Oleas

Art Gallery

Cozumel for the Oceans

The *Cozumel for the Oceans* collective local art exhibition showcases the talent of 19 artists and features 33 stunning pieces, including both paintings and photographs. Through these works, we invite you to admire and raise awareness about the island’s biocultural heritage, seen through the eyes of its visual artists.

The curatorial focus of this exhibition is centered on the oceans and their biodiversity, along with the cultural and historical heritage of the Mayan region. Cozumel Island, a Biosphere Reserve and the mythical home of the goddess Ixchel, is uniquely situated within the Mesoamerican Reef (SAM) — the second largest coral barrier in the world. This natural wonder extends over 1,000 kilometers, from Cabo Catoche in northern Quintana Roo, Mexico, to the Bay Islands-Cayos Cochinos off the northern coast of Honduras.

This vital ecosystem is home to a vast number of species that are essential for maintaining the balance of the planet. Unfortunately, human activities such as tourism, industrial fishing, and the mismanagement of natural resources have put this ecosystem in jeopardy. Factors like climate change and poor waste management threaten its very survival.

In support of ocean conservation, 10% of the sales from this exhibition will be donated to the *Saving the Sharks Foundation*.