An artistic revolution is taking place in the picturesque coastal town of Newburyport, Massachusetts. The PEG Center for Art & Activism has launched its fourth annual environmental art exhibition, “Sea Change: Transforming our Eco-Future.” This thought-provoking showcase celebrates the beauty of our natural world and serves as a stark reminder of the environmental challenges we face.
A Confluence of Art and Activism
Building on the success of last year’s “A River Runs Through Us” exhibition, which explored our connection to nature and the vitality of the Merrimack River, “Sea Change” takes a broader, more urgent approach. The exhibition brings together ten talented artists, each offering their unique perspectives on climate impacts and potential solutions.
Paula Estey, Executive Director at the PEG Center, explains the significance of the exhibition’s title: “‘Sea Change’ represents a substantial shift in perspective, especially one that affects a group or society on a particular issue. Through this exhibition, we aim to emotionally engage viewers and compel them to contemplate the preciousness of our environment.”
A Diverse Palette of Environmental Art
The exhibition features an eclectic mix of artworks, each powerful in its own right:
- Beth Galston’s large, site-specific installation of laser-cut felt leaves brings a touch of nature’s delicacy indoors.
- Jessica Straus offers haunting visions of a post-apocalyptic world filled with longing for what once was.
- Erin Starr’s paintings explore climate change themes, and they are accompanied by QR codes that encourage viewers to delve deeper into these crucial issues.
- Margery Hamlen’s print series “Against Sorrow” evokes a complex emotional landscape of care, sorrow, and profound love for our planet.
- Lisa Barthelson’s family debris sculptures provide a humorous yet poignant commentary on consumer waste.
The exhibition offers a multifaceted look at our relationship with the environment, from a spinning wheel of possible environmental outcomes to brilliant photography and whimsical pieces created from reclaimed garbage.
More Than Just an Exhibition
“Sea Change” is not content to showcase art – it aims to inspire action. Over the next three months, the PEG Center and local collaborators will host events designed to help the community reduce plastic consumption. One highlight will be a screening of “We Are All Plastic People Now,” followed by a panel discussion featuring Andrea LaCroix, an active “Beyond Plastics” member from Bennington College.
A Call to Action
“We all despair over climate change, and we all try to change our daily habits,” Estey reflects. “One plastic toy… A family’s worth of plastic toys… An earth’s worth… And you begin to see the magnitude, the cost, and the grief of our impact on the environment. It is high time for a sea change in personal responsibility for our daily actions.”
This sentiment echoes throughout the exhibition, challenging visitors to consider their own role in shaping our planet’s future.
Join the Movement
“Sea Change: Transforming our Eco-Future” runs through September 28, 2024, at the PEG Center for Art & Activism, 3 Harris Street, Newburyport, MA. The Center is open Tuesday through Thursday from noon to 5 p.m., and Friday through Saturday from noon to 4 p.m.
Don’t miss the free reception on Thursday, July 18, from 6-8 p.m., where you can meet the artists and gain deeper insights into their work.
As we face unprecedented environmental challenges, exhibitions like “Sea Change” remind us of the power of art to provoke, educate, and motivate. It’s time for all of us to be part of the sea change our planet so desperately needs.
This exhibition is partially funded by the City of Newburyport Resiliency Committee and a grant from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs’ Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Action Grant.
About the PEG Center for Art & Activism: The PEG Center’s mission is to provide visitors with the transcendent beauty of contemporary art while catalyzing conscious change. Through creative expression, engaging conversations, and committed action, we strive to elevate the quality of our community and address crucial issues in human rights, social justice, and the environment.
Visit us at 3 Harris St. in Newburyport, MA, or explore our website at www.thepegcenter.org for upcoming events and programs. For more information, contact Paula Estey at 978-376-4746 or info@thepegcenter.org.
