The Art of Newport Beach Wildlife: Pollinators & Native Plants at Upper Newport Bay
The Art of Newport Beach Wildlife: Pollinators & Native Plants at Upper Newport Bay
Saturday, July 18, 2026, marked another inspiring afternoon of art, nature, and conservation as Wildlife Jewels hosted the second event in our The Art of Newport Beach Wildlife series at beautiful Upper Newport Bay. Supported by the City of Newport Beach Cultural Arts Grant, this community program is designed to inspire appreciation for local wildlife and habitats through art, education, and meaningful outdoor experiences.
Participants of all ages gathered to explore the fascinating world of pollinators and native plants and discover the essential roles they play in sustaining healthy ecosystems. Through an engaging educational presentation, attendees learned about the importance of protecting pollinators, restoring native habitats, and taking action to conserve the wildlife that shares our communities.
Throughout the afternoon, participants explored Wildlife Jewels artwork featuring local pollinators we have rescued or observed through our wildlife conservation efforts. These original works highlighted hummingbirds, butterflies, native bees, and other remarkable species while demonstrating how art can encourage a deeper appreciation for wildlife.
Inspired by these animals and plants, participants created their own pollinator-themed artwork through our Paint the Jewels activity. They painted on canvas and expressed their creativity through a colorful gemstone collage experience, with each contribution reflecting a unique perspective on the beauty and importance of pollinators and native plants.
Together, participants helped bring our collaborative canvas, Jewels of Newport Beach: Pollinators & Native Plants, to life. The evolving artwork celebrates the species and habitats that help sustain Newport Beach’s coastal ecosystems and reflects the creativity of the many community members contributing to the series.
The setting itself became part of the inspiration. Surrounded by the scenic landscapes and wildlife of Upper Newport Bay, also known as the Back Bay, participants experienced the natural environment that inspired the day’s artwork. One of the highlights was the opportunity to observe a precious osprey family, offering a memorable reminder that art and conservation are deeply connected to the living wildlife around us.
Programs such as The Art of Newport Beach Wildlife demonstrate how creativity can inspire curiosity, encourage stewardship, and foster a meaningful connection with the natural world. By bringing together art, science, wildlife education, and community participation, Wildlife Jewels hopes to empower people of all ages to become lifelong advocates for wildlife and their habitats.
Participants will have the opportunity to continue developing and completing both collaborative canvases from the series during our third event, The Art of Newport Beach Wildlife: Wildlife Connections, on August 14, 2026, at Marina Park in Newport Beach. The completed artwork will then be featured during our community showcase in October, celebrating the creativity, inspiration, and conservation messages shared throughout the program.
Wildlife Jewels extends our sincere gratitude to everyone who participated and helped make the day so special. We are also grateful to the City of Newport Beach for supporting this community arts and wildlife education series and to the Back Bay Science Center for providing such a beautiful and inspiring setting for the experience.
Together, through art, education, and community, we can inspire greater appreciation for wildlife and help protect the incredible animals and habitats that make Newport Beach such a special place.
Highlights from Wildlife Jewels’ The Art of Newport Beach Wildlife: Pollinators and Native Plants held on Saturday July 18
Surrounded by the beauty and wildlife of the Back Bay—including a precious Yellow-Crowned night heron and a majestic osprey family we had the delight of observing—the day was a wonderful reminder of how art can deepen our connection with wildlife and inspire us to protect the incredible animals and habitats around us.
The Story Continues
The collaborative artwork created during this event is only the beginning of its journey.
The paintings created at Kerckhoff Marine Laboratory on June 28 and at Back Bay Science Center on July 18, will return during Wildlife Jewels' The Art of Newport Beach Wildlife event in August as part of Newport Beach Art Week, where returning and new participants will have the opportunity to continue painting, refine details, and help complete these collaborative community masterpieces together.
The completed collection—including the Jewels of Newport Beach: Marine & Coastal Wildlife collaborative canvas and the Paint for Wildlife mixed-media artwork created by community participants—will then be unveiled during Wildlife Jewels' community art showcase this October, celebrating both the creativity of our community and the remarkable wildlife that inspired every brushstroke.
We hope everyone who joined us at Kerckhoff Marine Laboratory will return to help add the finishing touches and watch these collaborative works continue to evolve.
Coming Next: Wildlife Connections
Our next The Art of Newport Beach Wildlife community art experience will explore the many connections between Newport Beach’s wildlife, habitats, and the people who help protect them.
Hosted at beautiful Marina Park in Newport Beach, participants will learn about local wildlife and the important relationships that support healthy coastal ecosystems. Both collaborative canvases from the series will be available for participants to continue and complete, bringing together the pollinator, native plant, and wildlife themes explored throughout the program.
Free • All ages welcome • No art experience required
Registration is required, as space is limited.
