Ocean exhibit in Bay City

Experience the spirit of the annual Ocean Celebration, traditionally held each August at Cape Lookout, during a pair of special events at the Bay City Arts Center this Friday and Saturday, Feb. 6 and 7.

The winter showcase highlights the work of mixed-media artist and performer Eduardo Cruz, founder of the cultural group Huehca Omeyocan and the creative force behind the Ocean Celebration.

Friday’s First Friday gallery opening features Cruz as February’s Artist of the Month, presenting wood-burning artwork and cultural artifacts connected to the celebration. Environmental partners including Friends of Netarts Bay WEBS and Oregon Shores will also be on hand, highlighting the intersection of art, culture and environmental stewardship.

The fun continues Saturday with a ticketed live performance led by Huehca Omeyocan, featuring ancestral music, traditional drumming and Aztec dance with interactive audience participation.

“This immersive experience honors the living traditions of Anahuac (Mesoamerican) culture,” Cruz said. “The performance includes a beautifully curated display of instruments and artifacts from cultures across Mesoamérica, inviting audiences to engage, immerse and connect with the rhythms and stories of these ancestral traditions.”

Together, these two events offer a rare winter opportunity to experience the creativity, cultural depth and community partnerships that have made the Ocean Celebration a meaningful annual tradition on the Oregon coast.

Friday’s gallery opening runs from 5 to 7 pm and Saturday’s live performance runs from 6 to 8:30 pm at the Bay City Arts Center, located at 5680 A Street. Tickets for Saturday’s performance are $20. For more information or to purchase tickets, go to netartsbaywebs.org.