AGAINST ALL ODDS

AGAINST ALL ODDSAGAINST ALL ODDSAGAINST ALL ODDS

AGAINST ALL ODDS

AGAINST ALL ODDSAGAINST ALL ODDSAGAINST ALL ODDS

The Horseshoe Crab: Against All Odds

Plymouth Center for the Arts

June 12 through July 7, 2024


11 North Street, Plymouth, MA 


Opening Reception June 14, 6 PM


Click here for the Plymouth Center for the Arts Events Page

The Horseshoe Crab: Against All Odds

The Horseshoe Crab: Against All Odds Exhibition at the Plymouth Center for the Arts, June 14-July 7,

The exhibition has ended but you can view all 160 entries here

https://pinebarrensalliance.org/the-horseshoe-crab-against-all-odds/

Explore the World of Horseshoe Crabs

About "The Horseshoe Crab: Against All Odds" Exhibition

Horseshoe crabs have existed for more than 400 million years, surviving five mass extinctions, yet today they are threatened world-wide due to overfishing and loss of spawning habitat. Their blue blood contains an ingredient essential for biomedical testing, resulting in an ever-increasing pressure on their populations with little research into how bleeding affects them long term.


Through 2D and 3D art, interpretive panels and guest speakers, this exhibition will highlight the lifecycle and ecological importance of horseshoe crabs in the web of life.  We explore how human exploitation is threatening these creatures once so abundant that towns in Massachusetts paid bounties to rid beaches of them but are now missing from many of their former spawning grounds.


The exhibition features work in a variety of media including fine art, photography, printmaking, glass, ceramics, textile, sculpture, jewelry, etc., as artists explore the beauty of these ancient creatures, their ecological importance, and the threats they face. 

The exhibition encourages reflection on humanity's relationship with the natural world and the consequences of exploitation. It serves as a call to action to protect these sentient creatures and preserve biodiversity for future generations.

Events

Wed., Jun. 12, 2024

Exhibition Opens

10am

-

4pm

Russell Gallery

Wed., Jun. 12, 2024

Exhibition Opens

10am

-

4pm

Russell Gallery

Fri., Jun. 14

Opening Reception

6pm

-

8pm

Russell Gallery

Event Details

Fri., Jun. 14

Opening Reception

Artists and sponsors welcome the public. 

6pm

-

8pm

Russell Gallery

Sat., Jun. 15

Allison Argo presents her award-winning film Crash - A Tale of Two Species.

7pm

Russell Gallery

Event Details

Sat., Jun. 15

Allison Argo presents her award-winning film Crash - A Tale of Two Species.

Q&A to follow showing. 

7pm

Russell Gallery

Sun., Jun. 16

Carol "Krill" Carson, New England Coastal Wildlife Alliance

1:30pm

-

3:30pm

Art Studio

Event Details

Sun., Jun. 16

Carol "Krill" Carson, New England Coastal Wildlife Alliance

Children's horseshoe crab workshop --Learning through Arts and Crafts.

1:30pm

-

3:30pm

Art Studio

Thurs., Jun. 20

Mark Faherty, Mass Audubon, Science Coordinator, Cape Cod.

7pm

Russell Gallery

Event Details

Thurs., Jun. 20

Mark Faherty, Mass Audubon, Science Coordinator, Cape Cod.

Celebrate National Horseshoe Crab Day! Presentation with Q&A to follow. 

7pm

Russell Gallery

Sat., Jun. 22

JoAnn Byrnes, Wildlife Rehabilitator

1:30pm

-

3:30pm

Art Studio

Event Details

Sat., Jun. 22

JoAnn Byrnes, Wildlife Rehabilitator

 Children's Workshop—Learning through Arts and Crafts.

1:30pm

-

3:30pm

Art Studio

Sun., Jun. 23

Heidi Mayo, Artist and Author. Painting a Living Fossil in Watercolor.

1:30pm

-

3:30pm

Art Studio

Event Details

Sun., Jun. 23

Heidi Mayo, Artist and Author. Painting a Living Fossil in Watercolor.

 Children's Workshop—Learning through Arts and Crafts.

1:30pm

-

3:30pm

Art Studio

Fri., Jun. 28

Liana DiNunzio, Manomet, Shorebird Biologist

7pm

Russell Gallery

Event Details

Fri., Jun. 28

Liana DiNunzio, Manomet, Shorebird Biologist

Presentation followed by Q&A.

7pm

Russell Gallery

Sun., Jun. 30

Linda Coombs, Indigenous Resources Collaborative

1pm

-

3pm

Russell Gallery

Event Details

Sun., Jun. 30

Linda Coombs, Indigenous Resources Collaborative

Gallery Talk and Demonstration

1pm

-

3pm

Russell Gallery

Sat., Jul. 6

Thomas J. Novitsky, Ph.D.

7pm

Russell Gallery

Event Details

Sat., Jul. 6

Thomas J. Novitsky, Ph.D.

Presentation: Horseshoe Crabs Through the Ages—The Science and Beauty of Horseshoe Crab Fossils.  Q&A to follow.

7pm

Russell Gallery

Sun., Jul 7

Deborah Cramer, Author, "The Narrow Edge: A Tiny Bird, an Ancient Crab, and an Epic Journey"

1pm

Russell Gallery

Event Details

Sun., Jul 7

Deborah Cramer, Author, "The Narrow Edge: A Tiny Bird, an Ancient Crab, and an Epic Journey"

Final Day!  Celebration, reception and book signing to follow presentation.

