By Jondi Gumz
Annie Meyer fell in love with the ocean the first time she saw it at age 18.
After a long teaching career at Soquel Elementary with 15 years overseas — stops in Hong Kong and Singapore — with her husband Kevin and now living in Soquel, she’s a first-time artist in Open Studios.
Annie taught for a year online during the pandemic, then she retired.
During morning walks at New Brighton State Beach, where the ocean is protected by the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, she began picking up drift seaweed, whatever is on the sand or surf, so it is sustainable.
Annie turns them into art pieces, using a botanical press built by Kevin. He makes the frames so the art can go on the wall.
The business is called OceanBotanicals.net.
Annie and her family have donated four of her artworks to the Panetta Institute for Public Service in recognition of Leon and Sylvia Panetta’s work to establish the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
She also developed the Sea Star Gala award for the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary’s gala Oct. 5.
Details: https://montereybayfoundation.org/event/2024-sea-stars-gala/