveston Hotel Occupancy Tax.
All World Ocean Day Festival events and activities are FREE to the public; however, some activities require registration online. To learn more and register for FREE workshops, visit www.artistboat.org/world-
About Artist Boat
Artist Boat is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote awareness and preservation of coastal margins and the marine environment through the disciplines of the sciences and the arts. Since 2003 Artist Boat has provided experiential coastal education to more than 250,000 participants and now stewards the Coastal Heritage Preserve on West Galveston Island.
Sharkwater
Thursday, June 4, 2026
5:45 p.m. Check-In
6:00 p.m. Showtime
Length: 89 minutes
Wortham Auditorium, Rosenberg Library
2310 Sealy Street
Galveston, Texas
Produced by Rod Stewart
Driven by passion fed from a lifelong fascination with sharks, Stewart debunks historical stereotypes and media depictions of sharks as bloodthirsty, man eating monsters and reveals the reality of sharks as pillars in the evolution of the seas.
In partnership with Rosenberg Library.
Why Celebrate World Ocean Day Festival
Artist Boat says it best!
A healthy world ocean is critical to our survival. Every year, World Ocean Day provides a unique opportunity to honor, help protect, and conserve our world’s shared ocean. The ocean is important because it:
- Generates most of the oxygen we breathe
- Helps feed us
- Regulates our climate
- Cleans the water we drink
- Offers a pharmacopoeia of medicines
- Provides limitless inspiration!
Art Workshops
Expertly led by artists with environmental knowledge, enjoy learning about interesting ecological and environmental geared towards all ages while creating wonderful art that makes a great keepsake.
Live Music and Performances
Talented performers take the stage to share music, dance, storytelling, and other entertainment. There’s something for everyone and many are interactive!
Hands-On Experiences
Ocean-lovers of all ages can join in on a workshop on the beach. Sign up in advance to ensure you have a spot; they are very popular and fun experiences!
Bucket Brigade
Join Artist Boat’s Bucket Brigade for an engaging beach tour that uncovers the unique features of Galveston’s coastline. Explore hands-on activities related to marine debris, Sargassum landings, and more!
What is World Ocean Day
World Ocean Day is an annual global celebration held on June 8, dedicated to recognizing the significance of our oceans and promoting their protection. Initially proposed in 1992, this day has evolved into a platform for raising awareness about the challenges our oceans face and the importance of sustainable management of marine resources.
The annual festival hosted by Artist Boat at East Beach brings together community members to engage in educational activities and discussions. Participants can explore the ocean’s vital role in our lives and learn how to contribute to its preservation. World Ocean Day Festival serves as a reminder of our shared responsibility to protect the blue planet that sustains us all.
Who Hosts the World Ocean Day Festival
Artist Boat hosts the annual World Ocean Day festival, bringing the community together to celebrate and learn about the importance of our oceans.
Artist Boat is a nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness and preserving the coastal and marine environments through the integration of science and art. Their mission focuses on connecting people to the beauty of the Gulf Coast and inspiring action to protect it. Their vision is simple: when people experience our Gulf Coast, they come to value and safeguard its natural beauty.
The organization aims to expand its programs to reach more individuals of all ages, fostering a deeper appreciation for the Texas Gulf Coast. Their goals include preserving 1,400 acres of coastal habitat through the Coastal Heritage Preserve on West Galveston Island and establishing a significant environmental education center. This center will offer enriching programs like kayaking, hiking, science and art labs, and service learning, engaging the community in meaningful ways to protect our coastal treasures.
