Arts & Galleries

Four years ago, Erin and Derric Swinfard realized that it was time to do something to make a difference in the world for their child.

So the Riverside couple sat down and, after watching some online videos of the work that the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society was doing, realized they had found the area in which they wanted to make an impact.

It seems every year that impact is growing exponentially.

Now in its fourth year, the Swinfards are once again teaming up with the Sea Shepherds to present the "Sea No Evil" art show, Saturday at the Riverside Municipal Auditorium.

A fundraising project for the Sea Shepherds, which works to stop whaling in international waters, the show features a roster of artists and musicians, plus a keynote speech from Paul Watson, the captain of the Sea Shepherd fleet and star of the Animal Planet show "Whale Wars."

"It's an art show with a very cool vibe to it," Erin Swinfard said. "People come for the art because there are artists people want to see, other people come for the music and others come to hear Paul Watson.

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Special to The Press-Enterprise

"Madame Poseidon" was donated by Gary Baseman to the "Sea No Evil" exhibit in Riverside.

"You have a coming together of people for three different purposes and gaining exposure to all three. That's the reason our art show has become so popular."

It's also become highly profitable for the foundation.

Last year, the show -- which donates all proceeds to the foundation -- raised more than $70,000. This year, Swinfard said she expects the show to raise more than $100,000, even though tickets have gone up from $5 to $20.

"They are hardcore, serious folks who have a good cause, and they are not joking around," said artist Gary Baseman, who is one of about 60 professional artists who have donated pieces to the show. All will be sold via silent auction.

"Saving the whales and dolphins and sea life, and their determination to put themselves on the front, it's a no-brainer to help out."

Despite the moniker of an art show, this is not a typical martini-in-hand affair that offers just paintings on a wall to look at. Instead, it's a multimedia ensemble that features some huge names.

The headlining artist will be Shepard Fairey, who has been a part of the show since its inception in 2007. Fairey is best known for his rendition of Barack Obama that the president used as his campaign poster.

Beyond Fairey's presence as both an artist and a DJ at the show, The Crystal Method will perform a live DJ set, as will actress Michelle Rodriguez ("Lost," "Avatar"), and Matt Costa will perform a live acoustic set.

The Crystal Method is by far the highest-profile performer in the show's four-year history and tried to do the event a year ago, but scheduling conflicts prevented it. This year, the band signed on early and will bring its music to Riverside.

"What is important for me in art and the art experience is the participation," Baseman said. "If we are going to have an event like this, we want them to be a part of it and let down their inhibitions in a way and make an effort."

Beyond the art and the music, the night will be capped by a speech from Watson, who has become a star in his own right. A high-profile environmental activist, Watson has become a modern day eco-pirate of sorts for his recent works.

Featured on the Animal Planet's "Whale Wars," Watson's Sea Shepherd Conversation Society has drawn both international acclaim and criticism for its work in fending off Japanese whaling ships in an effort to protect whales in the Antarctic region.

Using a variety of tactics, his fleet wards off the whaling ships -- who attempt to scurry around international law by saying the creatures are being killed for research -- and often put themselves in harms way for the sake of environmentalism.

"If it helps spark someone into action, then that's the whole point of the show," Swinfard said. "It's kind of cool to see it happen, when others had the same kind of awakening that we had."