Art can inspire, educate, encourage self-reflection, and build community cohesion. Artists are key interpreters of our world, helping to contextualize and clarify emotion (such as climate grief), interpret and illuminate science (such as mycorrhizal networks and sea level rise), and encourage action and engagement (through personal or community story). Artists are key participants in the conversation about nature-based solutions and climate.

Each year, we invite a selection of Canadian artists, whose work straddles the science/art divide, to contribute research creation projects. Each artist is asked to create a piece that engages with nature-based solutions, and to present the work to their community. Artist commissions address nature-based solutions through digital visualization, poetry, drawings, sculpture, and photographs. 

ENBS participated in the 2024 Living and Learning with Climate Change Exhibition

ENBS exhibited six commissioned artists in the University of Victoria’s Living and Learning with Climate Change exhibition in February-March 2024. This student-led learning series about local climate change action featured artworks by students and local artists on the main floor of the McPherson Library, UVic. 

Exhibited artists included: Erin Robinsong & Merlin Sheldrake, Kirstie McCallum & Ken Josephson, Emrys Miller, Colton Hash, and Rande Cook.

2024 Artists

Four artists are being supported through commission to produce artworks that address climate change in 2024: 

• Marlene Creates & Don McKay (Portugal Cove, Newfoundland)
• Ariel Gordon (Winnipeg, Manitoba)
• Andrea Fritz (Victoria, British Columbia)