MARINE LIFE ART EXHIBIT created by the children of grade -5 of Nova Dwight D. Eisenhower Elementary Schools Science class under the tutelage of Ms. Kendra Ward , and hosted by marine Wildlife artist William Bock at Art & Frame in Davie, Florida. This exhibit and petition drive is to help promote a healthy and sustainable marine environment for an endangered species called small tooth sawfish.

THE ARTWORK expresses the Beauty of this unusual endangered species and depicts some of the threats to its habitat and existence and was created in Ms. Ward’s classroom at Nova Eisenhower with help from wildlife artist William Bock as part of an out-reach program developed by his art organization, Our Children, Our Oceans, Our Future.

THE PETITION promotes the importance of implementing policies recommended in the small tooth sawfish recovery plan by the NOAA (National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Associations), Fisheries Service Division by implementation and enforcement of new and existing legislation to protect estuaries, mangrove growth and damage caused by pollution and fishing abuses which affect the sawfish as well as our quality of water and all sea life in Florida. Copies of the signed petition will go out to legislators and other local officials, including Incoming Governor Charlie Crist accompanied by a letter from the Children Thanking him for his part in the Florida Gill net ban and asking for his continued help in addressing the issues put forward in the Small Tooth sawfish recovery plan.

Mote Marine Laboratory, senior biologist, Tonya Wiley, was instrumental in drafting the small tooth sawfish recovery plan and has provided assistance and data for the project.

Ms. Ward teaches Grades – 5 with an emphasis on science. She explained that the students need to be aware of environmental issues that affect the world around us. This project is teaching the students about various species and our environment and how they can make a difference in helping these species not become extinct.

Founded by Artist William Bock , OUR OCEANS, OUR CHILDREN, OUR FUTURE promotes environmental awareness through art education by provides scholarships for art classes in its Davie Florida classroom. The organization also supports children's health, environmental and educational causes.

Born in Chicago, marine wildlife artist Bock began his professional career at Indiana University, followed by an apprenticeship at the Johnson Atelier Technical Institute and School of Sculpture in New Jersey. He received his Master of Fine Arts degree at the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore, MD in 1987. The ocean, seashells and tropical flora and fauna are recurring themes in his artwork. In 1994 he moved to Florida to surround himself with the tropical landscape that inspires his work. William Bock has exhibited extensively throughout the United States and has participated in several museum exhibitions. He has won numerous awards fro his painting and his work is included in many prestigious collections including AT&T, The IGFA Museum and the US Embassy, Bahamas.

Contacts:
Nova Eisenhower Elementary School: Ms. Kendra Ward @ (754) 323-6650
Art & Frame Shop: William Bock @ (954) 442-1551