1pm

Russell Gallery

Selected Artwork

    

  1. Alissa OBrien   Immortality
  2. Anthony Baker     Horseshoe Crab 1975
  3. Anatol Zukerman   Crab Moon Tide
  4. Andrea Plate   Moving with the Tide
  5. Ava Varszegi   Full Moon
  6. Beth Merry   Molts
  7. Betsy Abbott   Spring Tide Moon
  8. Brian McQuillan   Plastic is NOT a part of Evolution
  9. Cadence Beauregard   Golden Horseshoe
  10. Carol Amato  Tale of the Ancient Mariner (poem)
  11. Carol Schwartz   Survival Moon
  12. Craig Crawford   Horseshoe Crab Sushi Set, Platter + 4 Bowls@
  13. Craig Crawford   Horseshoe Crab Serving Dish@                                 
  14. D. Peter Collins   Arrival - Gifts From Above
  15. D. Peter Collins   The Limulus Ceiling at The Xiphosura Cathedral
  16. Dave Grant   Learning With Limulus@
  17. Debi Gardiner  Blood from a Stone
  18. Donna Goes   Save Me!
  19. Dorie Pouch Petrochko   The Plight of 2 Partners
  20. Dorie Pouch Petrochko   Limulus polyphemus/Sepia
  21. Elizabeth Morales   Ancient Creatures: Atlantic Horseshoe Crab
  22. Heidi Mayo    Timelines
  23. Hilary Bachelder   Cover
  24. Janet  MacCausland   Blackbird Gorging on Horseshoe Crab Eggs
  25. Janet  MacCausland   Crowded Courtship
  26. Janet  MacCausland   Change the Tide
  27. Jeanne Brouillette   Heading Home
  28. Jennifer Deutscher   I’ve a Feeling We’re Not in the Paleozoic Anymore                  
  29. Jennifer DesAutels   Just Flip 'Em
  30. Jessie  Fries   Coastal Magic'
  31. Joanna Ward   Stain Glass Horseshoe Crab@
  32. Joanne Evans   Horseshoe Crab 2
  33. Jodie Kain   Blue Blood
  34. Kate Butler   Ripple
  35. Katharine LiBretto   I’m On My Way
  36. Kathleen Miller   Tidal Dance@
  37. Kathleen Miller   Sea Forms
  38. Kathleen Miller   Imperative
  39. Kathy Hodge   Two Moons
  40. Kathy Kelly   Proud Warrior
  41. Kaylani Phillips   Limulus polyphemus
  42. Keely Farrell   Resilience@
  43. Laura Westover   Blue Blood
  44. Lillian Annette Rankin   Exoskeleton@
  45. Loretta Garrison   Horseshoe crab@
  46. Lori Fopiano    On the Move
  47. Lucia  Gizzi   Let Me Out *
  48. Tamara Leivramento   Horseshoe Crab Anatomy* 
  49. Matthew Hall   Horseshoe Crab Bottle Opener/functional decor@
  50. Meg Sodano   Anatomy of a Horseshoe Crab
  51. Meg Sodano   Anatomy of a Horseshoe Crab (Male, Ventral View)
  52. Michael Koren   Sunrise Emergence
  53. Mike Lamson   Cycles
  54. Monika de Vries   Horseshoe Crab
  55. Myleigh Sylvia   Don't Hold Me This Way
  56. Patricia Collins   Blue Blood, Life Blood
  57. Patricia  Collins   Survival Cycle '22
  58. Paul Cheevers   True Blue Blood
  59. Rachel Maguire   Bronze Cast Horseshoe Crab@
  60. Regina Peters   Monomoy Horseshoe Crabs
  61. Regina Peters   Future of the Past (poem)@
  62. Rick Simonson   Horseshoe Crabs in an Ancient Ocean
  63. Robert Leal   Hour Glass
  64. Robert Leal   Keep On Keeping On 
  65. Sharon Kreamer   Limulus Love
  66. Sherri VandenAkker   Primordial Battle
  67. Sherri  VandenAkker  Catch of the Day
  68. Sherri  VandenAkker   Food Chain
  69. Silke Hase   Untitled Horseshoe Crab #1
  70. Sue Casey   A Living Wonder
  71. Susan Quateman   Horseshoe Crabs and Red Knots
  72. Suzanne McLeod   The Moon in May Loves Horseshoe Crabs
  73. Teresa Ellis Cetto    Horseshoe Crab Jewelry
  74. Tracy McCoey   The Costs
  75. Zayden Shanks & Zander Mosca Silva    Horseshoe Crab Mobile*@


* Student Works

@ Sculptures (works other than on the wall) 

Contact and More Information

Sharl Heller, SEMPBA President

Email: slheller@comcast.net

More information and suggested references: 


The Narrow Edge by Deborah Cramer


Facebook Page:

Massachusetts Horseshoe Crab Advocates: https://www.facebook.com/Horseshoecrabadvocates.


Southeastern Massachusetts Pine Barrens Alliance: https://pinebarrensalliance.org/


*Banner image - Horseshoe Crab c. 1975. Photograph courtesy Tony Baker.

SEMPBA is Proud to Acknowledge Our Sponsors

Thank you!


Duxbury Cultural Council

Kingston Cultural Council

Plymouth Cultural Council


Manomet, Inc. 

Island Creek Oysters

Horseshoe Crab Spawning Behavior

Horseshoe Crab Spawning Behavior

Horseshoe crabs spawning on Plymouth Long Beach, Plymouth, Massachusetts

Copyright © 2025 Horseshoe Crabs Against All Odds - All Rights Reserved.

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