August 1st marked my third Sea Change Summer Party with Joanne Artman, benefiting the amazing conservation organization Oceana. The last two were held at a lavish villa in Laguna Beach, and this year the venue was a gorgeous pavilion overlooking the sea at the Strand in Dana Point, a developing oceanfront region that proved to be an awe-inspiring backdrop for the speakers of Oceana. The Pacific loomed beside us: beautiful, immense; a presence in the room.
Oceana does magnificently what would seem impossible: they pair a serious, sometimes downright grim topic (the devastation of our oceans) with lighthearted notes that elegantly allow the guest to engage with the material and actually hear what the speakers are sharing. They tell the truth about the seriousness of the situation, but also provide examples of their progress and success, allowing the listener to avoid shutting down: which I feel is a defense mechanism in our intensely media and news-saturated age. They are truly gaining ground and making an impact, and I am proud to have been able to donate and contribute during the auction portions of each event.
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