Arctic Marine Science: Sikuliaq to Shore 

Opening May 15, 2026
Patricia B. Wolf Family Galleries
 

This exhibition invites visitors aboard a recreated section of the University of Alaska Fairbanks research vessel Sikuliaq, highlighting the role of science and the people behind it in deepening our understanding of the Arctic marine ecosystem.

The Arctic marine environment is rich with life, from microscopic algae to massive mammals like the bowhead whale. Built to navigate dynamic ocean conditions, the research vessel Sikuliaq allows scientists to study how physical changes in Arctic waters around Alaska, including diminished sea ice and shifting animal migrations, affect marine ecosystems and the coastal communities that rely on the ocean for subsistence hunting and commercial activity.

Arctic Marine Science: Sikuliaq to Shore brings together science, art, Indigenous knowledge, and community engagement to present a holistic view of Arctic waters. Experience how research unfolds at sea and on shore. Discover how community-led monitoring supports collaborative research in northern waters and how pairing art and science helps share discoveries with broader audiences.

Through immersive storytelling and hands-on learning, visitors explore the complex, interconnected life of northern waters.

Presented with support from the North Pacific Research Board