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A FREE storytelling, art engagement, and Southern Resident Killer Whale conservation education event for children to elders

(Formerly, Tahlequah and Baby Orca Story and Art: Comfort and Joy for Adults and Children Navigating Grief)

Julie Seitz, a U.S. Patented Artist, Award-Winning Heritage Specialist, Certified Life and Pet Celebrant, and Certified Pet Bereavement Specialist, is creating a unique art and heritage project inspired by Southern Resident Killer Whale mother Tahlequah J-35 and her calf J-61. A Sea of Baby Orcas is a community storytelling, art engagement, and conservation education initiative celebrating beautiful living beings, hope, creativity, and stewardship of the Salish Sea.

Inspired by one of Puget Sound's most beloved and endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales, the project centers on the true story of Tahlequah J-35 and her calf J-61, lovingly called Aldebaran, or "Bara" for short, after the bright orange star of Winter. The Center for Whale Research gives the alpha-numeric designations while The Whale Museum gives nicknames to the calves. The public is invited to give nickname ideas. Seitz provided her idea Aldebaran or “Bara” was chosen for Tahlequah’s calf J-61. Seitz, who was interviewed by The Seattle Times in 2025 for their coverage of J-61, draws upon this story.

In the spirit of celebrating a life, whether brief or long, and continuous loving bonds, A Sea of Baby Orcas honors J-61 and the Southern Resident Killer Whale calves who lived brief and significant lives, while also celebrating and promoting awareness about those who are alive today—the thirteen calves under 7 years old who need our help today.

A Sea of Baby Orcas begins with three free public events in Summer 2026 featuring storytelling, art engagement, and Southern Resident Killer Whale conservation education. During these events, Seitz shares selected passages from her original storybook of Tahlequah J-35 and “Bara” J-61, inviting participants into the world of Tahlequah, Bara, and the Southern Resident Killer Whales.

These public events also mark the beginning of a broader body of work that continues the original vision of Tahlequah and Baby Orca Story and Art: Comfort and Joy for Adults and Children Navigating Grief, including the fully illustrated storybook and a new orca-themed piece for Seitz's patented The Loving Heart™ collection.

At each of the three events, participants hear selected passages from the story of Tahlequah J-35 and “Bara” J-61 and use eco-friendly paint to paint real-life baby orca markings on their own FREE eco-friendly fabric BABY ORCA STUFFIE to take home. Guests also paint paper baby orca cutouts using the eco-friendly paint to add to a growing mobile community art board and meet an environmental researcher and handler canine team for a meet-and-greet and photo op!

Kent Historical Museum yard, Kent, WA — Sat. 8/1/2026, 10:00–11:30 AM
Alchemy Art Center Booth, San Juan County Fair, Friday Harbor, WA — Sat. 8/15/2026, 10:30 AM–2:30 PM
Environmental Science Center at Seahurst Park, Burien, WA — Fri. 8/28/2026, 10:00 AM–12:00 PM

Your donation helps bring A Sea of Baby Orcas to life — free for every community that attends. If you'd like to direct your gift to a specific event — Kent, Friday Harbor, or Burien — please note your preference with your donation or reach out directly to Julie Seitz by email at julie {@} lovesandlove.com.

Supported by the City of Kent Arts Commission “Give Me Culture” Grant Award 2025, Kent Community Foundation “Arts & Education” Grant Award 2025, City of Burien Arts Commission “Arts & Culture Grant” Award 2025, 4Culture Heritage Professional Development Stipend 2025, individual donors and in-kind gifts, and fiscal sponsorship through Allied Arts Foundation. All donors are gratefully acknowledged.

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