In the tradition of social sculpture, I organize and lead events that aim to impart a sense of discovered knowledge, to release creative energy, to arouse a sense of delight in nature, and to inspire collective action on behalf of the environment.
Below are images of and links to selected events for participants of all ages -- my resume lists all my events. I also lead events for groups of children or teens.
For some events, we gather at a natural site and use the materials we find there. For these events, I often work with a local naturalist to ensure that our efforts are responsive to the local environment.
For other events, I bring natural materials to urban settings, allowing me to make art with people who otherwise might have limited contact with nature.
To be notified of upcoming events, many of which are free of charge, sign up for my email list (never shared).
You can also hire me to lead an event.
Annual Earth Day Celebrations at Stinson Beach (2005 - present). I lead this free annual event on Earth Day weekend at the south end of Stinson Beach in Northern California. Professional artists, community members and passers-by use sand, rocks, and other treasures to collaboratively create temporary sculpture. Beach cleanup is part of our event, as with many Earth Day celebrations. But the intention is to go far beyond that: to create an experience in and with nature that we can carry with us all year long, feeling inspired and energized to clean up and protect the earth for more than just one day. This Marin Independent Journal article describes the event in detail. More....
Nature Sculpture Arena at Art & Soul 2007. Sixty-thousand festivalgoers converged on downtown Oakland for this three-day festival. I stocked the arena with a van load of natural materials, and engaged visitors of all ages in making nature sculpture in the midst of urban revelry. I encouraged participants to explore the oasis I provided, to be playful and creative with the materials, and to work together. Curated by Pro Arts InSite Exhibition Services. Oakland, CA, September 1-3, 2007. More....
Creating a Wild Zone at Ulistac Natural Area. A group of Intel executives and employees helped me create the framework for a brand-new Wild Zone, in partnership with Ulistac Natural Area Restoration and Education Project, and Santa Clara University Environmental Studies Institute. We created a 40-foot boat, complete with sail, captain, and ornamental figurehead. All the participants boarded the boat for this group photo. Santa Clara, CA, March 20, 2008. More....
Making Nature Sculpture in the Ulistac Wild Zone at the 2008 Wildflower Celebration, presented by the Ulistac Natural Area Restoration and Education Project & Santa Clara University Environmental Studies Institute. More....
Nature Sculpture Arena at the 5th Annual North Berkeley Spice of Life Festival, presented by the North Shattuck Association and ACCI Gallery. A van-load of natural materials brought to the site inspired a whirl of intergenerational creative activity in the midst of this urban street festival. Berkeley, CA, October 14, 2007. More....
Rock Balancing Workshops. In these workshops, offered for mixed-age groups as well as for groups of children or teens, I teach basic techniques and physics of balancing, in an atmosphere of playful exploration. More....
Celebrating Cerrito Creek Through Art , in partnership with Friends of Five Creeks. Using on-site natural materials, we made sculpture along the banks of this restored creek at the edge of a shopping mall. El Cerrito, CA, October 13, 2007. More....
From Art to Action and Whose Nature? What's Nature?, sponsored by Sun Valley Center for the Arts. Ketchum, Idaho, November 11 and 12, 2006. More....
From Art to Action on Berkeley Creeks. This community environmental art project in partnership with Friends of Five Creeks and River of Words sought to educate and inspire our community to appreciate, enjoy, value, preserve, and restore watersheds. In the spring of 2006, each of three groups used materials found on site to make temporary art installations at three distinct creek environments: headwaters high in the Berkeley hills, mid-creek, and creek mouth at the Bay. Local events and exhibitions featuring large-format photographs of the artworks promote appreciation, enjoyment, dialogue, and action. More....