4 minute read
LOCAL SPOTLIGHT
Under the SEA
Palm Beach Gardens underwater photographer Michael Patrick O’Neill will soon release his eighth book, Meet Me Underwater: A Photographic Celebration of Florida’s Aquatic Wonders. Like his others, this new volume pairs O’Neill’s stunning photos with snippets of text about life below the surface. A photojournalistic delight, Meet Me Underwater features many snaps from Palm Beach County waterways, celebrating the area’s beautiful biodiversity.
If you’re hoping to venture out yourself to spot something photoworthy, you’re in luck. “Palm Beach County is one of my absolute favorite places to dive because of our geography,” shares O’Neill. Here at the easternmost point of Florida, the Gulf Stream grazes the coastline, rendering our waters warm, crystal clear, and full of surprises. “Local divers live by the motto ‘expect the unexpected’ because anything can show up, from a whale shark to a leatherback sea turtle.”
O’Neill says the best dive sites are the various reefs between the Lake Worth Pier and Jupiter, especially the reef just off the beach at The Breakers. To explore sunken ships and teeming reefs, he recommends booking a wreck-and-reef combo dive through a local outfitter such as Walker’s Dive Charters.
O’Neill’s books are available at conservation sites including Gumbo Limbo Nature Center and Loggerhead Marinelife Center but are primarily sold online. (mpostock.com; batfishbooks.com)
MICHAEL PATRICK O’NEILL
MICHAEL PATRICK O’NEILL
INSIDER
By Skye Sherman
Some of O’Neill’s most impressive work results from blackwater diving— nighttime descents into deep open ocean.
ICONS Come Alive
COURTESY OF STREET ART REVOLUTION
The new faces at 518 Clematis Street are actually legends. Four local talents from Street Art Revolution, a Black-owned, artist-led public art collective, recently put the finishing touches on Icons of the Civil Rights Movement, a history-teaching mural with portraits and quotes honoring both unsung heroes and prominent figures including Harriet Tubman, Malcolm X, and Fannie Lou Hamer. The 100-foot-wide, 18-foot-tall wall on which it appears was last home to the I Can’t Breathe installation following the murder of George Floyd in May 2020.
Artist Dalhia Perryman, who painted Ella Baker and Augusta Savage, says the image of Savage is her favorite because “she looks so happy and full of hope.” Perryman adds that a highlight of working on the mural was connecting with community members from varied backgrounds. “Conversations about the mural, Black history, and women’s history often evolved into talks about how we can better engage with others in more humane ways,” she says. “To me, it proves we all want better for ourselves and our communities.”
Curator Caron Bowman adds: “I hope when people look at the mural, they take pride in the African American community’s contribution to American society for the fight for freedom that is intrinsic to American democracy.”
The mural was completed in partnership with the West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority, the West Palm Beach Arts & Entertainment District, and Sub-Culture Group. (streetartrevolution.org; downtownwpb.com)
Katie Sturino is an entrepreneur, digital influencer, BODY TALK 1 Look at who you follow on social media; unfollow them if they make you Look to Idalia Baudo, founder and and body-acceptance advocate who recently feel bad about yourself. creative director of Idalia Baudo moved to Palm Beach. Through her popular Insta- Jewelry, for your new favorite gram, website, podcast, and personal care brand, Sturino challenges body “norms” and encourages women to stop defining themselves Start paying attention to the way you talk about your body. 2 accessory. The local designer recently introduced headbands with posh details like hand-beaded by their size. Her interactive and trim, silk lining, and tips with silk humorous book, Body Talk: How to Embrace Your Body and Start Living Your Best Life, hits shelves May 25. Here, she shares three quick 3 Reexamine the rules you’ve set for yourself. For example: “I grosgrain. The understated bands are accented in white, rose gold, or black and are available in various styles, all featuring a flexible tips for letting go of body issues. don’t wear white jeans because non-pinch structure for comfort(katiesturino.com) you can see my cellulite.” able all-day wear. (idaliaco.com)
JUNETEENTH
JUNETEENTH, OR FREEDOM DAY, CELEBRATES THE EMANCIPATION OF PREVIOUSLY ENSLAVED PEOPLE IN THE UNITED STATES. IT’S OBSERVED ANNUALLY ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE JUNE 19, 1865, UNION ARMY ANNOUNCEMENT PROCLAIMING FREEDOM FROM SLAVERY IN TEXAS. CELEBRATIONS TYPICALLY INCLUDE PUBLIC READINGS OF THE EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION AND WORKS BY NOTED AFRICAN AMERICAN WRITERS, TRADITIONAL SONGS, AND SPIRITED GATHERINGS SUCH AS STREET FAIRS AND COOKOUTS. LOCALLY, THE SPADY CULTURAL HERITAGE MUSEUM WILL HOST A JUNETEENTH CONCERT AT ARTS GARAGE FEATURING PAT “MOTHER BLUES” COHEN. (SPADYMUSEUM.COM)
