Permeate and Seep (Uria aalge)
Emerson Frost
2025
Acrylic paint
Emerson Frost is an illustrator who brings characters to life through sequential art inspired by fantasy, mythology, and folklore. Fascinated by birds and bugs, Emerson often features them in both their narrative work and acrylic paintings—ranging from semi-realistic to scientifically accurate—such as trail signs for Maine Audubon. Passionate about nature and conservation, especially seabirds, Emerson hopes their art inspires others to protect wildlife from threats like chemical and plastic pollution.
Increased attention has been given to plastic pollution and its effects on seabirds—but what about the quieter, often invisible threat of chemical contamination? For this project, I explored the impact of toxic chemicals and metal pollutants on seabirds, aiming to visualize the internal damage they suffer—harm that’s easy to overlook because it can’t be seen from the outside.
I focused on the Common Murre (Uria aalge), a species that has suffered massive die-offs, or “wrecks.” While causes vary, exposure to contaminants like methylmercury is a likely factor. With mercury levels rising along the Maine coast, this is no distant issue—it’s happening close to home.
Twenty young artists created art centered on the challenges, hopes, and fears for Casco Bay’s past, present, and future.
What happens when a group of young artists turn their talents toward protecting Casco Bay? A new collaboration with MECA&D brought powerful, creative answers.
