Past and current Summer 2023:
See what we are doing in our workshops and events
Our approach in each of our art workshops is to ‘paint from the heart’ as an expression and a dialogue-starter about climate and nature — and then allow that to enable us to become advocates for protecting and preserving the things we love. In our events, we share educational resources, learn about regional environmental efforts, and discuss how to have conversations about climate change. In our gallery exhibitions, we show and explain our commitment to protect the things we love. In our public events, we encourage everyone to act to preserve our world.
Here is where you can see us in action.
(To see current and upcoming events, check out our Upcoming Events page!)
Evoking A Response to Climate Change with the Fine Arts: Ben Brabson
Ivy Tech Community College Center for Lifelong Learning and via Zoom 200 Daniels Way, Bloomington, IN, United StatesClimate change is real. This presentation, “The Fine Arts: Evoking a Response to Climate Change” is an interplay of scientific and artistic visuals curated and presented by Ben Brabson, climate scientist and Emeritus Professor of Physics at Indiana University.
The presentation is free and is offered both in-person and online.
Studies show that using art for communication can raise awareness, provoke impactful dialogue, and inspire action about environmental issues. Brabson’s talk includes engaging and artful illustrations that simplify concepts of climate change for ordinary people, making the concepts more concrete, meaningful, and motivating.
The intersection of the arts and climate change is a vital and dynamic space where creativity, expression, and activism come together. Artists play a crucial role in addressing climate change by harnessing their unique abilities to engage emotions, challenge perspectives, and ignite social change. This presentation incorporates several pieces by Artists for Climate Awareness.
Those who register to attend virtually will receive a Zoom link.
Stay tuned for a link to register, coming in August of 2023.
Learn How to Paint Native Trees in Watercolor
October 27 @ 9:00 am – 4:00 pmIvy Tech Community College, Bloomington, IN 200 Daniels Way, Bloomington, IN, United StatesIn this hands-on workshop, MarySue Schwab will demonstrate key approaches to painting native Indiana trees. Students will be instructed in multi-layered, wet-on-wet techniques using watercolor processes to create both subtle and dramatic tree formations. You will learn to use a mixture of warm and cool greens and how to juxtapose shadow and form. Students are encouraged to bring a reference such as a photo for their own piece. This workshop is open to students of all levels, and each will receive individual attention.
During the workshop, Julie Roberts from Canopy Bloomington will lead a short presentation on the importance of native trees in the landscape.
Fee: $95 for nonmembers, $35 for members
Register for a Workshop template
Make your Holidays Bright with Upcycled Decorations and Gifts!
Ivy Tech Community College, Bloomington, IN 200 Daniels Way, Bloomington, IN, United StatesIn this 4-hour workshop, Chandra Craig Rettinger will lead participants in creating beautiful decorations and gifts from items that would otherwise be put in a recycle bin. A more in-depth description is coming soon!
Banneker Kids Camp 2023
On a warm week in July of 2023, two Artists for Climate Awareness members led participants of Banneker Kid’s Camp in Bloomington, IN in outdoor craft activities related to the environment.
Anne Farley Gaines Ceramic Demonstration
Chicago artist Anne Farley Gaines and Artists for Climate Awareness were invited into into the Ivy Tech Ceramics Studio on June 17, 2023 for a free one-day demonstration in which Anne produced a lively ceramic work based on one of her watercolors of nature. The participants created small works of their own. Anne Farley Gaines uses the emotional language of art with thematic environmental education. Her subjects focus on her passions: disappearing coastlines of the Great Lakes, decaying trees uprooted by rising waters from glacier melt, animal species being pushed by climate change to unprecedented areas, forest fires, violent storms, and their aftermath.
A display of Anne’s work is on the Ivy Tech campus in the Fine Arts area, and at The Waldron Arts Center. All will be available for viewing throughout June and July of 2023.
Learn more about Anne Farley Gaines at https://www.annefarleygaines.com/.
Gallery Show – “Conserve Bloomington”
“Mutations,” by Karen Holtzclaw
A gallery show May 12 – June 11, 2023 at Arts Alliance Center in Bloomington, IN provided environmentally themed art and music to the Bloomington Community. This gallery exhibition, coordinated by Artists for Climate Awareness, was open to all artistic mediums and depicted aspects of nature, environment, and climate change. Artistic expressions on display could be abstract or realistic and could consist of works that evoke experience such as: caring and hopes of preservation; depiction of changes over time; description of what has been loved and lost, “wake-up” call-to-action, and more. Climate art is intended to be a dialog-starter to raise public awareness and thought about climate change.