Upcoming Author Events, Image Shows, and Lectures

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Return here for additional details about planned events and announcements of future events.

Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea:
An Underwater View of
Life in California's Ocean

If you missed Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, when it was presented May 8, 2020, don't fret! You can see the complete video at this link:
LivingSeaimages.com/voyage

Take a Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, be carried on the words and pictures of California marine explorer and conservationist Marc Shargel. Join him for underwater adventures along the California Coast, from Oregon to Mexico, from Humboldt and Mendocino Counties to the Channel Islands, including remote dive sites in Big Sur. Marc's talk will conclude in Monterey Bay, using dive sites in Shargel’s backyard to show how the recent proliferation of sea urchins has caused a major ecosystem shift in kelp forests from Monterey to Mendocino.

Chelsea Prindle, manager of the The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center was the evening's moderator.

00:00 to 04:30 - Introduction
04:30 to 28:00 - California underwater, Oregon to Mexico
28:00 to 44:30 - The disappearance of kelp forests from Monterey, and what to do about it.
44:30 to 1:15:30 - Q & A

Marc Shargel is a vocal advocate for marine conservation. From 2000 to 2007 he participated in the effort that created new marine protected areas (like underwater parks) along the Central Coast and throughout California, bringing his images and under-water insight into the political arena. Since then, Marc Shargel has presented at dive clubs, civic groups, schools and the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center, offering education about MPAs and sharing the beauty of the underwater world.

Video Voyages

Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, an online presentation featuring photographs and commentary by Marc Shargel:

In the autumn of 2016 we created two short videos, and you don't have to travel or even wait a moment to see them! Just click below.

Video from Marc Shargel's Galápagos expedition:

Video from Central California, Fiji and British Columbia, 2012-2016:

We Take Requests!

If you'd like to have Marc speak to your group, send an email here. If you're wondering whether our presentations are a good match for your group or event, have a look at the events we've done in the past.

Marc Shargel has been a frequent presenter at clubs and civic groups all over Northern and Central California. More than a dozen clubs, as well as civic and volunteer groups, have seen his talks "Islands of the Eastern Pacific" and "An Underwater Swim Across the Pacific." In 2001 he presented images of endangered Manatees from West Florida. In 2002 his presentations featured images from the South Pacific Islands of Palau, Yap, and Bali.

Current and Upcoming Shows of Fine-Art Photography

Come See Marc Shargel's Work at Color Stories

Open through May 2

Marc Shargel's work is currently on display at the R. Blitzer Gallery located on the 2nd floor at 2801 Mission Street, Santa Cruz. This free exhibition brings together the work of 54 photographers, celebrating the beauty of local image making and the stories it tells. The exhibition was curated by Shelby Graham, who recently ended a 22-year stint as curator and director at the Sesnon Gallery at UC Santa Cruz.

The "Color Stories" show is open at the R. Blitzer Gallery:

March 18 - May 2nd

Thursday through Saturday, 1-4pm

or by appointment (831) 458-1217

Link to Map

Wildflowers cover gently rolling hills, contrasting with the shape, texture and dull color of eroded rocks. This scene appeared in the Carrizo Plain National Monument in San Luis Obispo County on April 25, 2023 as a "superbloom" followed what had been a very wet winter. © 2023 Marc Shargel

Upcoming Artist Talks & Reception

Meet Marc at the First Friday Reception, Friday April 3 from 4-6pm
Meet Marc at the Artists' Talk, Saturday, April 18 from 2-4pm

Join us for the Community of Digital Artists Members' Exhibition First Friday Reception! Share an evening of creativity and inspiration as we showcase the amazing work of our talented members. Come celebrate the community during a reception or meet the artists, with a brief talk by three exhibiting members followed by a reception, and immerse yourself in the world of digital art. There are several wonderful opportunities that you won't want to miss. Stop by to support local artists and connect with fellow art enthusiasts!

First Friday Reception - April 3, 4-7pm

Meet Marc at this event from 4 to 6

Meet the Artists: Artist Talk & Reception - April 18, 2-4pm

Meet Marc at this event from 2 to 4

Another First Friday Reception - May 1, 4-7pm

Marc will be in the field with his camera for this one

About CODA

The group presenting the show is the Community Of Digital Artists (CODA), a "photo" club I meet with monthly. The group is composed of some very skilled people who have been creating beautiful digital images for years, with very eclectic visions. Some pieces, like mine, are "photographs," representations of real or very slightly enhanced views of real places and scenes. Some are fantastic visions constructed from elements gathered with a camera and then assembled digitally. I've admired the work of many of my colleagues, and learned from them. I am very grateful to be apart of this vibrant local community of talented photographers, digital artists, and art enthusiasts. The current CODA members' show at the R. Blitzer Gallery comprises "photographs."

CODA is partnered in this exhibition with two community-wide artistic events. One is PhotoCarmel 2026 (March 27 – May 10), a celebration of photography on the Central Coast, organized by the Center for Photographic Art in Carmel, CA. The other is Santa Cruz-focused: the Ripple Effect Arts Festival (April 16-26), a county-wide celebration of creativity.

See the CODA Events page to learn more and to browse the exciting work, as well as the previous 2025 and 2024 shows.

Website Open 24/7

Our website is "open for business" any time. Our books and mini prints make lovely and inexpensive holiday gifts. Our larger prints are a way to give something beautiful to someone special.

Need some guidance or advice? Email anytime or phone us at 831-335-4849 between 9:30am and 5:30pm, California time.

If you manage a venue or know of one that would like to host a show, please contact us. Thank you!

Email or phone us at 831-335-4849 for additional information on any of our events.

If you'd like to receive an email notification of the date of our next show, please join our newsletter list.

Our Thanks to all the organizations who have
hosted our presentations:

Felton Library Friends
Community of Digital Artists, Scotts Valley
Pro Scuba Dive Center of Scotts Valley
TEDx Monterey
Northern California Dive & Travel Expo
Aquarium of the Bay, Pier 39, San Francisco, CA
Gatsby Books, Long Beach, CA
The Aquarium of the Pacific, Long Beach, CA
The Environmental Nature Center, Newport Beach, CA
Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Martha's Bookstore
Alacosta Divers dive club
Orchard School
The Point Reyes National Seashore Association
Aquarius Aquarium Institute, Fresno, CA
The Seymour Marine Discovery Center
Monterey Bay Kayaks
Amigos del Mar
The San Jose Flipper Dippers
The Explorers Club of Northern California
Soquel High School
Kelp Klimbers of Monterey
Adventure Sports
Monterey Peninsula Underwater Photographers
Northern California Underwater Photographic Society
Vaqueros del Mar
Tandem Dive Club
San Francisco Reef Divers
Northern California Rainbow Divers
Seniors Council of Santa Cruz and San Benito Counties
Bargetto Winery
The Monterey Shootout
Rotary Club of San Lorenzo Valley