New Features for HallowMarine Include a “Real” Mermaid!
October 20, 2009
HallowMarine, the Oklahoma Aquarium’s Halloween event, October 27 – 31, 6:30 to 9:00, takes on several new twists this year with special dive shows and the first look at an extreme makeover in the Siegfried Families Shark Adventure. Bring your kids in their costumes to enjoy pirate-themed fun with a giant pirate ship and other inflatables, carnival games and trick-or-treating alongside the fish tanks. Friendly pirates roam the Aquarium handing out extra candy, but don’t miss the diving pirate and mermaid who offer tricks and treats in the Coral Reef. From 7:00 to 7:30 and 8:00 to 8:30, see beautiful mermaids swimming with the fish and a swashbuckling pirate posing for pictures.
HallowMarine is all indoors and all exhibits are open, including a new development. HallowMarine is the first time guests will see dramatic enhancements to the shark exhibit. Through generous support from Cox Communications, the ramps leading in and out of the walk-through tunnel and dome now feature effect lighting, informational graphics and interactive pieces. Other sponsors include the Oklahoma Tourism Department and Stein Iron Works. Portions of the shark exhibit have been closed periodically during the renovation, and while the entire exhibit will remain open during and after HallowMarine, additional pieces will be installed in the weeks to come.
HallowMarine will also mark the end of the Truckin’ For Turtles Contest. One lucky winner will be drawn Halloween night to win a brand new Ford Ranger SuperCab provided by Bill Knight Ford. Other prizes include a private sleepover in the Aquarium and a private tour to see the two, 200-pound Loggerhead Sea Turtles now living behind-the-scenes at the Aquarium just waiting on construction of a public exhibit. Raffle tickets to enter the Truckin’ For Turtles Contest are $20 each or 6 for $100 and are available at the Aquarium ticket office and may also be purchased online.
Tickets for HallowMarine are $10 for adults and $7 for children. That’s discounted from regular Aquarium admission, so it’s a unique opportunity for families to see the largest bull sharks in captivity, stingrays, otters and many other fascinating aquatic creatures at a lower price. Members receive $1 off, and for even more savings, visit select BancFirst locations to receive an additional $1 off coupon while supplies last. HallowMarine is made possible by our sponsors BancFirst, Cox Communications and TulsaKids Magazine.
Shark Sculpture Unveiled
October 6, 2009
Three years ago, Oklahoma Aquarium Deputy Director Kenny Alexopoulos decided he was tired of seeing the barren marble base in the Aquarium entryway intended for a bronze sculpture that never materialized. “I’d heard enough that it looked like a sarcophagus, or get asked if someone was buried in there, it was starting to feel like bad karma not having something on it,” said Alexopoulos. So, the marine biologist with skills in handling sharks, turned to the internet to learn how to sculpt them. He found a tutorial on a process using rebar, foam and clay and determined he could turn his artistic talent, seen in multiple painted murals in the Aquarium, to something three dimensional. Alexopoulos worked on the sculpture, depicting three bull sharks, in his spare time over the course of three years. The sculpture has now been cast in bronze and will be displayed in front of the Aquarium. “It finally feels real, there’s just something about the permanence of bronze,” Alexopoulos said.
The clay creation was cast at the Land’s End Foundry in Paonia, Colorado and was made possible through generous support of the Oklahoma Aquarium Foundation Board of Directors. Special thanks go to James and Barbara Dunn, Dr. Dean and Vesta VanTrease, W.C. "Tiny" and Barbara Tomsen and Bill and Alice Halfacre. Although Alexopoulos’ sculpture is one-of-a-kind, there is the option to cast six more full size, and there are plans to produce a smaller version of one of the sharks as a limited edition bank. The dedication ceremony and unveiling of Alexopoulos’ shark sculpture took place at 11:00, Tuesday, October 6th in the Aquarium entry. The sculpture will be permanently mounted on the marble base.
