2nd place, 2008 Aquatic Life at the Aquariums, Karen Doody - koi at Pine Knoll Shores

If you like to take photos, picture this — your pastime could win you $500 in the 2009 North Carolina Aquariums’ Underwater Photo Contest. And you don’t even have to get wet. The Aquatic Life at the Aquariums category features photos of animals and exhibits at the three state Aquariums - at Fort Fisher, at Pine Knoll Shores and on Roanoke Island.

Divers can compete in two other categories, Underwater Animal Close-ups or Underwater Open, with photos taken in the waters off the coast of North Carolina or within the state’s freshwater systems.Photos must be submitted online at by midnight, Dec. 31, 2009. (more…)

On October 1, 2009, the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island will become one of the few institutions in the world to exhibit marine paintings by renowned artist and conservationist Frank Stick (1884-1966).  Some of the works to be shown at the Aquarium were last seen in public at the Musée Océanographique de Monaco in 1988.

Hooked! The Reel Art of Frank Stick focuses on his watercolors of fish, on loan from the Outer Banks History Center (OBHC) in Manteo.  The exhibition celebrates the 20th  anniversary of the OBHC and runs through December.

Stick, a student of Howard Pyle and colleague of N.C. Wyeth, was one of the most popular and prolific American illustrators of the early 20th century.  He was also a lifelong sportsman, a founder of the Izaak Walton League, and co-author of the first book on surf fishing.

Stick visited the undeveloped Outer Banks of North Carolina on a fishing trip in the mid-1920s.  Like many before and since, he was hooked.  Despite the area’s lack of roads, bridges, and electricity, he gave up commercial art and moved with his family to the Banks.  Over the next 37 years, he played a major role in local economic growth (one of his subdivisions became the Town of Southern Shores) and the stabilization of the beaches.  He was also involved in the creation of the Wright Brothers National Monument, the Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, Cape Hatteras National Seashore and the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge.

When he returned to his easel in semi-retirement, Stick concentrated on two subjects that he knew well: fish and fishing.  A planned field guide never took shape, but he continued to paint until a few weeks before his death.

Stick’s early work had been scattered, but most of the fish paintings went to his son David (1919-2009) who was himself an eminent historian and author.  In 1981 the University of North Carolina Press published a majority of the paintings in a book entitled An Artist’s Catch.  Six years later, David Stick donated his library, his papers and 324 of his father’s paintings to the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources to form the nucleus of the Outer Banks History Center.

The OBHC, a regional archives and research library administered by the N.C. State Archives, is located at Roanoke Island Festival Park in Manteo.  In addition to the Stick paintings, the Center’s holdings comprise nearly 300,000 manuscripts, photographs, books and maps.  For  more information, contact  the Center at (252) 473-2655 or by e-mail at obhc@ncdcr.gov.

This art exhibition is included in Aquarium admission.  Visit www.ncaquariums.com or call 252-473-3494 or 1-866-332-3475 for more information about Hooked! and the many other Aquarium exhibits and programs.

The North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island invites you to “Be a Child at the Aquarium.” On December 12 and 13 all adults visiting the aquarium will receive the child admission price of $7.  Check out the 285,000-gallon Graveyard of the Atlantic exhibit, featuring the 10:30 a.m. “Dialogue with a Diver” program.  Other exhibits include Wetland on the Edge, Saltwater Gallery, two touch tanks and the new Oceans Revealed: Power of the Planet exhibit.   Have your photo taken by FotoFx, while you share your experience with your children or grand children.  Open 9-5 daily, call 252-473-3494 or visit www.ncaquariums.com for more information.

Aquarium Director Jay Barnes, left, accepts Community Advocate award from Chamber President Mike Wagoner.

The Carteret County Chamber of Commerce honored the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores recently with a Community Advocate award.

The award, presented during the annual JobLink appreciation luncheon, singles out employers that “go the extra mile” to make Carteret County a better place, said Chamber President Mike Wagoner.

Wagoner said the county is fortunate to be a family-friendly tourist destination.

“The crown jewel, the place that really puts us on the map, is the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores,” he said.

Monday, December 22, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This day is nothing but fish.  We will feed fish at the Aquarium, make an assortment of fishy crafts to keep or give as gifts, and go fishing (weather permitting).  Ages 8-12; Cost $30; Preregistration required.  Call 252-473-3494 ext. 232.

Monday, December 21, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. How do animals survive in the dark?  On the shortest day of the year, learn about nocturnal and deep sea animals.  Make sand and shell candles to light the night or give as gifts.  Ages 8-12; Cost $30; Preregistration required. Call 252-473-3494 ext. 232.

Wednesday, November 25, 2009 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Ever wonder what the Aquarium animals eat? Spend a day learning what it takes to feed our sharks, otters, and other residents. Observe mealtime in action.  Ages 8-12; Cost $30; Preregistration is required. Call 252-473-3494 ext. 232.

Thousands of fins could use some helping hands. The North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores is recruiting volunteers to provide visitors with memorable experiences. Volunteers help visitors explore North Carolina’s waterways, provide children unforgettable touch tank experiences, assist with special events — and play a direct role in coastal conservation.

“Aquarium volunteers are conservation ambassadors who share our message of animal and habitat preservation,” said Volunteer Coordinator Chris Carlin. “Additional perks are the friendships made and the fellowship enjoyed. Volunteering at the Aquarium provides food for the brain and fun for the spirit.”

No prior experience is necessary. Anyone interested in aquatic habitats and animals is encouraged to apply. Volunteers are trained in environmental education and animal handling. Flexible schedules are available. Additional benefits include free Aquarium admission, discounts at the Aquarium Gift Shop and on special activities.  See the Volunteer page for more information and to download an application form, or contact Chris Carlin at 252-247-4003, ext. 286.

The NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher invites you to view the peaceful moments in life with its new Spadefish gallery art exhibit. “Photography by Matt Lettrich” will be on display September- November. The exhibit showcases breathtaking photographs of coastal landscapes with unique lighting and remarkable perspectives.

After taking a darkroom studio photography course in high school, Lettrich became entranced by photography. The class credit quickly morphed into a passionate hobby. Lettrich enjoys engaging in outdoor activities and snapping shots of subjects that enhance his experience. His camera always accompanies him in case the perfect shot arises, such as waves crashing underneath a pier or a fisherman lifting a cast net out of the water at sunset. Matt currently attends the University of North Carolina Wilmington as a graduate student in the Marine Science program.

The Spadefish gallery at the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher showcases local artists throughout the year. Artwork that coincides with the Aquarium’s mission of “Inspiring Appreciation and Conservation of North Carolina’s Aquatic Environment” is located on the second floor, near the auditorium.

Tagged loggerhead released in Gulf Stream.

A young sea turtle the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores recently released is keeping in touch as it gets acquainted with its new home, the Atlantic Ocean.

Aquarium staff tagged the loggerhead with a transmitter that uses satellite technology similar to the Global Positioning System (GPS), to periodically pinpoint the turtle’s location. Staff and researchers can monitor turtle’s movements.

Thanks to the Internet, the public also can follow the turtle’s travels. “Its accessibility makes this program an extraordinary educational tool,” said Pat McNeese, the Aquarium’s Research and Conservation Coordinator.

The website, Seaturtle.org, provides a tracking center for  sea turtles and other marine animals from around the world, free of charge. The recently released turtle is listed by the name of “Chestnut” on the tracking site. (more…)