People are constantly bombarded with facts and information about the climate crisis, so how do we get the public to connect emotionally with the issue? The Conservation Council of New Brunswick takes a unique approach through its From Harm to Harmony Community Engaged Artist in Residence and Mentorship Program. This program fosters emotional connections with environmental issues through art, inspiring action for a sustainable future.
That’s why we are thrilled to announce the arrival of five new artists in residence to this program. By working with community members to create art that highlights environmental issues, these artists will help inspire positive change. We are excited to welcome Karen LeBlanc, Ji Hyang Ryu, Anne and Kim Stilwell, Nadia Francavilla and Teresa Devor Hall to our cohort.
“We are delighted to welcome these new artists to the program,” says Danielle Smith, the Conservation Council of New Brunswick’s manager of citizens’ engagement. “Through our climate art program, we are turning these facts into emotions while giving people the ability to act. The talent of these artists and their dedication to environmental advocacy will be a tremendous asset to our organization and the community.”
Karen LeBlanc, a fibre artist and weaver living in Fredericton, N.B., uses natural and recycled materials to create three-dimensional forms. Karen has also exhibited internationally, nationally, regionally and locally and participated in residencies in Fredericton, Toronto and Parrsboro. She looks forward to working with the community through weaving workshops that foster climate change awareness and build hope for a sustainable future.
Ji Hyang Ryu is a self-taught painter living and practicing in Riverview N.B. Having immigrated to Canada from South Korea, her work infuses Canadian and Korean cultures into her art. She aims to raise awareness about critical environmental issues and inspire community action through her work.
Anne and Kim Stilwell are a daughter-mother duo art team from Keswick Ridge, N.B. under the name Ridge Works Studio. Their specialties lie within multiple disciplines such as ceramics, metal clay jewelry, linoleum block prints, painting and textiles. As multidisciplinary artists, no matter the medium, their theme remains constant and deeply rooted in nature. Through their art, they hope to help other people express climate concerns or become more aware of environmental issues.
Nadia Francavilla is a violinist from Fredericton, N.B. Through her performances, she communicates a powerful message about preserving our natural environments. She hopes to foster shared responsibility and appreciation for our world, emphasizing collective action in environmental stewardship.
Teresa Devor Hall,a migrant justice advocate and poet based in Fredericton, N.B., uses her art to shift collective awareness about climate change. Through storytelling, poetry and outdoor experiences, she wants migrants to be creative agents of change. Teresa envisions poetry as a tool for migrant youth and adults to communicate their experiences with climate justice and injustice and their visions for a better future.
The artists will be available for interviews upon request.
For more information, please contact:
Corey Robichaud, Director of Communications, Conservation Council of New Brunswick | corey.robichaud@conservationcouncil.ca | 506.458.8747