PORT ANGELES — The fence surrounding The Landing mall is starting to look more and more like something from under the sea.
About 10 students from Lincoln High School moved images of microscopic plankton from inside the building, where they had been auctioned off last year after the students had decorated them, to the fence on the west side of the building earlier this week.
There they joined a fence full of marine creatures in a project, Fish on the Fence, that benefits both the Arthur D. Feiro Marine Life Center on City Pier in Port Angeles and the Lincoln High School Commercial Art program.
“I think we’ve had an amazing turnout — especially for a school with an enrollment of less than 100,” said Melissa Klein, Lincoln High School art teacher.
The plankton joined large painted depictions of fish common to the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The Lincoln High students have contributed for three years.
The goal is to eventually cover the fence with images of 20,000 sea creatures.
Each plankton image offers two visions.
On one side is an artistic interpretation of whatever the student wished.
On the other is a realistic representation of what the creature looks like.
For this year’s fundraiser, the students are decorating marine mammals, Klein said.
“They are doing a whole lot more research this year,” she said.
“We are looking at the whole ecosystem and things that could impact or hurt the different species.
“So whether they need text or other ways to represent those dangers, they are still researching.”
Sea creatures will be “auctioned” off at a Feb. 11 fundraiser, which will be at 5:30 p.m. at the Port Angeles Yacht Club, 1305 Marine Drive, said Betsy Wharton, a board member for the marine life center.
Those who win will be named on the fence.
Other items will also be available at a live and silent auction.
The students volunteered to help move the fish on their first day of winter break, BreeAnn Duckett said.
“It is a really great way for us to help out and to give back,” she said.
Kyle Sitherwood helped last year with the painting and said he intends to help again this year.
“We have to make room for all the new fish we are going to make,” he said.
The idea for Fish on the Fence was conceived by Paul Cronauer, owner of The Landing mall, whose vision is to surround the building with thousands of fish and other marine species while raising public awareness of the marine life center.
Tickets to February’s benefit will be $40 per person. Hors d’oeuvres and drinks will be available.
Tickets have not been printed yet, but may be reserved by phoning the marine life center at 360-417-6254.
For more information about the center, vist www.feiromarinelifecenter.org.
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Reporter Paige Dickerson can be reached at 360-417-3535 or at paige.dickerson@peninsuladailynews.com.
