Washed Ashore | Utah's Hogle Zoo

Washed Ashore

On Display Throughout the Zoo May 24th – September 30th

Washed Ashore builds and exhibits aesthetically powerful art to educate a global audience about plastic pollution in oceans and waterways and spark positive changes in consumer habits.

The Washed Ashore sculptures are constructed entirely from debris that has washed up along the Oregon coast.

Each of these sculptures represents the sea life affected by plastic pollution. These unique art pieces are part of a national traveling exhibition that includes educational signage and programs that encourage reducing, refusing, reusing, repurposing and recycling.

Marine debris is currently one of the greatest threats to global oceans. There is no longer a marine environment untouched by our trash.

Angela Haseltine Pozzi, founder and artistic director of the Washed Ashore Project.

Washed Ashore is a non-profit community art project founded by artist and educator, Angela Haseltine Pozzi in 2010. The project is based in Bandon, Oregon, where Angela first recognized the amount of plastic washing up on the beaches she loved and decided to take action. Since 2010, Washed Ashore has processed tons of plastic pollution from Pacific beaches to create monumental art that is awakening the hearts and minds of viewers to the global marine debris crisis.

What You Need to Know:

15 Washed Ashore sculptures are available to be viewed during all Zoo hours and free with your paid Zoo admission or by presenting a valid Hogle Zoo membership card at entry. Washed Ashore will be displayed on the Zoo grounds daily for a limited time only – May 24th through September 30th.

Learn more about each of our Washed Ashore Ambassadors below.

You can purchase Zoo Admission tickets online!

Meet the Washed Ashore Ambassadors:

“AMERICAN” SEA STAR – Every year, thousands of pounds of plastic entering marine environments affecting animals like sea stars that live there;
ANNIE THE ANEMONE – Anemones cab be found in tide pools near the beach, or as deep as 33,000 feet below the ocean surface.
CHOMPERS THE SHARK – Sharks are a vital part of ocean ecosystems, let’s stop feeding them our trash!;
DAISY THE POLAR BEAR – Although most of us will never see a polar bear in the wild, they are an example of how our actions affect species globally;
FISH BITE FISH – The plastic items used to create this art piece have extensive bite
marks from fish, crabs, birds and other marine species;
FISH FLOP FISH – A sandal that is only meant to be worn for a season can persist in the environment for decades;
GIANT SEA JELLY – In the ocean, sea jellies strongly resemble floating plastic bags, confusing hungry sea turtles, often resulting in a deadly mistake for the sea turtle.
HUMPBACK WHALE TAIL – In order to ensure these whales repopulate the oceans they once roamed, it is our responsibility to ensure their environment is free from another man-made threat, our trash;
LIDIA THE SEAL – Entanglement in plastic rope, rubber rings and strapping is a common threat for these curious creatures;
MUSICAL SEAWEED – The blades of this seaweed sculpture are made with plastic pallets and chairs and can be played like tambourines;
OCEAN GYRE – Rather than an island or garbage patch, the world’s ocean gyres are a constantly moving “plastic soup” with plastics found in every depth of the water column.
ROCKHOPPER PENGUIN – Marine pollution, loss of food availability, and commercial fishing have all played a part in rockhopper penguin numbers plummeting;
SEA JELLY BLOOM – A beautiful little critter bright red in color accented by three black spots. They live almost anywhere they can find their favorite meal – aphids!
SEA LION PUP – Quick to investigate everything they encounter, sea lions can become caught in rope, nets, packing straps and other trash adrift in our oceans;
WHALE RIBCAGE – A gray whale found dead on the coast of Washington had plastic bags, towels, surgical gloves, sweat pants, duct tape, fishing line and a golf ball in its stomach;