Art is often inspired by nature. In Florida’s Biscayne National Park, climate change motivated park ranger Gary Bremen to launch an art quilt competition — a juried show for which 26 creative quilts were selected for display. The layered quilts use embroidery, appliqué, and other techniques to essentially “paint” fabric pictures.
Called “Piecing Together a Changing Planet,” the exhibit debuted at Biscayne National Park and has since begun a tour to other national parks across the country.
The idea for the project came when Bremen was looking for a way to use art to inform park visitors about climate change.
Bremen: “There is a long tradition going back to the very beginnings of national parks of artists playing a role in garnering support for the idea of national parks.”
The goal of the art quilt exhibit is to get people thinking about how climate change is affecting these national treasures.
The images highlight the impacts climate change is having on our national parks, such as coral bleaching, and damages from destructive storms. One quilt portrays a coastal habitat with a wildfire raging in the background.
To counter the effects of climate change, the quilters hope a stitch in time saves nine.
Giving rise to art quilts project [ Listen Now (1:25) ]
First the beauty … then the message [ Listen Now (:37) ]
Arts help bridge the gap [ Listen Now (:17) ]
Reporting credit: ChavoBart Digital Media.
Photo source: National Park Service website.
More Resources
National Park Service Art Exhibit
“Piecing Together a Changing Planet” on Facebook