The public attends a reception for “Crochet Coral Reef” Thursday at the Seymour Marine Discovery Center on the west side of Santa Cruz. The art project, which included a host of local crochet artists in a joint exhibit, is part of a global project that has worldwide connections with science museums to help heighten people’s understanding of global warming, plastic trash and the health of the coral reef. The project is headed up by sisters Margaret and Christine Wertheim of the Institute For Figuring.