Art with Power to Spark Environmental Action Subject of Presentation Linked to Audubon Sculpture Exhibit

FALMOUTH, Maine, July 3, 2007—Visitors will have a chance to meet June LaCombe, curator of the dazzling outdoor sculpture exhibition currently drawing crowds to Gilsland Farm Audubon Center, when she presents an “environmental arts” slideshow at the center from 7-9 p.m. Thursday, July 12. The event is free and open to the public.

LaCombe’s presentation, “The Greening of Art—Imagery from Environmental Arts,” will showcase the work of artists who use their creativity to restore and transform damaged environments. “Environmental art” is a broad term for an art movement that began in the 1960’s to focus on environmental threats and new ways for humans to co-exist with nature. It includes land art, art in nature, ecological art, and even “Eco-ventions.”

“Throughout the world, artists are redefining the role of an artist in society and calling on the power of art to spark environmental action,” Lacombe said. “My presentation will provide rich visual imagers of many projects that are part of the environmental arts movement.”

LaCombe has researched environmental art for environmental studies in England and New England, as part of a doctoral program. Her presentation is linked to the outdoor exhibition she curated at Gilsland Farm Audubon Center, Where Nature and Culture Meet—Sculpture at Maine Audubon, through July 25.


MORE ABOUT “Where Nature and Culture Meet: Sculpture at Maine Audubon”—In an exhibit the Maine Sunday Telegram calls “a marriage made in nature,” 27 of New England’s outstanding artists have installed 118 piece of sculpture along woodland trails, in an apple orchard, and through meadows and gardens at Gilsland Farm Audubon Center in Falmouth. Sculpture is for sale, and a percentage of sales will support Maine Audubon. The exhibit closes July 25.

Price lists and maps are inside the Gilsland Farm environmental center, which is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday–Saturday and Noon–4 p.m. Sundays. (When the center is closed, they’re available outside its door.) Gilsland Farm’s grounds are open from dawn to dusk.

Artists include: Edwin Gamble, Case Conover, Cabot Lyford, Ray Carbone, Carol Driscoll, Sharon Townshend, Jean Noon, Melita Westerlund, Stephen Porter, Andreas von Huene, Jordan Smith, George Sherwood, Gary Haven Smith, Paul Heroux, Lise Becu, Wendy Klemperer, Steve Lindsay, John BonSignore, Dan Ucci, Herb Ferris, Jesse Salisbury, Mark Herrington, John Bowdren, James Pierce, Squidge Davis, Roy Patterson, Constance Rush

For directions and related events: www.junelacombesculpture.com, e-mail jlacombesculpture@maine.rr.com, phone (207) 688-4468.

MAINE AUDUBON works to conserve Maine’s wildlife and wildlife habitat by engaging people of all ages in education, conservation and action. For more than 160 years, Maine Audubon has been connecting people with nature and leading science-based conservation in major projects across the state. An independent affiliate of Audubon’s national organization, Maine Audubon has seven local chapters, 11 nature centers and sanctuaries, and 11,000 members and supporters.

##