“Environmentally Engaged” is an exhibition of different artists’ work that stimulates conversations to develop strategies and policies to foster awareness and positive environmental change in Florida’s ecosystem. This Lighthouse ArtCenter Exhibit is co-curated by Lucy Keshavarz and Diane Arrieta (aka Birds are Nice/BAN) and judged by Paul Fisher.  The artists give us much to consider and will hopefully spur us to ACTION.  The Rickie Report shares the details, including the Opening Event at 3rd Thursday, September 17th from 5:30 to 7:30 pm.  We also highlight the creativity and thoughts of the curators.  Don’t miss this event!  The Exhibit continues through October 24th. This is the perfect opportunity to bring the family, to discuss the subjects and how everyone CAN make a difference.

 

 

 

 

Lighthouse ArtCenter

Presents:

“Environmentally Engaged”

3rd Thursday, September 17th

5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Opening & Awards Reception and special lectures by co-curators

Co-curated by Lucy Keshavarz and Diane Arrieta (aka Birds are Nice/BAN)

Judged by Paul Fisher

Exhibit Runs: September 10 – October 24th

373 Tequesta Drive     Tequesta, FL 33469

561-746-3101

 

www.LighthouseArts.org

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Meet Diane Arrieta  and Lucy Keshavarz

 

Diane Arrieta (aka Birds Are Nice/BAN) is an interdisciplinary artist who utilizes various printmaking techniques with cut vinyl, illustration, sculpture and animation. Her work has a distinct urban feel, with a style rooted in the comic book genre, but also has strong influences from artist like Robert Rauschenberg, Jasper Johns and Daisy Youngblood.  Her work has been categorized as socio-eco-political and often focuses on difficult subjects. Currently, her work focuses on environmental topics.

 

 

Diane holds a BFA in ceramic sculpture from Florida Atlantic University and a MSc in Wildlife Biology from the University of Edinburgh, U.K. She works as the science and art outreach coordinator at FAU libraries in Jupiter, FL; as well as the research assistant for the Taras Oceanographic Foundation; studying wild dolphin populations off the Coast of Palm Beach County.  Diane (aka Birds Are Nice/BAN) is an internationally recognized artist.

 

 

 

Her latest body of work is used as a communication tool for raising awareness of biological concepts related to biodiversity, species loss, habitat degradation and the relationship of these things to human health and well-being. Having Native American roots and Taoist beliefs, this artist focuses on an ecocentric mindset that places nature and animals above humans. She utilizes materials and certain processes that are typically used for commercial and  industrial  purposes as her way of turning consumer based items into works of art that speak about the environment. Parallel to the ecological topics, much of the work of (Birds Are Nice) BAN focuses on social-political issues, mainly affecting women and children.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diane shares her insights with The Rickie Report, ” Amphibian populations have been plummeting for the following reasons: Habitat destruction, Chytridiomycosis (a fungal disease), introduction of non-native species, overexploitation, climate change, UV-B radiation from increased ozone depletion, chemical contaminants from pesticides, acidification and nitrogen based fertilizers. Second meaning…we have to kiss a lot of frogs to find our prince!  Strongly associated with the water element, the frog connects us with the world of emotions and feminine energies, as well as the process of cleansing, whether it’s physical, emotional, more spiritual or energetic”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diane shares, “Whales are at the top of the food chain and have an important role in the overall health of the marine environment. Unfortunately their large size and mythical aura does not protect them; seven out of the 13 great whale species are classified as endangered or vulnerable, even after decades of protection. Collisions with ships, entanglement in fishing gear (known as bycatch) and pollution are a threat to all whales and dolphins. Shipping activity and oil development causes damaging noise that can disrupt their hearing, which disrupts critical feeding and breeding activities. Commercial whaling still kills over 1000 whales a year”.

 

 

Children are a reoccurring theme in the works of Birds Are Nice (BAN). Nietzsche said, “The child is innocence and forgetting, a new beginning, a sport, a self-propelling wheel, a Sacred Yes”. BAN’s work strives for the simplicity of that childhood innocence. Moreover, research shows that how children relate to the environment directly correlates to how they view nature in adulthood. The work is visually engaging and allows both adults and children to investigate social and environmental issues without feeling threatened.

 

 

 

 

Lucy Keshavarz is a fifteenth generation Floridian and graduated with a BFA from Florida Atlantic University. In 1987, she assisted her husband in opening Keshavarz & Associates, Inc., a civil engineering and survey firm in West Palm Beach. Lucy has worked with various performing arts organizations and directed the GardensArt program in the City of Palm Beach Gardens.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lucy founded Art & Culture Group, Inc.(ACG) in 1999. Through ACG, her work has included developing and facilitating art in public places projects, curator of rotating public art programs, and managing multi-media exhibitions traveling across the US. Lucy’s work includes clay, glass and mixed-media as well as public art and EcoArt projects.

 

 

 

Lucy is acutely aware of the environmental degradation that has taken place in Florida. Through her art she promotes the cultural paradigm shifts needed to bring about healing and restoration of our environment. An example is Native Impressions™, a new series of works in clay that brings her recent EcoArt projects into the gallery. These pieces illustrate the beauty of Florida native plants species and the need to bring these back to all places in Florida.

 

 

 

 

For more information about this Exhibit, classes, lectures and art events at the Lighthouse ArtCenter, please visit:

www.LighthouseArts.org

 

 

 

For coverage of your events, to place an advertisement, or speak to Rickie about appearing in The Rickie Report, contact:

Rickie Leiter, Publisher

The Rickie Report

P.O.Box 33423

Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33420

Rickie@therickiereport.com

561-537-0291