Ocean2Aquifer
WHO IS O2A?
Steve Wright, of Wright Weld Works and Ocean2Aquifer, is a lifelong musician and artist. He repurposes metal, glass, wood and plastic to create amazing works of art. He has also created some incredible custom guitar stands and drum racks and has fabricated custom motorcycle parts and home furnishings. Recycling and repurposing materials have always been part of his craft. In 2018 he moved to the Oregon coast to further pursue his artistic career.
2018-2022, 2023-Current
Steve began working as an artist apprentice in 2018 and then became the lead artist at Washed Ashore in early 2021. Washed Ashore, located in Coos Bay OR, is an educational non-profit that builds and exhibits large sculptures made from marine debris. He apprenticed under and worked with Angela Hazeltine Pozzi, former Artistic Director, and Founder of Washed Ashore from 2018 until her departure in 2021.
Steve continues to build art for Washed Ashore as a contracted artist.
Since working for Washed Ashore, Steve learned more about the plastic pollution crisis and committed himself to educating others while on the job and in his off time. With input from trusted colleagues, it became clear where he needed to focus. It was our natural water systems and the ability for all to have access to clean, life-sustaining water.
With that in mind and at the urging of friends and co-workers, he and his partner Marilyn formed Ocean2Aquifer as a means to educate and advocate about water insecurity, equal access, and the need for clean, life sustaining water... a basic need.
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Steve's collective works have been seen at various art galleries on the coast, the Coos Art Museum, numerous music venues, plus malls, zoos, aquariums, and botanical gardens nationwide.
Ocean2Aquifer will be his most important personal work yet!
WHAT DOES O2A DO?
O2A creates eye opening art that
demonstrates how plastics have permeated our oceans and water ways, and the importance of ensuring equal access to clean, safe water.
O2A educates through art, activity books, out reach and lectures.
All art is created in house. We work with volunteers to collect the plastic, then O2A designs the piece, welds and fabricates the frame, sculpts and attaches the plastic and then provides educational information on the at risk creature and it's habitat or about the subject being depicted in the piece. We also teach others how to build plastic art and start artistic and/or educational programs of their own.
WHO DOES O2A WORK WITH?
O2A works in part, to benefit American Aquifers through cross promotion, mutual support and by generating donations to further our mutual mission of providing advocacy and assistance for those experiencing issues with clean water access.
AmericanAquifers.org, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization whose goal is to protect our aquifers and to educate, support, and advocate for sustainable groundwater use through community outreach, data collection, and scientific research. They provide help and financial assistance to those struggling with groundwater issues, and they strive to be a resource for all those that depend on groundwater.
WE APPRECIATE YOU!
Whether you help through donations, volunteering your time, by purchasing a piece, or simply by spreading our mission through word-of-mouth, we sincerely thank you.
We couldn't accomplish our goals without the help of supporters like you.
Much appreciated, Ocean2Aquifer and American Aquifers
About American Aquifers
A message from American Aquifers
Our goal at American Aquifers is to protect our aquifers and to educate, support, and advocate for sustainable groundwater use through community outreach, data collection, scientific research, and financial assistance for those struggling with groundwater issues. We strive to be a resource for all those that depend on groundwater, including our communities, our families, and our habitats.
American Aquifers is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. At American Aquifers, we believe "EVERY DROP COUNTS". Although surface water is seen and felt, groundwater plays an equally important role in water resources. While the two vary greatly in volume, we are all intrinsically linked - when one is overdrawn, it drastically impacts the other - resulting in significant loss of water supply, damage to the environment, and other negative consequences. These implications reverberate throughout our habitats, throughout our communities, and impact our families. The better we understand groundwater resources, the more we can protect it, the better we can use it, and the greater it will benefit our environment and our families for generations to come.
Mission Statement: To protect our aquifers and promote sustainable use through research, community outreach, and by educating, assisting, and advocating for those whose quality of life depends on groundwater.