Since 1992, the Center For Art and Earth has organized curated, or participated in sixteen environmental art exhibits in New York, Washington, D.C., and Connecticut designed to increase public awareness of the problems facing the environment. These included:
Earth Day, 1992-1995, Greenwich, Connecticut;
Earth Day, 1993, “Art and the Environment,” National Arts Club, New York City; 1993 National Arts Club, Christo, Mel Chin, Maya Linn, Warhol, Betty Beaumont, Robert Rauschenberg,
Sound Waters, 1992-1993, Indian Harbor Yacht Club, Greenwich, Connecticut;
International Coordinating Committee on Religion and the Earth, 1993, Pawling, New York;
“Art About the Environment I-IV,” 1995-1997, 611 Broadway, New York City;
New York Earth Day, “Giant Earth Projections,” 1995, New York City;
“Project Earth, Eco-Fair,” 1995, New York Coliseum, New York City
“Connecticut River,” 1996-1997, Connecticut River Museum, Essex, Connecticut and the Sherry French Gallery, New York City, and
“Trees,” 1997, the National Academy of Science, Washington, D.C.
“Time Landscape,” Alan Sonfist, Henry Stern, Adriane Benepe New York Parks Department La Guardia Place, New York.
1998, 2000 Goodwill Games, Battery Park City, NYC, and Lake Placid, New York, 1998, 2000
In 1992, the Center was represented at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, (UNCED), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Center was one of the few arts organizations in the world to attend the conference.
Also, in 1992 the Center originated the annual Greenwich, Connecticut Earth Day Art Exhibit open to public and private school students of all ages as well as local artists. The theme of the art exhibit is a “Celebration of the Earth.” Three additional Greenwich, Connecticut Earth Day Art Exhibits have been sponsored by the Center.
During 1992-1993, the Center curated two fund-raising art events for Sound Waters of Stamford, Connecticut, an environmental organization which is dedicated to the restoration and preservation of Long Island Sound. The Sound Waters’ art exhibits were held at the Indian Harbor Yacht Club in Greenwich,
Four lectures were held at the Center between 1992-1993, featuring artists, curators, writers, and other individuals who have been able to provide a unique perspective on the condition of the earth through slides or narrative. Some of these individuals included: Dr. Barbara Matilsky, curator, “Fragile Ecologies,” Dr. Daniel Martin, United Nations Environment Programme, advisor, Alan Sonfist, artist: and Jackie Brookner, artist/writer. These public events are designed to be a source of informational networking for artists and others working in the area of the environment. The Center will continue to host such lectures in future years.
The Earth Day 1993 exhibit entitled, “Art and the Environment” which the Center co-curated in New York City at the National Arts Club was a tribute to many of the pioneers in the environmental art movement including artist, Robert Rauschenberg and Earth Day founder, Senator Gaylord Nelson.
Also, in 1993, under the sponsorship of the International Coordinating Committee on Religion and the Earth, the Center participated in a weekend conference in Pawling, New York for individuals in business, education, religion, and art concerned about the environment. The Center curated an art exhibit for the conference and lead the discussion about art and the environment in the context of the other disciplines represented.
Since 1993, the Center attended the Long Island Sound Watershed Alliance conferences in New York and Connecticut sponsored by the Audubon Society of American. The Center if a member of the Alliance and will continue to be involved with the organization.
In 1995, the Center participated in the New York City Earth Day “Giant Earth Projections,” New York City landmark buildings were illuminated at night with large images about the earth and the environment for two weeks in April. The Center got the artist Robert Rauschenberg involved with this project and Agnes Denes, and Andy Warhol.
Also, in 1995 the Center received a “Certificate of Award” for the “Best Use of Art,” from the President of the A & P Corporation/Food Emporium at their “Project Earth, Eco-Fair” held Earth Day, April 22, at the New York Coliseum. The Center exhibited art work of their kindergarten to high school students from public and private schools in Connecticut at this event.
In the Fall of 1995, the Center relocated to 611 Broad way in New York City. The inaugural exhibit November 14-February 23, 1996, “Art About the Environment” featured the art work of Agnes Denes, Sandy Gellis, Helen and Newton Harrison, Alan Sonfist and Andy Warhol. “Art About the Environment II” March 12-May 17, 1996, included the art work of Betty Beaumont, Joseph Beuys, Andy Goldsworth, Robert Rauschenberg, Christy Rupp, and Mierle Laderman Ukeles. “Art About the Environment III,” September 24-November 22, 1996, displayed art work by Jackie Brookner, Hamish Fulton, Lynne Hull, Michael Singer, and Michelle Stuart. Lastly, “Art About th4e Environment IV,” November 11- December 19, 1997, featured artwork by Ronald Garrigues, Nancy Holt, Ana Mendieta, and Robert Smithson. All twenty- one artists of “Art About the Environment I-IV” are well-known environmental activists making a difference in our society with their art work.
The Center was also involved with an art exhibit on the “Connecticut River” curated by the Sherry French Gallery of New York and on view at Essex, Connecticut River Museum, Sherry French Galley, and the Center from September 1996-1997.
From September-December 1997 the Center represented the art work of Jerald Mironov on view at the National Academy of Sciences in Washington, D.C., in an exhibit entitled “Trees.”
“Time Landscape,” La Guardia Place, N.Y. Artist Alan Sonfist, New York City Parks Commissioner Henry Stern, and New York City Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe along with children from nearby local public schools.
1998, 2000 the Center For Art and Earth participated with the Goodwill Games, Battery Park City, NYC, and Lake Placid, New York, 1998, 2000. The Center organized children’s art exhibits with hundreds of kids from grades of New York City.
The Center For Art and Earth has received several slide submissions from artists around the world for a slide registry designed to cover all visual aspects of the earth and the environment. The slides portray the beauty, environmental abuse and potential restoration of endangered areas. The materials collected are part of an innovative resource center which will be made available on the web to curators, educators, students, and other interested individuals.
The Center For Art and Earth hopes to encourage considerable discourse, critical examination, thoughtful reflection, and ultimately environmental action though the unique art exhibits, conferences, lectures, and related activities.
Monument Valley, Utah
Denali National Park
