The ReefLine nonprofit launched its new Blue Arts Award on the Greek island of Hydra, calling on artists to create site-specific underwater sculptures that function as artificial reefs. The award is part of the larger ReefLine project, a seven-mile underwater sculpture park and hybrid reef off Miami Beach, designed by Shohei Shigematsu of OMA, with construction set to begin in September 2025. The first winning artwork will be installed in 2027. ReefLine Founder and Artistic Director Ximena Caminos envisions the project as a blend of public art, marine science, and climate action, aiming to restore the Florida Reef Tract, combat shoreline erosion, and boost biodiversity.
This initiative matters because it represents a novel intersection of contemporary art and ecological restoration, offering artists a platform to create works with tangible environmental impact. By inviting global creatives to "dream at the scale of the ocean," the Blue Arts Award could set a precedent for how public art projects address climate change and marine conservation. The involvement of an international jury and nominators underscores the project's ambition to become a model for creative coastal solutions worldwide.