New Exhibit Opening Thursday
July 27, 2009
The Oklahoma Aquarium is officially opening a new exhibit to the public on Thursday, July 30th at 10:00. The Reasor’s Shrimp Boat and Cove in the Biodiversity Gallery is complete with the sounds of seagulls squawking, and a brightly colored backdrop. The boat and adjoining tide pools house shrimp, horseshoe crabs, urchins and other animals to touch and feed. The Oklahoma Aquarium thanks Reasor’s for generously sponsoring the new exhibit, which carries a strong conservation message related to seafood and research. The renovation of the Biodiversity Gallery is the first half of a two year plan to update two Aquarium Galleries by introducing more interactive opportunities for guests. Construction will begin soon on enhancing the Adaptation Gallery which will include the addition of a crawl-through tank with acrylic “pop-ups” for children and adventurous adults to see eye-to-eye with fish from the Amazon. Meanwhile, work continues on additions to the Siegfried Families Shark Adventure and on fundraising to construct a sea turtle exhibit. Now in its seventh year of operation, the Oklahoma Aquarium is proud of this ongoing progress to offer new and improved exhibits for the enjoyment of our guests.
The Aquarium is a non-profit 501(c) 3 dedicated to the mission, Conservation Through Education.
Newly completed Reasor's Shrimp Boat
Truckin’ For Turtles Campaign Kick Off
July 15, 2009
Everyone has a piggy bank of some kind, maybe a jar or tin can filled with quarters, dimes and nickels. For two hours Saturday morning, you can bring that piggy bank for a new turtle tank at the Oklahoma Aquarium, and for your coin collection, you could win a new truck! The Truckin’ For Turtles campaign kicks off from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, Saturday, July 18th in front of the Oklahoma Aquarium. The MidFirst Bank Mobile Coin Counter will be set up to accept donations, and MidFirst Bank will match a percentage of all money raised, to help the Oklahoma Aquarium Foundation build a new sea turtle exhibit. Everyone making a coin contribution during those two hours can enter a drawing to win a new Ford Ranger SuperCab provided by Bill Knight Ford. After the kick off coin collection, Truckin’ For Turtles tickets will be sold for $20 each or 6 for $100 at the Oklahoma Aquarium and other locations announced soon. A winner will be drawn at the Aquarium on Labor Day, September 7th. Other prizes include a private sleepover in the Aquarium and a special behind-the-scenes tour to see the turtles at feeding time.
The Oklahoma Aquarium has received a $500,000 challenge grant to build the $1.5 million sea turtle exhibit. The two, 200-pound Loggerhead Sea Turtles have been living behind-the-scenes, and waiting for a public exhibit since 2004. All sea turtles are either endangered or threatened, so it is the mission of the Oklahoma Aquarium Foundation, staff and volunteers to share these beautiful animals with visitors to foster greater appreciation and protection.
Waiting for a plane to arrive at Tulsa International Airport is now more fun for children, after the unveiling today of a new play area installed by the Oklahoma Aquarium. The kids zone is one of several recommendations made by a special airport committee, the Cultural Advisory Group, formed to enhance the visitor experience through art and cultural displays. The aquatic themed games and climb on toys are a benefit to parents with antsy kids, but the overall goal is to project a positive image of the Tulsa metro area and its attractions to travelers. The play area was produced and largely hand painted by Aquarium staff members, who enjoyed seeing children invited from a local daycare, give the interactive games their first real run through.
Children try out the new Aquarium themed play area at Tulsa International Airport.
Meanwhile, Aquarium staff are gearing up for a busy Spring Break, March 16 – 20, with a day camp for kids. The theme is “Water You Waiting For”, diving into the importance of water with science experiments, animal encounters, tours through the Aquarium, crafts, games and more. Kids will get to learn what water, bubbles and hamburgers have in common and discover if water is truly colorless, odorless and tasteless. Aquarium SeaCamps are designed for kids in kindergarten through 5th grade and each camp day is from 9:00 to 4:00, but for convenience, before and after care sessions are offered.
Spring Break Camp: March 16 - 20 $200 for the week with a 10% discount for Aquarium members. Morning and afternoon care is available for an additional fee of $5 per day. Early drop-off starts at 8:00 am and late pick up is available until 5:30 pm. A day to day option is also available for $50 per day from one to four days. Campers need to bring a sack lunch everyday with the exception of Friday. For more information call the Oklahoma Aquarium Education Department at 918-528-1508 or go to www.okaquarium.org.
