You are invited to a special art-focused event to celebrate our environmental community on World Environment Day.
It may be challenging to think of anything other than the increasing setbacks that have been levied against the environmental communities since Inauguration Day 2025. From slashed funding that cripples grants at the local level, to proposed rollbacks of essential legislation that protects our natural resources, wildlife and lives, it is daunting. Despite the challenges, a key contingent of passionate protectors, many in the Sierra Club, are steadfast in the fight. With that in mind, World Environment Day, Thursday, June 5, is an occasion to celebrate our work to protect wildlife and wild places.
Environmental advocacy takes many types of “doers” - from those on the frontlines to behind-the-scenes researchers and policy wonks, and notably, it takes creative activists to describe, surface emotions and amplify issues. Artists, songwriters and poets reveal inner truths and our collective angst, anger, awe and joy. Together and united, we enable change. In that spirit this community celebration honors the work of all who work to protect our precious natural resources and wildlife.
Local artists - from wildlife photographers to eco-art upcyclers - are coming together for a fun night of inspiration and camaraderie for all of us. Noted poet and environmental attorney Jim Blackburn is the featured speaker along with artist Isabelle Scurry Chapman. Sandra Love Sanchez, co-founder of Indigenous Peoples of the Coastal Bend, will provide a Grounding Prayer for this inaugural event.
Artists who have graciously agreed to share their work for the event include Do'wal Sehi of the Karankawa Tribe, watercolorist Susan Steinberg, Stuart Larson of UH-Clear Lake, scientific illustrator Lauryn Fly, and award-winning amateur wildlife photographer Gary Seloff, and Angela Duron Larson, who will be sharing her landscape photography. Steve Stelzer, an architect by training, will bring his creative and functional upcycled art pieces and Elizabeth Umanzor, a Latina visual artist, will be live painting during the event!
This event, titled “World Environment Day Celebration and Art Mixer” is a great opportunity to mix and mingle with allies and advocates who make up our strong, vibrant environmental community! Hosted by community organizers Doug Peterson and Nicole Cloutier, both of whom are Sierra Club members, all are invited to join in this inclusive event. Light refreshments will be available.
Come be uplifted by the beautiful art and beautiful words. For more information and to RSVP go to https://tinyurl.com/2xp8za5j. Don't miss out on this inspiring event!