Grace Hudson Museum

"Ignite! The Art of Sustainability" features collaborative perspectives on California’s environment

Film on Russian River watershed opens exhibit

Ukiah, California, March 5, 2015 – Illuminating both historical and contemporary perspectives on the natural and human forces that have shaped the current landscape of California, a new exhibition, "Ignite! The Art of Sustainability," opens at the Grace Hudson Museum on Saturday, March 21, 2015 and runs through Sunday, May 17, 2015. The traveling exhibition, produced by Exhibit Envoy and curated by Kate Davies, presents original artworks by California’s foremost contemporary artists who have long focused their work on issues of the environment and sustainability. Shining the spotlight on local watersheds, a feature-length documentary, "The Russian River: All Rivers -- The Value of an American Watershed" will screen at the City Council Chambers of the Ukiah Civic Center at 300 Seminary Ave. on Sunday, March 22 from 1:30 to 4 pm. Visitors are welcome to view the "Ignite!" exhibit before the film. The film event is free to all.

"Ignite! The Art of Sustainability" is a result of community dialogues hosted throughout the state by the Green Museums Initiative Committee of the California Association of Museums. Contemporary artists, known for their focus on environmental issues, were invited to join scientists, environmentalists, and leaders in business and museums for conversations that have inspired regional collaborations to seek solutions to ecological challenges. Based on this exchange, the exhibit artists--Kim Abeles, Robert Dawson, Sant Khalsa, Judith Lowry, Mendocino County artist Linda MacDonald, Ann Savageau, and Kim Stringfellow--created new work to visually translate the complexity of these issues. Additional work from artists Penelope Gottlieb, Newton & Helen Mayer Harrison, Gyöngy Laky, Luke Matjas, and Daniel McCormick was added to deepen the exploration of California’s ecology at local and regional levels. Together, their approach is multidisciplinary, drawing on art, science, spirituality, and social justice.

These twelve artists communicate a heightened connection to their natural surroundings through rich imagery, using a variety of media from the traditional (photographs, painting, and video) to the unconventional (smog/particulate matter on porcelain). What emerges are the unique traits of California’s ecological regions and the range of extremes present in our state. For the installation at the Grace Hudson Museum, pieces by Mendocino County sculptor and architect Charles Bello of the Redwood Forest Institute have been added to the mix.

The exhibition, like the state, can be divided into six regions defined by geographical features and population centers: Northern California, Sierra Nevada & Foothills, Central Coast, Central Valley, South Central Coast, and Southland Deserts. Interpretive panels include background information and quotes from each artist to help viewers reflect on the relationship to the places that we inhabit.

Bay Area photographer Robert Dawson celebrates the success stories of environmental preservation: “For all the destruction witnessed, I discovered that California remains a remarkable source of innovation that is often fueled by love of the place and memory of what it once was.” And Central Coast artist Luke Matjas explains, “Ultimately my work attempts to re-instill a sense of mystery and wonder to our world."

While each region faces unique environmental challenges, the exhibit explores topics that cross regional, state, and international boundaries. Water is one of those resources whose vital presence is woven through the exhibit. Southern California artist Sant Khalsa comments,“Historically it was the import of water that grew Southern California and it will be water that will decide our future.”

Of course, water will decide our future in the northern as well as the southern part of the state. The Museum's opening event, the two-hour documentary "The Russian River: All Rivers—The Value of An American Watershed," explores the conflicts and challenges involved in restoring and retaining the health of this legendary California river. Directed by William Sorensen and shot in ultra high definition, the film brings together live action footage and numerous compelling interviews with prominent activists to stimulate interest in, and motivate action about water use, water quality, and the loss of irreplaceable biodiversity. The film also covers the river's history as a geological, biological, and social entity, while expressing its profound beauty and that of the surrounding ecosystem and providing a balanced and engaging resource to communities blessed with great river watersheds. A discussion with the filmmakers will follow the film.

This traveling exhibition was made possible by funding from The James Irvine Foundation, and locally by funding from the Sun House Guild. For more information about the Green Museums Initiative and the larger "Ignite! Museums as Catalysts for Sustainability" project, please visit the California Association of Museums website at www.calmuseums.org. The exhibit was produced by Exhibit Envoy, a statewide organization that provides traveling exhibitions and professional services to museums throughout California. Its mission is to build new perspectives among Californians, create innovative exhibitions and solutions, and advance institutions in service to their communities. For more information, visit www.exhibitenvoy.org. In a commitment to the spirit of this exhibition, exhibition fabrication includes reused and repurposed materials and art crates that are reused or built by suppliers that utilize green business practices.

The Grace Hudson Museum is at 431 S. Main St. in Ukiah and is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10 am to 4:30 pm, and Sunday from noon to 4:30 pm. General admission is $4; $10 per family; $3 for students and seniors; free to all on the first Friday of the month; and always free to members. For more information please go to www.gracehudsonmuseum.org or call (707) 467-2836.