Opening Night Event on November 22 to Feature Science Lecture, Art, and Environmental Reflection
Blue Hill, ME — November 9, 2025 — The Shaw Institute is proud to announce the opening of Forever Ours: PFAS and Plastics, a thought-provoking art exhibition exploring humanity’s complex relationship with persistent contaminants like microplastics and PFAS. The exhibit, which runs through summer of 2026, opens with a public reception on Saturday, November 22, from 4:00pm – 6:00pm at the Shaw Institute’s Environmental Education Center in downtown Blue Hill, Maine.
Following its debut at St. Alban’s Gallery in Cape Elizabeth, Forever Ours brings together the work of 11 environmental artists whose visual and mixed-media pieces capture both the beauty and the burden of materials that have become “forever” intertwined with the natural world. The collection invites visitors to reflect on sustainability, pollution, and the shared responsibility of protecting our planet’s future. Each piece is accompanied by an explanatory statement that informs viewers about the environmental impact of these contaminants.
The Shaw Institute’s Executive Director and Senior Research Scientist, Dr. Charlie Rolsky, whose pioneering research focuses on microplastics and emerging contaminants, emphasized the exhibit’s timely relevance:
“At the Shaw Institute, we believe that science and art together can ignite the kind of understanding and emotional response necessary to inspire real change. Forever Ours encourages us to see the science of plastics and PFAS not just as a set of data, but as a story about our shared planet and collective choices. It’s an honor to bring it to our local community in the Blue Hill region.”
Exhibit curators and artists Marnie Sinclair and Jane Herbert also spoke about the power of blending artistic and scientific perspectives:
“Art and story can transport the viewer to an aesthetic, inquisitive and often visceral place. Couple that with scientific truth and the impact can be powerful and lasting. Having our exhibit at the Shaw Institute adds a wonderful balance to the innovative research on plastic being done at the center. We are delighted to be included in this fascinating place.”
The November 22 opening night will include cheese and wine from the Blue Hill Wine Shop, opportunities to meet participating artists, and guided discussions connecting scientific insight with artistic expression. Admission is free and open to the public; as will be ongoing access, Thursday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm, excluding holidays.
Forever Ours: PFAS and Plastics will remain on display at the Shaw Institute through May 2026, offering visitors an evolving dialogue between environmental science and creative interpretation.
Event Details
Opening Reception: Saturday, November 22, 2025 — 4:00 to 6:00 PM
Exhibit Duration: November 22, 2025 – Summer 2026
Location: Shaw Institute Environmental Education Center, 55 Main Street, Blue Hill, ME
Admission: Free and open to the public
About the Shaw Institute
The Shaw Institute is a nonprofit scientific research organization based in Blue Hill, Maine. Founded in 1990, the Institute conducts leading research on ocean pollution, plastics, PFAS, and ecosystem health while engaging communities through education and outreach. Its mission is to improve human and ecological health through innovative science and inspiring public awareness.