Unseen Oceans - America’s Hidden Deep-Sea Gardens

An Exploration of Alaska's Coral and Sponge Forests

Discover Alaska’s hidden deep-sea coral and sponge gardens through rare video, art, and storytelling. A scientist-artist collective reveals fragile ecosystems usually beyond human reach.

Our deep sea – waters deeper than 200 meters – covers more than two-thirds of our planet, yet less than 0.001% has ever been directly explored. Once thought barren and lifeless, ongoing expeditions have revealed thriving undersea “forests” of corals and sponges, home to brittle stars, fish, shrimp, and countless other species. These habitats not only support amazing biodiversity but also play a role in sustaining fisheries and local communities, connecting the hidden depths to our everyday lives.

In this talk, The Unseen Ocean Collective will guide audiences into these mysterious worlds. Marine biologist Lara Beckmann will begin with a short introduction to the dynamic coral and sponge gardens that thrive in the deep waters, like undersea forests. Featuring rare video footage filmed during NOAA deep-sea expeditions in 2023, Lara will show how these ecosystems function, why they support so many species, and how they connect to human communities through fisheries and the broader marine environment. Audiences will gain insight into the science of deep-sea ecosystems, the discoveries that continue to reshape our understanding of the ocean, and the fascinating creatures that inhabit these remote habitats.

Following the science introduction, the artists Kierstin Keller, Nilanjana Das, and Meghan Jones will share how these discoveries inspired their paintings, sculptures, and visual storytelling. Together, science and art provide a rare opportunity to see the unseen, experience the deep sea through both knowledge and imagination, and celebrate the wonder of discovery. This one-of-a-kind talk blends deep-sea science with fine art to create an engaging, visually stunning, and thought-provoking experience for all ages.

These talks are part of a larger Spokane-based program in April 2026, including a month-long deep sea art exhibition at the Chase Gallery, organized school field trips, classroom craft kits, and community events. Through these combined efforts, we hope to spark curiosity, creativity, and a sense of awe for Earth’s largest and least-explored ecosystem, inspiring audiences to explore, wonder, and connect with the ocean in new ways.

By attending library programs, you are agreeing to potentially appear in photos/videos taken at our locations that may be used in promotional materials including social media.

We strive to make events welcoming for people of all abilities. To request accommodations (i.e. hearing assistance, ASL requests, or other ADA inquiries), email sday@spokanelibrary.org.

For all event information inquiries, email telref@spokanelibrary.org or call 509-444-5300.

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