Reimagine by Selva Ozelli

On the theme of Reimagine, award winning oil artist Selva Ozelli who is an ambassador to Oceanic Global has prepared five art exhibitions for the first ever World Oceans Day celebrated with over 10% of the global ocean officially designated as protected areas with the entry into force of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement, also known as the High Seas Treaty, a historic, legally binding international treaty that entered into force on January 17, 2026.

1. Ocean Lovers – Angel Fish Flag CCL for National Lighthouse Museum, 200 The Promenade at Lighthouse Point, Staten Island, NY 10301 is an acclaimed art exhibition and series created by international artist, lawyer, author and environmentalist Selva Ozelli. Standing for the Roman numeral 250 (CCL), the flag is part of Ozelli’s broader Flag CCL Series that has been endorsed by Freedom 250, a national campaign highlighting American innovation and history and has been integrated into numerous high-profile global environmental campaigns and official United Nations side events.

The series masterfully blends environmental themes with patriotic and cultural symbolism to raise global awareness about marine biodiversity, and the fragility of coral reef ecosystems. The oil artwork painted on 260 12 x 12 inch wood panels specifically celebrates angelfish and highlights the National Lighthouse Museum’s partnership with the Billion Oyster Project, a major NYC initiative based on Governors Island dedicated to restoring oyster reefs and improving harbor biodiversity. As reefs occupy a mere 0.1% of the global sea surface but support more than 25% of marine biodiversity.

The 20 ft by 13 ft Flag highlights the historical intersection of our country’s maritime history, historic site preservation, and ecological innovation.

2. Ocean Lovers – To the Core Flag CCL for Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University (LDEO) 61 US-9W, Palisades, NY 10964 is an oil artwork 5 ft x 5 ft painted on 35 wood panels in a flag design celebrates LDEO’s foundational contributions to Earth and marine science. Standing for the Roman numeral 250 (CCL), the flag is part of Ozelli’s broader Flag CCL Series that has been endorsed by Freedom 250, a national campaign highlighting American innovation and history and has been integrated into numerous high-profile global environmental campaigns and official United Nations side events.

The visual composition incorporates vibrant red and green sea grass alongside migratory, anadromous fish native to the Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea, Atlantic Ocean, and the Hudson River Estuary. The piece is specifically inspired by real-world ocean floor core research. It reflects the work of LDEO paleoclimate scientists like Dr. Dorothy Peteet (wetlands and carbon sequestration) and the historic marine geology findings of Drs. William Ryan and Walter Pitman, who used deep-sea cores to trace ancient catastrophic flood timelines.

3. Paradise Flag CCL for Havre de Grace Maritime Museum and Environmental Center 100 Lafayette Street Havre de Grace, MD 21078 is a collaborative environmental art piece created by world-renowned Australian nature photographer Ian Hutton and award-winning oil artist and environmentalist Selva Ozelli. The digital art initiative combines marine and terrestrial wildlife photography with fine art to advocate for biodiversity conservation and climate action. Standing for the Roman numeral 250 (CCL), the flag is part of Ozelli’s broader Flag CCL Series that has been endorsed by Freedom 250, a national campaign highlighting American innovation and history and has been integrated into numerous high-profile global environmental campaigns and official United Nations side events.

4. The inaugural Peace Boat US Ocean Gala & Blue Innovation Reception Onboard the Peace Boat at the Manhattan Cruise Terminal, NYC
takes place on Wednesday, June 10, 2026. The event is part of the United Nations World Oceans Day celebrations, featuring sustainable fashion, ocean conservation awards, and networking with climate leaders.
Time: 5:00 PM – 9:30 PM (EDT)

5. “Paradise” for LDEO 61 US-9W, Palisades, NY 10964. is a collaborative environmental art exhibition featuring photographs by Ian Hutton and oil paintings by Selva Ozelli to raise global awareness about marine conservation by showcasing the unique and fragile ecosystem of Australia’s Lord Howe Island Group (LHIG), a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Reimagining Our Oceans: Five Art Shows Celebrating World Oceans Day