Aquarium of the Bay names director of exhibits

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Aquarium of the Bay is pleased to welcome Jon Altemus as its new director of exhibits and special projects. With his multifaceted background creating and installing exhibits around the world, Altemus is well suited to enhance the Aquarium's current exhibits, as well as design three new ones which will open in the spring of 2009.

"With Aquarium of the Bay's new PG&E Bay Lab climate change exhibit, octopus exhibit and moon jelly exhibit opening next year, Jon is answering our call for a skilled in-house designer to help us enhance and expand our visitor experience," said Aquarium of the Bay Chief Executive Officer John Frawley.

"My goal is to create exhibits for Aquarium of the Bay that are both engaging and educational for visitors of all ages and backgrounds," said Altemus. "In addition to showcasing our animals and incorporating tactile displays, graphics and interactives, our new exhibits will provide a premier setting for the aquarium's interpretive naturalists to facilitate animal interaction, demonstrations and presentations."

Specifically, Altemus envisions naturalists playing a major role in the new PG&E Bay Lab, a climate-change exhibit that marks the first time that the aquarium will exhibit land-dwelling animals such as frogs, snakes, turtles and others. As part of the exhibit, the naturalists will lead thought-provoking presentations that demonstrate how the animals' ecosystems are being affected by climate change. Sponsored by PG&E and reflecting the aquarium's role as one of only a handful of attractions certified by the City of San Francisco as a green business, the PG&E Bay Lab will incorporate sustainable, recycled and reclaimed products, as well as solar power. Learn more at http://www.aquariumofthebay.com/newsroom.aspx?q=38&y=0&c=1.