How might we comprehend the vastness of oceans? What do oceans tell us about our past, present and future?
The Stories from the Sea project emerged from a collaboration between the UCI Humanities Center, Newport Beach Library Foundation, UCI Center for Storytelling, UCI Libraries, and UCI History Department.
In 2020-2021, the UCI Humanities Center explored the theme of “Oceans.” They constitute 70% of the world’s surface and are home to 94% of all the species on earth. How might we comprehend the vastness of oceans? What do oceans tell us about our past, present and future?
The Stories from the Sea initiative formed to train students to conduct interviews and preserve important memories of encounters with the sea. Partnering with the Newport Beach Public Library Foundation was a wonderful opportunity to foster university connections with our
local community.
In the Fall of 2020, the Stories of the Sea project sponsored a speaker series with university and local leaders who shared how they preserve important histories of this region. The Center for Storytelling also mentored students to conduct interviews and collect memorabilia that are being archived by the Orange County Regional History Center.
During winter of 2020, the UCI Humanities Center, the Center for Storytelling, UCI Libraries, the Department of History, and the Newport Beach Public Library Foundation hosted interns to continue their research, expand their projects, archive the materials, create websites, and learn new skills.
During spring of 2021, these Stories from the Sea were showcased at an event hosted by the Newport Beach Library Foundation on May 6.
Watch the event trailer here:
The project received the generous support of funding from California Humanities and the Isidore & Penny Myers Foundation