College of the Redwoods Presents “Slugs of Eureka” Lectures, Walking Tour, and Bicycle Tour

Published on Sep 1 2026

College of the Redwoods Professor of Art Shannon Sullivan will present two public lectures and lead two free public tours of the Slugs of Eureka, a series of larger-than-life ceramic banana slug sculptures installed throughout the city.

Created by Sullivan and College of the Redwoods alumna Jessica Swan, the sixteen ceramic slugs were installed at thirteen locations throughout Eureka as part of the 2024 Eureka Street Art Festival. The playful sculptures have since inspired informal “slug hunts,” community storytelling, and new ways of exploring Eureka’s public spaces.

The upcoming lectures and tours invite participants to learn about the artworks’ creation, installation, neighborhood settings, and ongoing adventures. The events may also shed some light on the mysterious disappearance of Morris, the slug formerly located at the Morris Graves Museum of Art. Was he stolen—or has he been lost at sea?

The series is part of Sullivan’s College of the Redwoods Portugal Award for Faculty Research project, Slugs of Eureka: Public Art, Place, and Community Engagement. The project explores public art, ceramics, mentorship, local ecology, place-based learning, and the ways playful artworks can build connections between people and place.

Public Lectures

A lecture introducing the history of the project will be presented at the College of the Redwoods Del Norte campus on:

Wednesday, September 2, 2026

College of the Redwoods, Del Norte Campus
Time: 4:30-5:30
Room: TBA

The lecture will also be presented in Eureka on:

Tuesday, September 8, 2026
5:00-6:00 p.m.
College of the Redwoods, Eureka Main Campus

Creative Arts Building, CA 106

Urban Slug Hike

Saturday, September 12, 2026
2:30–4:00 p.m.
Begins and ends at the Inn at 2nd & C, 124 C Street, Eureka

This approximately two-mile guided walk will visit eight downtown and Old Town slug locations, including Mendenhall Studios, Skyhorse Inn, MOCA, The Bodega, the Morris Graves Museum of Art, College of the Redwoods’ downtown campus, and other nearby sites.

The walk will last approximately 90 minutes, including time for stories, photographs, and discussion at each stop. 

Following the tour, participants are invited to continue the conversation over drinks at Phatsy Kline’s.

Participants should wear comfortable walking shoes and dress for the weather.

Slugs by Bicycle

Saturday, September 19, 2026
1:30–3:00 p.m.
Check-in and bicycle safety briefing begin at 1:15 p.m.
Begins and ends at Humboldt Cider Company, 2901 Hubbard Lane, Eureka

This relaxed, approximately six- to seven-mile group ride will visit slug locations throughout southern and central Eureka, including the Discovery Shop, Yarn, Synapsis, Jefferson Community Center, College of the Redwoods’ downtown campus, and the Morris Graves Museum of Art.

The ride will last approximately 90 minutes, including stops, storytelling, and opportunities for the group to regroup along the route. Participants are invited to stay for cider and conversation at Humboldt Cider Company following the ride.

Riders should be comfortable bicycling on city streets, braking and signaling confidently, and completing a six- to seven-mile route at a relaxed group pace. Helmets are strongly encouraged. Participants should bring a bicycle in good working order, water, and weather-appropriate clothing. 

Both tours will follow lower-stress routes whenever possible. Participants should remain attentive to traffic, street conditions, pedestrians, and instructions from tour leaders. Routes may be adjusted because of construction, weather, or other safety considerations.

Participants will receive a map of the slugs and tour routes created by Jenna Catsos of Pen and Pine.

All events are free and open to the public.

Event contact:
Shannon Sullivan
Professor of Art, College of the Redwoods
shannon-sullivan@redwoods.edu

About the Slugs of Eureka

The Slugs of Eureka project features sixteen ceramic banana slug sculptures installed at thirteen locations throughout Eureka. The slugs were created by artist and College of the Redwoods Professor Shannon Sullivan and artist and CR alumna Jessica Swan as part of the 2024 Eureka Street Art Festival.