PORT TOWNSEND — A trip to the beach usually yields such compelling souvenirs as ornate shells and shapely rocks.
A small exhibit case on the Marine Science Center’s pier displays a different collection.
The display, which was created this summer by volunteer Rachel Gaspers, documents some of the less romantic objects that are found on beaches, such as electronics, clothing, messages in bottles and other decidedly inorganic items.
Gaspers recruited her husband, Joe, to retrofit a leaking 200-gallon aquarium that was previously used to display eelgrass.
Flotsam, jetsam
The original idea was to offer a rotating exhibit of flotsam and jetsam, changing the items every six months or so to include those newly found.
When assembling the exhibit, Gaspers had to learn these definitions: Flotsam is something that has inadvertently washed overboard while jetsam is cast overboard deliberately.
The items now in the collection include knives, straws, tools, bottles, toys, shrimp pots and cell phones.
Ecological theme
While the exhibit has an artistic intention, its theme is ecological and demonstrates how unnatural items are polluting nature.
For instance, plastic tossed overboard can be ingested by fish and find its way into the food supply.
This message aside, something as a mundane as a soda can won’t be included.
“We will show things that are interesting or funny or thought-provoking,” Gaspers said.
“We won’t use a Coke or beer can unless it is an antique or unique in some other way.”
The major requirement is that the object not be native or natural. Anything dead or disgusting also doesn’t qualify.
And items of great value, such as jewelry, coins or ancient artifacts, don’t fit.
Value, however, can be in the eye of the beholder, and an item found on the beach may mean something profound to the person who found it.
For this reason, Gaspers stressed that any item displayed is considered to be a loan and will be returned to the owner at a time set by that owner.
“A lot of these things are unnatural and pollute the environment,” Gaspers said.
“But it is possible to see the beauty in them.”
Even as spectators show an interest in the exhibit, the response to the call for items was less than overwhelming, and the entire collection is now on display.
Looking for items
Gaspers is sounding the call for items again, hoping that people will bring in what they have found on local beaches to share with the public.
For more information or to contribute an item, e-mail lindarjg@gmail.com.
The Natural History Exhibit is open from noon to 4 p.m. Friday through Sunday.
The Marine Exhibit is closed in the winter.
For more information about the center, phone 360-385-5582 or e-mail info@ptmsc.org.
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
