Reimagining Our Oceans: Five Art Shows Celebrating World Oceans Day

UN World Oceans Day 2026 is hosted by the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea of the Office of Legal Affairs (DOALOS) in partnership with Oceanic Global on the theme of “REIMAGINE: Beyond the world we know, a new relationship with our ocean.” Reimagine asks us to view the ocean not as an infinite, separate entity, but as our primary life-support system: to move from passive inheritors of the ocean’s generosity to active guardians of its future, to govern not just beyond our borders but beyond our blind spots, beyond the habits of taking, beyond the silos.

For the first time, World Oceans Day will be celebrated with over 10% of the global ocean officially designated as protected areas, a meaningful shift toward the global “30×30” goal of protecting 30% of the oceans by 2030, with humanity choosing to govern a significant part of our shared ocean together. The milestone arrived after the entry into force of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement, also known as the High Seas Treaty, a historic, legally binding international treaty that entered into force on 17 January 2026, 120 days after officially surpassing the threshold of 60 country ratifications.

Reimagine asks us to view the ocean not as an infinite, separate entity, but as our primary life-support system.

Selva Ozelli

The four pillars of the High Seas Treaty

Operating as the third implementing agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the High Seas Treaty establishes a common governance framework for the conservation and sustainable use of marine life across the high seas and deep seabed, areas that together encompass nearly two-thirds of the global ocean and half of the Earth’s surface.

The official text of the BBNJ Agreement outlines four core substantive elements designed to bridge major gaps in international ocean governance:

• Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). A legal framework to establish large-scale protected zones in international waters, crucial for meeting the global “30×30” initiative, which aims to protect 30% of the world’s land and sea by 2030.
• Marine Genetic Resources (MGRs). A regime that regulates the collection of genetic material from deep-sea organisms and mandates the fair and equitable sharing of both scientific data and monetary benefits arising from their commercial use in sectors like medicine and biotechnology.
• Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs). Mandatory guidelines and processes for assessing the environmental impact of commercial or scientific activities planned for the high seas.
• Capacity building and technology transfer. A framework for sharing marine scientific data and technology so that developing nations have the resources and capabilities to actively participate in conservation efforts.

Five art shows for Reimagine

On the theme of Reimagine, award-winning oil artist Selva Ozelli, an ambassador to Oceanic Global, has prepared five art exhibitions celebrating World Oceans Day:

1. Ocean Lovers: Angel Fish Flag CCL, National Lighthouse Museum

National Lighthouse Museum, 200 The Promenade at Lighthouse Point, Staten Island, NY 10301.

Ocean Lovers: Angel Fish Flag CCL is an acclaimed art exhibition and series created by international artist, lawyer, author and environmentalist Selva Ozelli. Standing for the Roman numeral 250 (CCL), the flag is part of Ozelli’s broader Flag CCL Series, endorsed by Freedom 250, a national campaign highlighting American innovation and history, and integrated into numerous high-profile global environmental campaigns and official United Nations side events.

The series blends environmental themes with patriotic and cultural symbolism to raise global awareness about marine biodiversity and the fragility of coral reef ecosystems. The oil artwork, painted on 260 panels of 12 by 12 inches each, specifically celebrates angelfish and highlights the National Lighthouse Museum’s partnership with the Billion Oyster Project, a major NYC initiative based on Governors Island dedicated to restoring oyster reefs and improving harbor biodiversity. Reefs occupy a mere 0.1% of the global sea surface but support more than 25% of marine biodiversity. The 20 ft by 13 ft flag highlights the historical intersection of our country’s maritime history, historic site preservation, and ecological innovation.

2. Ocean Lovers: To the Core Flag CCL, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory

Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University (LDEO), 61 US-9W, Palisades, NY 10964.

Ocean Lovers: To the Core Flag CCL is an oil artwork measuring 5 ft x 5 ft, painted on 35 wood panels in a flag design, celebrating LDEO’s foundational contributions to Earth and marine science. Standing for the Roman numeral 250 (CCL), the flag is part of Ozelli’s broader Flag CCL Series, endorsed by Freedom 250 and integrated into numerous high-profile global environmental campaigns and official United Nations side events.

The visual composition incorporates vibrant red and green sea grass alongside migratory, anadromous fish native to the Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea, Atlantic Ocean, and the Hudson River Estuary. The piece is specifically inspired by real-world ocean floor core research, reflecting the work of LDEO paleoclimate scientists like Dr. Dorothy Peteet (wetlands and carbon sequestration) and the historic marine geology findings of Drs. William Ryan and Walter Pitman, who used deep-sea cores to trace ancient catastrophic flood timelines.

3. Paradise Flag CCL, Havre de Grace Maritime Museum and Environmental Center

Havre de Grace Maritime Museum and Environmental Center, 100 Lafayette Street, Havre de Grace, MD 21078.

Paradise Flag CCL is a collaborative environmental art piece created by world-renowned Australian nature photographer Ian Hutton and award-winning oil artist and environmentalist Selva Ozelli. The digital art initiative combines marine and terrestrial wildlife photography with fine art to advocate for biodiversity conservation and climate action. Standing for the Roman numeral 250 (CCL), the flag is part of Ozelli’s broader Flag CCL Series, endorsed by Freedom 250 and integrated into numerous high-profile global environmental campaigns and official United Nations side events.

4. Peace Boat US Ocean Gala & Blue Innovation Reception

Onboard the Peace Boat at the Manhattan Cruise Terminal, NYC. Wednesday, 10 June 2026, 5:00 PM – 9:30 PM EDT.

The inaugural Peace Boat US Ocean Gala & Blue Innovation Reception takes place on Wednesday, 10 June 2026, as part of the United Nations World Oceans Day celebrations. The evening features sustainable fashion, ocean conservation awards, and networking with climate leaders.

5. Paradise, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory

Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, 61 US-9W, Palisades, NY 10964.

Paradise is a collaborative environmental art exhibition pairing photographs by Ian Hutton with oil paintings by Selva Ozelli to raise global awareness about marine conservation, showcasing the unique and fragile ecosystem of Australia’s Lord Howe Island Group (LHIG), a UNESCO World Heritage site.

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About the author

Selva Ozelli is an international artist, lawyer, author and environmentalist whose oil paintings have been featured in exhibitions and United Nations side events around the world. She serves as an ambassador to Oceanic Global, and her Flag CCL series has been endorsed by Freedom 250, a national campaign highlighting American innovation and history.

Photo and artwork: Courtesy of Selva Ozelli. SEVENSEAS Media thanks the artist, Oceanic Global, the National Lighthouse Museum, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Havre de Grace Maritime Museum and Environmental Center, and Peace Boat US for sharing.