Jan Holmes’ dream is now reality — and on full color display.

Roughly 80 people gathered on the Coupeville wharf last Friday to celebrate the new marine exhibit inspired by Holmes.

Holmes, a fervent advocate of the Puget Sound who died in 2011, had asked that a $5,000 prize she had won as part of an environmental award go toward the creation of a mural at the wharf. It was to tell the story of the importance of eelgrass to marine life.

Community leaders, friends, sponsors, donors and two members of the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community came to celebrate the artistic and educational displays, which include artwork, video, text and artifacts that tell the story of Penn Cove and life around it.

Sound Water Stewards of Island County, formerly WSU Beach Watchers, hosted the event.

“The entire display here that you see reflects 25 years of volunteer dedication to understand the marine environment here and working to protect it,” said Barbara Bennett, who led the project.

“This is part of me. This is part of us as a community,” said Josephine Jefferson of the Swinomish Tribe. “And I welcome you.”