activism in art
This Lithograph captures the Alaskan Coastal Plain, in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. This arctic landscape is essential for Caribou during their calving season.. There is constant pressure to lease this fragile habitat for drilling despite preliminary tests indicating a small supply of oil relative to US oil consumption.
I studied with conservation biologists at Washington University from 1988 to 1991, in the MLA program. Dr. Owen Sexton, Dr. Al Gentry and Dr. Peter Raven inspired and encouraged me to study conservation biology. They inspired me to research and create art that encouraged civic engagement natural resource protection.
Upon my return from the ‘Organization for Tropical Studies’ field station, ‘Finca La Selva’ in Costa Rica, I designed and built an Environmental Art Installation, that was commissioned for the 1991 Earthday event in St. Louis’ Forest Park. Two years later it was commissioned by the Body Shop for the Union Station, in St. Louis, MO. This work joined the Exxon Valdeez Environmental Installation, to inform the public and advocate for environmental protection in endangered habitats. I reviewed the effectiveness of these Installations with my Washington University mentor and ecology Professor Owen Sexton. He guided me with these words.
“It is important to create environmental art focused on at-risk habitats in the arctic and tropics. However, people won’t understand what is at risk in these endangered habitats, unless they have made a connection to nature in their own backyard.”
Dr. Owen Sexton”
Dr. Sexton’s words challenged me to create art that draws people into local flora and fauna. If they connect with plants in their backyard, it may help them understand habitat destruction in far-away places.
When Melanie Choukas-Bradley asked me to join her on the Sugarloaf Mountain project to research and create art for this book, I thought back to my mentor’s advice, realizing this would be a way to create connections.
I have work with local conservation and civic groups in an effort to protect clean air and water. Worked with Sugarloaf Citizens Association to require the latest pollution control technology on a coal-fired power plant nearby. Met with lawmakers to oppose development pressure in Montgomery County's Agricultural Reserve. Present civic testimony on a variety of regional issues that would threaten the environment. In 2001 I led the fight to stop Virginia developers from building a new Potomac River bridge with the associated development into the Agricultural Reserve.
My environmental work continues, as a Board Member for Sugarloaf Citizens Association, an environmental/civic organization that advocates on behalf of Montgomery County's Agricultural Reserve, encouraging people of all ages to speak up and protect our natural resources.