The San Francisco Surfrider Foundation was started 34+ years ago by a group of environmentally conscious surfers and is now a volunteer-run, non-profit consisting of activists, researchers, and dedicated community members working to protect the world’s ocean, beaches and diverse coastline. They do so by organizing beach cleanups, educational events and social gatherings. One of these is their "Message In A Bottle" exhibition that offers community based art installations, live music, performances, and education projects that encourage collaboration between local artists, students, environmental non-profits, and government agencies to raise awareness about ocean plastic pollution and inspire change. In 2018 I created a piece to be exhibited at this event using the sterilized wings and feet from birds that were found washed up on the shore on the beaches of San Francisco. I repurposed a mantel clock case, small oil can and other found objects to reconstruct the figure of a feathered friend and commemorate the millions of birds that have perished from ingesting plastic from our polluted oceans. The 3 suspended plastic bottles in his belly contain the words "Thinking of You". Thinking of You, 2018 assemblage, 13" x 19" x 10", presently available for purchase ($325) #surfriderfoundation #thinkingofyou #pollutedoceans #saveouroceans #feathereredfriend #ingestedplastic #oceanconservation #oceanlover #cleanoceans #protecttheocean ##saveourseas #birdwings #wildlife #messageinabottle #assemblageart #assemblage #assemblageartists #upcylce #recycle #creativereuse #diannehoffmanart #environmentalart #artwithaconscious #environmentallyconscious https://www.instagram.com/p/CanRgw7PWo1/?utm_medium=tumblr