Ethyl the Whale 🐋

~ Last updated on Jun 12, 2023 ~

A Mesmerizing Symbol of Environmental Activism

Meet Ethyl the Whale, a magnificent 82-foot sculpture made entirely of hand-recycled plastic trash. Ethyl’s arrival at the Santa Fe Community College (SFCC) campus on Earth Day was a momentous occasion, symbolizing a powerful message about the devastating impact of plastics on our oceans.

Ethyl was born from the imaginative minds of artists Joel Dean Stockdill and Yustina Salnikova, who were commissioned by the prestigious Monterey Bay Aquarium to create this monumental sculpture. Originally located in San Francisco, Ethyl found her new home in Santa Fe after Meow Wolf, a renowned local art collective, purchased and generously funded her relocation to SFCC. Supported by the SFCC Foundation and Art on Campus Committee, Ethyl became a beacon of awareness for the pressing plastic pollution crisis.

A Message in Every Fiber

As you gaze upon Ethyl’s awe-inspiring presence, it becomes clear that she is not just a work of art but a poignant reminder of the urgent need to address plastic pollution. Each carefully crafted detail serves as a testament to the devastating impact of plastic on our environment. Ethyl calls upon us to think more critically about our plastic consumption, to embrace eco-friendly alternatives, and to become proactive agents of change. She represents a rallying cry for a sustainable future that doesn’t compromise the health of our planet. Since her debut, Ethyl has captured the attention of the media and serves as an artistic spotlight on the urgency of addressing the issue of ocean pollution.