Art With A Purpose

Some define art, true art, as something which only exists for itself. The intent of the artist, is the purpose of the art. Not here. In the Art Lab, I create for a different reason. Nature.

As an ecologist working in the public sector, I have been a part of many funding discussions regarding environmental projects. Some for research, others for action. I have seen firsthand many fantastic projects cut short for one reason or another. Some reasons were good, others bad. And yes, some of them were my own projects.

I created the New Leaf Art Lab to help with the ones that were lost for bad reasons. Political reasons. Fiscal reasons. Petty reasons.

Since I have a well-established career in my field, I do not have to subsist off my art. My art can be free to do what it must. Sales of my art can therefore be used in two different ways. The first, to fund the supplies needed to make more art. So, it can become its own self-sustaining process. The second, to fund environmental projects. The real art!

For example, I designed a rooftop nesting habitat for a migratory waterbird (the Black Skimmer (Rynchops niger) that provides essential breeding habitat that has been lost to climate change, sea level rise, human development and recreation. Additionally, the rooftop captures stormwater, reduces the urban heat island effect, and lowers the cooling costs of the building tenants. Furthermore, once completed, the rooftop can enlist the aid of local youth-based non-profits to provide local teens with the opportunity to learn new job skills and participate in scientific research.

And yes, that was one of my projects that was never funded. It’s also the reason I created the New Leaf Art Lab.

Together we can make those types of projects a reality. Not by asking for a handout on a crowd funding platform, but by working together. Changing the world, together.

Like I said, art with a purpose.