Nature of Art: Ogeechee Riverkeeper and artist Juliana Smith partner for creative fundraiser
While conservation and art may not seem like the most obvious pairing at first, there seems to be an invisible string drawing the two together.
At least that seemed to be the case for artist Juliana Smith and Ogeechee Riverkeeper (ORK) Communications and Administrative Director Meaghan Gerard. After a chance meeting at an art market, the pair realized they had a chance to invite people from all backgrounds to celebrate art and nature by meeting them where their interests lay.
“There's a whole host of ways people come to care about the environment, and art is one of them,” Smith said. “Reminding people what’s beautiful about where we live and what we're protecting is just another way to make sure we're inspiring them to keep our water clean.”
Art + Conservation
This blend of art and conservation made way for “Blackwater Barons,” Smith’s latest linocut piece created in partnership with ORK, a Savannah-based nonprofit organization working to protect, preserve and improve the water quality in the Ogeechee River Basin. As the pair discussed their approach, they emphasized the similar roles that creativity and nature play in our lives.
“I think, in our lives now, allowing yourself to be creative is kind of a luxury, and it's one we should indulge in more. It’s nice to just kind of be a kid, to put all the adult stuff aside and let yourself mess with something and see what happens,” Gerard said. “I think that also creates a lot of parallels with being in nature. You can set everything aside and just rest by the river for a minute.”
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That tranquil resting period is a perfect way for anyone to get to know the environment a little better. Smith's career as a naturalist in the South Carolina Lowcountry ensured she was already familiar with some aspects of the Ogeechee River, but others, like the tupelo tree and robust redhorse fish, were new. After working with Gerard to learn more about the Ogeechee River Basin, Smith designed and hand-carved a linocut that features some of the basin’s most iconic wildlife.
“You've got the alligator, which everybody knows and loves. Then you have the ibis, the spire lilies and the cypress knees,” Smith said. “I liked the idea of the tupelo overhanging everything and the roots kind of cradling things with the help of the robust redhorse.”
That gentle cradling provides some structure in the resulting black-and-white prints of "Blackwater Barons." More noticeably, it adds a touch of wild beauty, an additional reason to prioritize conservation.
"It's important to remember that it's not necessarily just about the functionality. There’s value in the aesthetics and enjoyability of life,” Gerard said. “We not only want a place to live, we want that place to be something we want to live in.”
'Economic development can be done well, but it needs to be done right'
To receive a print of “Blackwater Barons,” interested buyers can make a $500 donation toward ORK’s general operation costs. This includes ongoing projects such as Protect the Vernon, which helps remove pollution from the Vernon River, and research on PFAS, a group of harmful man-made chemicals that enter waterways and accumulate in the human body.
These donations will also allow ORK to continue advocating for environmentally friendly approaches to development, another key component of the organization's mission.
“Economic development can be done well, but it needs to be done right,” Gerard said.
One of the best ways to help keep economic development in check is to stay informed of the laws that impact our environment.
“It’s so easy to get involved in your local politics and what's happening at your local planning department,” Smith said. “You can make a lot of impact at the local level.”
Diving into laws and politics can be intimidating, but it helps to have quality resources like ORK's beginner’s guide on hand. It also helps to have a strong community working with you.
“If you are nervous about it, maybe find two or three neighbors, and you guys can take turns going to council meetings to make sure you know what's going on,” Gerard suggested.
If local politics still seem too overwhelming, there are many ways people can all do their part. Conservation can be a social activity, and joining an Audubon society or community garden is a great way to meet new friends. If you've been thinking about starting a garden at home, opt for plants native to the area. If you're short on time, a small donation can still make a world of difference for nonprofits working to ensure the Ogeechee River’s natural artistry and vibrant wildlife stick around for years to come.
“This is a finite planet. We're not guaranteed everything all the time, forever,” Smith said. “We really just need to think about where our future is going.”
More information about donations and “Blackwater Barons” are available at ogeecheeriverkeeper.org/prints. Smith’s work can be found on Instagram at @knowyourearth_ and etsy.com/shop/knowyourearth.
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Artist creates linocut for Savannah Georgia Ogeechee Riverkeeper
