Your Guide to Art by the Sea 2026: Celebrate World Water Day with Us

This World Water Day, get ready to experience a one-of-a-kind celebration where art, science, music, and community come together by the ocean.

On Sunday, March 22, 2026, Big Blue & You invites you to Art by the Sea, a free, family-friendly festival at the Miami Beach Bandshell from 11 AM to 4 PM - and trust us, you won’t want to miss it.

💙 A Festival with Purpose

Founded in 2008, Big Blue & You has always been rooted in one powerful idea: that everyone deserves to see themselves as part of the ocean’s story.

Art by the Sea was created as a way to bring that vision to life, blending creativity, culture, and ocean conservation into an experience that is accessible, joyful, and deeply community-driven.

Over the years, the festival has inspired young people across South Florida, especially from underrepresented communities, to explore ocean science, express themselves through art, and step into leadership roles as environmental changemakers.

Now, in 2026, Art by the Sea returns in celebration of World Water Day, bigger, more interactive, and more inspiring than ever.

✨ What to Expect

From the moment you arrive, you’ll be immersed in a full day of hands-on activities, live performances, and ocean-inspired experiences designed for all ages.

🎨 Create & Get Inspired

Explore interactive art stations led by local artists and educators:

• Live Ocean Mural with Big Blue & You’s Resident Youth Artist Maredy Narea
  Watch a large-scale mural come to life throughout the day and even add your own touch to this evolving community masterpiece.

• “Tangled in the Tides” Sculpture with Big Blue & You’s Resident Artist Kim Rizio
  Explore an immersive installation highlighting ocean pollution and the beauty of marine life through mixed media.

• Live Painting Activation with Beth Bru
  Step into a collaborative painting experience where each brushstroke contributes to a shared coastal vision and message of conservation.

• Paint Your Own Sea Creature with Sharon Berebichez
  Design and decorate your own wooden ocean animal to take home as a colorful keepsake.

• Wearable Art Station with Lauren Reilly from Living Studio
  Create your own ocean-inspired sew-on patch, turning your love for the sea into something you can wear and share.

• Baby Sea Turtle Craft with Alexa Umwiza
  Build your own adorable hatchling using model magic while learning about sea turtle conservation.

• “Water Is Life” Collaborative Mural with Luis Valle
  Draw, color, and contribute your own fish to a growing ocean mural that celebrates biodiversity and clean water.

🔬 Dive Into Ocean Science

Meet real marine scientists and conservationists and learn through fun, hands-on activities like:

• Mighty Mangroves Wave Tank (Uuniversity of Florida IFAS Extension & Florida Sea Grant)
  Discover how mangroves protect our coastlines by testing wave energy and even creating your own mini “hurricane” simulation.

• Coral Reef Creation with Ocean Rescue Alliance International
  Build your own “paper reef” while learning how coral ecosystems support marine life and why they need protection.

• Shark Science Lab with Minorities in Shark Sciences (MISS)
  Step into the role of a shark scientist—measure, tag, and collect data from different shark species in this hands-on activity.

• Broward County Sea Turtle Conservation Program with Nova Southeastern University
  Explore real specimens, learn about nesting biology, and test your knowledge with turtle trivia.

• Water Quality Testing with Miami Waterkeeper
  Get hands-on with real tools used by scientists to monitor water health and understand why clean water matters.

• Coastal Ecosystem Riddles with Blue Scholars Initiative
  Solve clues and uncover the animals of Biscayne Bay while learning about local habitats.

• MarineLab Environmental Education Center Activities

  Create art using recycled bottle caps, p lay a life-sized “Guess Who” reef game, and examine microplastics under a microscope.

Each station is designed to make science fun, interactive, and accessible, helping attendees of all ages better understand and care for our ocean.

🎶 Experience Music, Movement & Culture

Feel the energy of the festival with:

• A special live performance by youth co-host Soleil River Nation

• Live DJ sets by DJ Anamá and OWANI powered by Love Hope Music

• A powerful dance performance by NWD Projects

• The Big Blue Dance Parade with stilt walkers and drummers courtesy of Creative Stage Productions

• A mindfulness and stretching session with Marly Q

• Facepainting fun with Miami Facepainting

📚Stories, Community & Ocean Joy

Take a moment to slow down and connect:

• Cozy Reading Corner with the Miami-Dade Public Library System
  Featuring live readings from marine biologist Carlee Jackson and youth author Emiliana Fuger

• Mocha Mermaid Photobooth
  Step into your mermaid power and capture the moment featuring real-life mermaid Merle in our photo booth courtest of Fun Click USA

• Giveaways, raffles, and interactive experiences happening throughout the day

🌊 Ocean Activities

Make the most of the beachside setting with:

• Free paddleboarding with iPaddle Miami

• Free swim lessons with Breathe & Splash Swim School

• Wildlife engagement and exclusive behind-the-scenes opportunities with Pelican Harbor Seabird Station

👩🏽‍🔬 Youth-Led & Community-Driven

One of the most special parts of Art by the Sea is its focus on youth leadership. The festival will be hosted by Big Blue & You Co-Founder Danni Washington, alongside youth co-host Soleil River Nation, an 11-year-old performer using her voice to inspire environmental action through music.

From the stage to the activity stations, young leaders are at the heart of this event—proving that the next generation is already making waves.

🌍 Why It Matters

By combining art, science, and storytelling, Big Blue & You creates an entry point for people of all ages to connect with the ocean in meaningful ways. Whether you’re painting, dancing, learning, or exploring, you’re also becoming part of a larger mission: protecting our blue planet.

📍 Event Details

Art by the Sea Youth Arts Festival
🗓 Sunday, March 22, 2026 (World Water Day)
⏰ 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
📍 Miami Beach Bandshell
7275 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL

🎟 Free and open to the public - registration required.

💙 Join Us

Bring your friends, your family, and your curiosity—and get ready for a day filled with creativity, connection, and ocean inspiration.

✨ Register today to secure your spot and be part of the experience!

Let’s celebrate World Water Day together and make waves for the future 🌊