SAVE THE DATE: March 1, 2025
Organized by Jessica Robey (FSU) and Anna Wilkins (NCLT) 
Anna Wilkins, NCLT’s Director of Conservation and Climate is working with Fitchburg State University (FSU) professor of Art History, Jessica Robey, on organizing a symposium entitled On the Edge: Nature and Culture in a Time of Crisis. This first-of-its-kind symposium and art exhibition at FSU seeks to explore different ways in which culture producers can recalibrate our relationship to nature and connect us to a more sustainable path moving forward. The symposium brings together New England artists in different fields of cultural production to discuss strategies, collaborations, obstacles, and how to make hopeful action possible in the face of environmental crisis.
As with many areas of the country, many folks in north central Mass feel disconnected from discussions about climate change and environmental degradation. While they may be experiencing the effects of environmental issues, such as flooding, drought, heatwaves, and public health issues, their voices have not yet become a part of the larger discourse shaping our future. Jessica sees this in the students at FSU; many are first-generation college students, and/or are immigrants. They often do not feel that they have much influence over the cultural forces around them.
In our quest to conserve, steward, and protect the land our communities rely on, North County Land Trust recognizes the critical need to reconnect our society with the land, especially as we make decisions on how to regenerate our communities. To do this we need to engage with creative leaders who can reflect back to us how our personal stories are linked to a larger narrative, and how our values and dreams empower and redeem us. These creative voices can show us our connections to the past, the future, and the here-and-now where we have the space to act. They give us hope that our collective actions will bring about change. They remind us that we cannot, and do not, walk alone.
An exhibition of the contributing artist’s work opens January 14th, 2025 in the Hammond Gallery at FSU. Original works from the 2023 graphic novel “Mother Nature” illustrated by Karl Stevens, collage art by Todd Bartel, work by critically acclaimed composer, Ben Cosgrove, will be on display for students and the general public as well as featured special guest Brian Lee Young, author and filmmaker. The exhibition will culminate with the Symposium where a live panel discussion with all three artists will be moderated on March 1st , 2025 at Fitchburg State University.
Learn More about our artists:
Todd Bartel: https://toddbartel.com/
Photo credit: Roma Bartel, 2024
Ben Cosgrove: https://www.bencosgrove.com/
Karl Stevens: https://www.instagram.com/karlstevensart/
Brian Lee Young: https://brianleeyoung.com/
This program is made possible and sponsored by Fitchburg State University, North County Land Trust, as well as being funded in part by grants from Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area and the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
