Destination: eARTh

Pictured Above: Alejandro Duran’s “Vena,” 2011

The Southampton Arts Center is continuing its commitment to the earth’s climate this spring with a new exhibition, “eARTh,” opening Saturday, April 17, just in time for Earth Day.

Curated by former SAC artistic director Amy Kirwin, the timely and actionable multidisciplinary exhibition will feature a collection of artists who use their talents to focus on environmental conservation and activism, whether through fine art, science, photography, film, music, prose or other forms of artistic expression

“This timely exhibition features artists who use their talents to focus on environmental conservation and activism, whether through fine art, science, photography, film, music, prose or other forms of artistic expression,” according to organizers of the exhibition, which continues through July 11.

“The vision for eARTh is to use art to creatively confront the alarming state of our precious planet and its inhabitants in a way that all can understand and appreciate. The intention of eARTh is to ask questions and inspire action. What can you do to make a difference?”

The Southampton Arts Center usually holds an all-day fair in honor of Earth Day, which this year is on April 22, but this year instead, due to Covid, they will be holding smaller workshops throughout the exhibition, with partner organizations including Drawdown East End, the Peconic Land Trust, South Fork Natural History Museum, Oceana and the Peter Matthiessen Center.

“Southampton Arts Center’s long-term commitment to the environment is beautifully reflected in this exhibition,” shares SAC executive director Tom Dunn. “EARTH is more than art – it is conservation and activism through individual artistic expression. Collaborations with both artists of multiple disciplines and our ECO Community Group partners have resulted in a meaningful, inclusive exhibition that highlights our shared environment and the challenges it faces. No one is immune to what affects our planet. This is truly an exhibition with an impact.”

Artists in the exhibition have long been committed to environmental awareness — they include Roisin Bateman, Kristian Brevik, Scott Bluedorn, Megan Chaskey, Erica Cirino, Rossa Cole, Janet Culbertson, Thomas Deininger, Alejandro Duran, Jim Gingerich, Mamoun Friedrich Grosvenor, John Haigney, Kara Hoblin, Michael Light, Pamela Longobardi, Christa Maiwald, Tucker Marder, Janine Martel, Steve Miller, Patricia Paladines, Aurora Robson, Cindy Pease Roe, Lauren Ruiz, Anne Seelbach, Jonathan Shlafer, Anne Sherwood Pundyk, Kathryn Szoka, and Diane Tuft.

There will also be a special project by the members of the South Fork Natural History Museum’s Young Environmentalists program on display.

Exhibiting artists will hold workshops throughout the next three-and-a-half months, and SAC is planning to hold poignant panel discussions with the presenting partners, plus special film screenings including the sensational “Fantastic Fungi.”

The Southampton Arts Center is at 25 Jobs Lane in Southampton and can be reached at 631.283.0967. Gallery hours are Thursdays through Sundays from noon to 5 p.m.

Programming associated with the show as of April 1 includes the following virtual events:

Introduction to Sustainable Solutions | Wednesday, April 21 at 6 PM With Olivia Kronemeyer

Ecological Gardening 101 | Wednesday, May 5 at 6 PM In partnership with Group for the East End

Magical Migrating Monarchs | Wednesday, May 12 at 6 PM
In partnership with Group for the East End and Quogue Wildlife Refuge

Plastics | Wednesday, May 19 at 6 PM
With Erica Cirino, Cindy Pease Roe, and more

Kids: “Be A Good Egg” Shorebird Conservation Part I | Wednesday, June 2 at 6 PM
In partnership with Group for the East End

The Artist’s View – Contrasting Expressions of Nature | Wednesday, June 16 at 6 PM
Presented in partnership with Peconic Land Trust | Artists Scott Bluedorn, Anne Sherwood Pundyk, and Cindy Pease Roe will discuss how the beauty of Long Island’s
environment informs and inspires their creativity. Moderated by photographer and co-owner of Canio’s Books, Kathryn Szoka.

Birding: A Female Perspective | Wednesday, June 30 at 6 PM
With Hob Osterlund, Melissa Groo, and more

IN-PERSON PROGRAMS
KIDS
“Be A Good Egg” Shorebird Conservation Part II | Saturday, June 5 at 11 AM
With Group for the East End

LIVE
Art and Environmental Action | Thursday, June 17 at 6 PM
With The Safina Center, featuring Carl Safina, Patricia Paladines, Erica Cirino, and more

Organic Gardening + Landscaping | Sunday, July 11 at 4 PM
Featuring Taralynn Reynolds of Group for the East End, Anthony Marinello ot Horticultural Alliance of the Hamptons, and Edwina von Gal of Perfect Earth Project

WELLNESS
Earth Sound Meditation | Saturday April 24, May 29, June 26 at 10:30 AM
With Daniel Lauter

For more details, visit southamptonartscenter.org.