The Importance of Plankton – Art Exhibit by Susan Taylor

The Gulf of Georgia Cannery is honoured to present paintings of plankton by Susan Taylor on view as part of Ocean Week Canada (June 1-9, 2024). Susan will be at the Cannery to facilitate people viewing actual plankton samples taken from the Fraser River through a microscope, and to share her knowledge about these tiny animals that are vital to the marine food web:

  • June 1st/ June 7th from 12-1:30 pm 
  • June 3rd/ June 6th from 11:30-1 pm 
  • June 8th from 11-1 pm and 2-3 pm – World Ocean Day

“These paintings are my attempt to make plankton emotionally attractive. It’s difficult for most of us to care about something that’s usually no bigger than a fly speck. If we can’t see something, most of us tend not to care about it. You might be saying to yourself, “but what can I do about all of this?” A good start would be to say “no” to single use plastics. Most plastics end up in the oceans, disintegrate into microplastics and then are consumed by the oceans’ creatures, from zooplankton to whales. Saying “no” to single use plastics is a good way each of us can take action to protect the ocean we love.”—Susan Taylor

Watch CBC Vancouver – The Promise of Phytoplankton

Learn more about plankton, Ocean Week Canada and World Oceans Day:

View more artworks by Susan Taylor here