Jenessa Gilarski

Self-taught artist, Jenessa Gilarski creates one-of-a-kind jewelry with shark teeth and shells that she collects here along Florida’s Gulf Coast. Upon graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Health Science and Environmental Studies, the Wisconsin native eagerly made the move to Florida after being selected as an intern for MOTE Marine Laboratory's Sea Turtle Conservation & Research Program in 2019. Through many long days on the beach working closely with sea turtles, she became enamored with the ocean and her passion to preserve wildlife continued to grow. That summer, she collected her first handful of shark teeth and immediately fell in love with this new beach hobby. ‘Preserve’ is a nod to the artist's passion for protecting nature while sharing her fascination with marine life. Her interest in environmental sustainability was evident even as a young teen, always encouraging and inspiring those around her to be stewards of the earth. She hopes that her creations provoke a deepened appreciation for the earth's resources and creatures within others and encourages them to do what they can to help protect the environment. Jenessa is committed to collecting trash from outdoor spaces while she hunts for shark teeth and ensures her beach finds are ethically sourced. She often shares her finds on social media with messages of sustainability, ethical shelling, and even repurposing some of the “trash” she finds. An undying fascination and love for nature keeps her at the beach collecting trash & treasure as a favorite pastime.