MEDIA CONTACT:
Katie Murray
kmurray@orangecountync.gov
919-245-2335
Hillsborough, NC, Apr. 15, 2024 – Through Saturday, April 27th, more than 130 works of environmentally-themed works of art will be on exhibit at the Eno Arts Mill Gallery as part of 1.5°C presented by the Orange County Arts Commission (OCAC) in partnership with the Orange County Office of Sustainability,
An open Call for Artists invited visual artists from Orange, Durham, Wake, Chatham, Caswell, Person, and Alamance counties to investigate environmental themes through works of original art to be displayed in the Eno Arts Mill Gallery throughout April. Artists submitted works of art made from recycled, natural, or sustainable materials and/or art themed around the environment, earth, climate change, sustainability or similar topics. Possible considerations of themes to explore included, “How are we impacting the earth?” or “What does a healthy earth look like to you?”
The Orange County Office of Sustainability committed to a Purchase Award of up to $1,500 for the pieces that they felt best captured the theme of the show and response to the call’s prompt. The department choose “Emergent Tides” by Durham artist Amy Wetsch and “We Are Made of Star Stuff” by Durham artist Cat DM of Starstruck Creative.
“Emergent Tides” measures 54″ x 20″ and is made from recycled copper gaskets from NASA & John Hopkins University, recycled sands, recycled glass, salt, glue, pigment, and resin. Artist Amy Wetsch states, “as the climate crisis in our world continues to grow, it is important to work harder than ever to better understand the environment in which we live. One way to do this is by studying other solar bodies in our universe to gain a better understanding of their materials and processes and compare them to what we know about Earth. These copper gasket artworks were created in collaboration with planetary scientists from NASA and Johns Hopkins University. The copper rims were used in scientific experiments to recreate the atmospheric conditions surrounding planetary bodies in space where researchers prepare a gaseous mixture and pump it into the chamber. The gas is then exposed to plasma or UV light, creating a reaction that produces haze particles. Through these intricate experiments, haze particles, also known as complex organics, accumulate inside the chamber, mimicking those found around planetary bodies. These particles often contain the building blocks of life and enable scientists to better understand the conditions on these distant planetary bodies. Copper gaskets are used to create an airtight seal enclosing the gaseous mixtures. The gaskets can only be used for one experiment and are then discarded. I began repurposing these gaskets and conducting my own artistic experiments inside them, using a variety of materials such as salt, sand, glass, glue, pigment, and resin. Through these pieces, I aim to represent the atmospheres studied in the lab and share these awe-inspiring scientific artifacts that can help us better understand Earth.”
Orange County Office of Sustainability Programs Manager Amy Eckberg credited the uniqueness of the recycled materials and the relevancy to the theme of the show in the department’s decision.
“We Are Made of Star Stuff” is a digital illustration on canvas and measures 24″ x 24.” According to the artist Cat DM, “this piece is part of a series called ‘Save Our Stars.’ In this series, I craft images to probe the impact of light pollution on our lives. I seek to vividly illustrate landscapes as they would appear with clear, bright skies. I seek to use art as a bridge to raise awareness about light pollution, the importance of preserving our skies for historical, cultural, and scientific reasons, and fostering our sense of well-being and place in the broader universe.”
Eckberg states the piece was initially chosen for 1.5°C promotional materials because of the feelings it evokes when imagining the planet as is was prior to human influence. “This beautiful piece played a critical role in the success of 1.5°C and we wanted to have it as a permanent reminder of this important project.”
Both pieces will be exhibited in public areas of the Whitted Human Services Building in Downtown Hillsborough.
There are over 130 different works that are part of the show, ranging in sizes from five inches tall to eleven feet tall and consisting of a wide variety of different mediums.
The show was in part to commemorate the Orange County Board of County Commissioners adoption of the County’s first Climate Action Plan (CAP) in November, 2023 and to bring awareness to the urgency of climate action. To learn more about the Climate Action Plan visit HERE.
Participating artists include: Alexandrea Lassiter, Alison Charchar, Allie Duffney, Allison Tierney, Amy Wetsch, Ann Brownlee Hobgood, Anna Myers, Antonia Brown, Becky R Johnson, Boots Quimby, Calvert Johnny, Carin Walsh & Jenny Blazing, Cat de Montjoye, Chieko Murasugi, Dimples Gibbs, Ellen Elgar, Erik Valera, Erin Ives, Eryn Donnalley, Esten Walker, Grayce Graham Curry, Greta Boney, Isa Verna, Jacqueline Rimmler, James Keul, Janet L Ecklebarger, Joan Rasmussen, Joel Sobelson, Judy Maloney, Kathryn Anne Olive, Katie Clark, Katie King, Laura Oleniacz, Lisa Philipps, Mary Lee Kerr, Megan Corbally, Natalia Torres del Valle, Nerys Levy, Pat Perrin, Rebecca Neigher, Ruby Johnny, Sampada Kodagali Agarwal, Selina Akter, Shady Kimzey, Dr. Sheila Adams, Shin-Yiing Yeung, Sophie Crouse, Stacy Bloom Rexode, Steevie Parks, Sterling Bowen, Steve Wright, Taro Takizawa, Thomas Graham, Tina Marcus, TJ Mundy, Todd Jones, Tripp’s Store collaborative of Mae Lettuce and Dani Lyn, Wendy Scott, and Yvonne M. Eadon.
1.5°C will be on view at the Eno Arts Mill Gallery through April 27, 2024 and is open Tuesdays through Fridays from 12 to 5pm. The OCAC is offering a 20% discount on all purchases for the remainder of the show.
To stay updated on the happenings and future open calls of the Orange County Arts Commission, follow on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter and at artsorange.org.
- For more information on the Eno Arts Mill Gallery, click here
- To learn more about the details of the call for art, visit artsorange.org/1point5c.
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The Orange County Arts Commission is a unit of Orange County government and has served as Designated County Partner to the North Carolina Arts Council for Orange County since 1985. Our mission is to promote and strengthen the artistic and cultural development of Orange County, North Carolina, by providing programs, promotional support, and resources to the arts community. Together with our nonprofit partner, the Orange County Arts Alliance, we operate and manage the Eno Arts Mill, an inclusive, multipurpose arts space located in Hillsborough. Learn more at artsorange.org.