Congratulations on the continuing success of your Artist by the Sea series of informal lectures.  The Ocean Institute is truly living its mission to educate by presenting this very professional production to the public. 

An OI Member

Thank you Ocean Institute for bringing once again wonderful people such as Michelle and Howard Hall to Dana Point to share their life's work. We were entertained, enlightened and educated all at the same time. What a treat!

HPW

This program is so worth attending! All of the Artist by the Sea events that you have sponsored are just so good and so fascinating that I’ve given up trying to decide which has been my favorite one so far. The Halls packed a lot of information into the two hour program and it was evident how much joy they get from their work. They were very interesting and presented a great show.  BTW, the MC has a great voice!  Carla

I was happy to learn how the IMAX process works and surprised that the theater audience can see the wildlife in more detail than Howard does when he’s filming!  Unbelievably darling was the dragon fish.  After looking and looking among the plants to see what the Halls were talking about, there he was—this precious, darling dragon fish!!! After seeing so many beautiful underwater scenes, I now want to go to an IMAX 3D theater to get that up close and personal feeling with these amazing creatures in the Hall's Under the Sea films. Thanks for bringing the Halls and their work to our community, and thank you to the Ocean Institute staff for your dedicated work in making this evening successful in every way.

Gladys

Nice work Ocean Institute. The Halls were the most charming, interesting, informative couple with which to work with!  The Halls couldn't have been more engaging. The short video clips, still photos,  discussion, question and answer provided an excellent format to showcase the  Halls and their stunning films. KA

In an age where 80% of all the animals on Earth lie undiscovered, it's intriguing to host the pioneers of underwater photography who are gradually pulling away the veil that separates humans from their marine neighbors.  Inner space holds such vast mysteries that we can never know it all, yet the work of the Halls, matched with the curiosity of our kind, will eventually showcase those mysteries and offer a future full of understanding and sensitive sharing of our planet. And congratulations Bentley on a very smooth introduction to the Hall's program.  You just keep getting better.  MM

As an amature nature photographer and an oceanographer, this event was amazing and the photography was outstanding.

I mentioned to Michele afterwards that they had me in tears! The tears were for my grandchildren.  When I think of how beautiful this planet is and how diverse the creatures that inhabit the "Blue Planet" are i am amazed. Having participated on two oceanographic cruises this summer, one to the North Atlantic and one to the North Pacific, and of the total of 59 trawls we did - we found plastic in every trawl, I am saddened for my grandchildren.  I only hope that we can mobilize people to start 'getting connected' to the oceans, so that the kids of today can enjoy the wonderful underwater world, that I have seen in my lifeitme and the ocean that Howard and Michele have so exquisitely 'captured' on film for all of time. 

There is not enough time in the days or for that matter in their lifetimes, for Howard and Michele to make 50 more films to catch the ever increasing loss of biodiversity in our oceans.  We have to positively affect change in society and raise awareness of how careless and self-centered we have become to allow the ocean to be our dumping ground!  Remember it is downhill from everything and everyone!

The Ocean Institue is doing a marvelous job in 'spreading' the word about the ocean and the people that love it! Bravo!

B. Cooper

Our family has been able to attend all but one of these events and we’ve enjoyed them all.   Your guests  last night, Howard and Michele, were delightful and amazing! What adventures those two have had as they bring to underwater world to all of us.  We have seen some of their Imax works, and now that we’ve how much goes into making these films, we would love to go see it in 3D.  The Ocean Institute does a wonderful job with this series and we are looking forward to the next one.

Thanks
Members 2007

My family had so much fun!  What a great deal!  With the cookies, the hot chocolate, and all the goodies, while we listened to Howard and Michele Hall tell us all about how they filmed movies under water!  How fascinating their careers are!  Traveling and diving underwater, how awesome!  My family and I really appreciates that the Ocean Institute offers educational and fun events like this at a reasonable price!  Thank you for everything and keep these fantastic Artist by the Sea events coming!!

I enjoyed listening to Howard Hall talk about the process of making an IMAX film.  It is always fun and interesting to see how things like these are made.  I liked the way they explained the process and showed that footage of the IMAX camera making the film.  I loved the footage of the seals the best....I never get tired of looking at those critters.

The Artist by the Sea Lectures never disappoint!  From the lively banter between Howard and Michele, to the incredible footage, this event was defintely a great experience.  We are looking forward to the next Artist by the Sea!

Thank you to the Ocean Institute and it's wonderful staff for putting on this exciting series! 

- Ocean Institute Member since 2002

I have been a member of the Ocean Institute for several years.  I enjoy bringing my family down for all the events you have to offer and last night's event was great.  My husband and I were truly in awe of the work that Howard and Michele Hall do. They make a great team.  My husband even remarked that we could start diving and touring the world if we win the Home Raffle!

The staff at the event were very accomodating as well.  Thanks for the hot cocoa on such a beautiful fall night!

See you at the next Artist by the Sea.

Dear Ocean Institute,

Another faboulous Artist by the Sea.  Howard and Michelle Hall were so wonderful and funny.  Their stories were fabulous, and I learned so many new and exciting things.

The great white footage and the sea lions was awesome.

Thanks again - keep these going!!!