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Science Symposium

November 6th, 2026 

• 12:45pm: Welcome & Opening Remarks 
• 1:00pm to 1:45pm | Flip Nicklin | “Among Giants: A (photographer’s) life with whales”
• 2:00pm to 2:45pm | Fred Sharpe | “Spouting Off: Airborne Sounds of the Humpback Whale”
• 3:00pm to 3:45pm | Hannah Clayton | “Reading Resilience: how new technologies are changing our understandings of whales”

November 7th, 2026

• 1:00pm to 1:45pm | John & Finn Straley | “Friend, Mother, Icon: Growing Up with Jan Straley”
• 2:00pm to 2:45pm | Ted Cheeseman | “Humpback Whales are Remarkably Stubborn Home-Bodies”
• 3:00pm to 3:45pm | Hannah Myers | “Marine Mammals and Fisheries: Interactions in a Changing Ocean”

November 8th, 2026

• 1:00pm to 1:45pm | Vera Kingeekuk Metcalf & Orlin Gologergen | “Nangaghneghput:Our Way of Life” & “From Risk to Resilience: Bridging Marine Mammal Research, Indigenous Knowledge, and Environmental Health”
• 2:00pm to 2:45pm | Ed Lyman | “Unraveling Large Whale Entanglements”
• 3:00pm to 3:45pm | Mike Castellini | “Back to the Future: Whalefest and Beyond”

 

 

 

 

Student Art Show

In the weeks before WhaleFest, students from local schools and out-of-school programs are busy creating art inspired by the festival theme. On Thursday night, we display their art in the event venue and encourage festival attendees to attend this Marine Art Show before enjoying the FilmFest.

Opening reception Thursday, Nov 5th, 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm at Centennial Hall

Artwork will remain on display throughout the festival during Market Café times.

 

 

Film Fest

This event is free and open to the public. No registration required.

In keeping with this year’s theme, Generations of Giants, FilmFest celebrates how knowledge, culture, and care for the ocean pass from one generation to the next. We open with a spotlight on See Stories, an Alaska nonprofit that teaches youth documentary filmmaking, and two short films by its students: Yakutat Subsistence, in which Yakutat middle schoolers Dyson and Greg carry forward Katie John’s legacy of fighting for subsistence rights, and Six Generations, Many More to Come, in which four generations of Naknek commercial fishermen reflect on harvesting salmon in Bristol Bay. Our featured film, Stories from the Blue: Saving Koholā, follows the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary response team as they both study and assist entangled humpback whales, and it honors the long-standing connection between Native Hawaiians and these migratory giants. After the screening, stay for a panel with NOAA scientists featured in the film – including symposium speaker Ed Lyman. Many of the humpbacks that feed in Sitka Sound each summer winter in Hawaiian waters; protecting them helps ensure these giants return to our waters for generations to come.

Thursday, Nov 5th, 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Centennial Hall

 

 

 

Kayaking to Kaasda Héen

Enjoy a small group paddle along the shore of Sitka National Historical Park down to the mouth of Kaasda Héen (Indian River). You will spot marine wildlife, learn paddling techniques, and talk about the cultural, ecological, and geomorphic history of the shoreline and river mouth.

Life jackets and safety equipment will be provided. Raingear and rubber boots required

• $80 per person

Friday, Nov 6th, 8:30 am to 11:30 am at the Science Center Mill Building

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Scientific Illustration Class

Get ready to stretch your artistic and scientific observation skills!

Dust off your pen and pencil and try your hand at scientific illustration. What will you see when you lean in a little closer? Explore the world of scientific illustration and discover how important it is when learning about something new.

During this class you will study the form and structure of a scientific specimen. Expanding your observation skills, you will learn both new artistic techniques as well as how close observation is vitally important to the scientific method.

• Norm Campbell, a highly skilled local artist will take you through the basics of rendering an object as an illustrated form. Using observation skills, you will learn new drawing strategies and techniques, to better render a realistic form onto your paper.

At the end of the class you will have a new set of skills in observing the natural world with both your artistic and scientific future endeavors.

Two separate classes | Space is limited

• $50 per person, all supplies provided

Saturday, Nov 7th, 9:00 am to 11:30 am

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Sunday, Nov 8th, 9:00 am to 11:30 am

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Maritime Grind

The marine-themed Maritime Grind promises an evening of laughter, song, dance. This fun family event coordinated by the Monthly Grind crew features local talent bringing their songs and creativity to the stage in Centinnel Hall. The Maritime Grind is co-hosted by the Greater Sitka Arts Council and Sitka WhaleFest.

• $5 tickets at the door

Friday, November 6th from 7:30 to 9:00 pm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marine Trivia Night

Put your marine knowledge to the test with a night of trivia! This year’s WhaleFest speakers will join your team as you compete to answer questions about the ocean. Mingle with fellow attendees, get to know scientists and experts, and enjoy food and beverages available for purchase.

Because alcohol will be available at this event, please note that all attendees must be at least 18 years old and anyone under the age of 21 must be accompanied by an adult over the age of 21.

• $20 per person

Saturday, Nov 7th, 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm

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