In/Of/About Nature

In/Of/About Nature July 29-September 7, 2023

Please join Art Saint Louis as we present In/Of/About Nature, a juried exhibit featuring works about nature, the natural world, and the environment by 69 St. Louis regional artists as juried by artists Carol Carter and Sukanya Mani. Closed September 2-4 in observance of Labor Day.

Graphic design by Emily Crull.Graphic design by Emily Crull.

In/Of/About Nature features recent artworks by 69 STL regional artists from Missouri and Illinois as juried by artists Carol Carter and Sukanya Mani. The works in this exhibit address themes of nature, the natural world, the environment, as well as humanity's impact on nature.

In/Of/About Nature is presented in the Art Saint Louis Gallery from July 29 through September 7, 2023.
The Gallery is closed September 2-4 in observance of Labor Day.

The exhibit began with a free reception on Saturday, August 5 from 5-7 p.m. Complimentary beverages were be served courtesy of the featured artists and Art Saint Louis.

Thanks to HEC-TV for their feature video on this exhibit. We appreciate the talents of Producer Paul Langdon who created this piece.

 

The 70 artworks in this show are in a wide range of media including ceramics, digital art, drawing, mixed media, painting, printmaking, sculpture, textiles, woodworking. You can view all of the featured works in our Facebook album here and then please come see everything in-person in the ASL Gallery through September 7.

Congratulations to Brenda Gilliam, Catherine Jeltes, Kyle Johnson, and Kelley Lanuto on the sales of their artworks from this exhibit. Congrats to our Award recipients for this show as selected by Jurors Carol Carter and Sukanya Mani: Best of Show Award: Andy Van Der Tuin; Awards of Excellence: Kate Cooper, Carla Duncan, Michael Halbert, Sharron Pollack; Honorable Mentions: Brenda Gilliam, Christine Ilewski, Gena Loseto, Nikita Anais Récamier.


LOCATION
The Art Saint Louis Gallery is located at 1223 Pine in downtown St. Louis and is free and open to the public six days a week, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Closed Sundays and September 2-4 for Labor Day.


SCHOOL & GROUP VISITS
We respectfully request that classes, clubs and groups comprised of 8 or more guests please make an appointment with us at least 7 days in advance so that we can best accommodate your visit.

 
OUR JURORS

Carol Carter, artist, St. Louis, MO. Carter an internationally-recognized artist whose award-winning works have been exhibited and published worldwide. MFA Washington University in St. Louis. MAA-NEA Fellowship (1994). Two retrospective exhibitions of Carter’s works were presented in 2022 at Margaret Harwell Art Museum, Poplar Bluff, MO, and Parkland College, Champaign, IL. In addition to solo exhibits, she regularly participates in curated and invitational group and solo exhibits. Renowned for her painting skill in watercolor, she has presented painting workshops nationally & internationally since 2000. Carol’s works are included in numerous private and public collections. A solo exhibit of Carol's work is currently on view at St. Louis Community College Florissant Valley.
Sukanya Mani is a St. Louis-based, Indian-born interdisciplinary artist. Working sculpturally in cut paper since 2008, Mani has created a unique form of art using papercut Tyvek. Her works are featured in prominent private and public collections and she has been creating commissioned public art pieces throughout the region for several years. A TEDX STL 2021 Speaker, Sukanya has received numerous awards and grants for her work creating art in the community. She regularly teaches workshops and serves as a Resident and Visiting Artist.


JURORS' STATEMENTS
 
  "I want to thank Robin Hirsch-Steinhoff and the staff at Art Saint Louis for inviting me to jury the In/Of/About Nature exhibit. The submissions for this show were very strong and narrowing them down was a very difficult task.
  I started by describing what In/of/About Nature meant to me and how I view this statement visually. I then spent time looking at each artwork closely while asking, “How does this piece successfully address the prompt?” I wanted to create a visual story for the viewer by offering artworks made with different media, and processes. I would like to thank each and every artist that submitted their artwork and let them know that it was seen and appreciated. Please do not be discouraged if your work was not chosen. 
I hope the viewer of this exhibit spends time with each artwork and comes out feeling moved and challenged by each piece as I was."

 — Sukanya Mani


  "I am honored to have been entrusted with the awesome responsibility of selecting work for In/Of/About Nature.” 

I had some difficult decisions to make. I decided to focus on artists taking their ideas into environmental awareness and beauty.
  Our planet is changing and we, as artists are responding to that change. Art reflecting the environment or environmental issues at this time is vital and critical. We are living in a moment of environmental expression in the arts. So it was not surprising to see a number of works engaging in political perspectives. I was especially pleased to see a diversity of voices and concerns.
 I was impressed with the quality of work and insight to the various environmental themes: water, sky, fire, air.The paintings reflecting disruptive change were undoubtedly important. The critical issues facing erosion, wildfires, oceanic pollution, land degradation, air quality, and loss of habitat are necessary to bring awareness. The conscientious artist who delves into exploring their feelings concerning our world is an important and noble spokesperson. Many artists here are raising their voices to be heard.
  When I jury an exhibition I am looking for work that I connect with. I sought to create a balance in materials and process. I selected works based on technical skill, conceptual execution, emotional impact, and creative fearlessness. The quality of the work was stellar, which only served to make my task more difficult. All works are of excellent quality and should serve as a source of pride to all.
  Exhibiting your art is the most important act of courage you can undertake as an artist. If you ever doubt yourself or your ability, persevere. Always continue to push your work out of the studio. It is important for your voice to be heard.
  I would like to thank all of the artists who submitted for offering me new ideas and moments of great beauty, along with the certainty that art exploring nature is alive and more relevant than ever in St. Louis. Thank you for letting me share these voices with you today."

— Carol Carter


FEATURED ARTISTS

Sheri Ahner, Kirkwood, MO
Keith Baizer, Ladue, MO
Sarah Ball, St. Louis, MO
Gaucha Berlin, St. Louis, MO

Maryn Blanco, St. Louis, MO
Hannah Buchanan, Rockville, IN
Jen Collins, Brentwood, MO
Kate Cooper**, Bloomfield, MO
Liz Corrigan, St. Louis, MO
Michael Crouse, Paducah, KY
Michael Daft, St. Louis, MO
Miguel de Aguero, Sullivan, MO
Dion Dion, Ballwin, MO
Mary Drastal, Chesterfield, MO
Carla Duncan**, Florissant, MO
Joshua Emery, Carbondale, IL
Mirka M. Fetté, Olivette, MO
Janet Fons, St. Peters, MO
Debbie Franke, St. Louis, MO
Andrew Frasca, St. Louis, MO
gaye gambell-peterson, St. Charles, MO
Lisa Geersten, Murphysboro, IL
Brenda Gilliam***, St. Louis, MO
Julie Glossenger, St. Louis, MO

Michael Halbert**, Fenton, MO
Jean Howard, Auxvasse, MO

Mark Hurd
, St. Louis, MO

Christine Ilewski***, Alton, IL
Ilex D., O’Fallon, IL
Catherine Jeltes, St. Louis, MO
Kyle Johnson, St. Louis, MO
Austin Kane, Wildwood, MO
Tom Karges, Rock Hill, MO
Patrick Kelly, St. Louis, MO
Robert Kokenyesi, Godfrey, IL
Anne Kostecki, O’Fallon, MO
Susan Kunz, Trenton, IL
Kelley Lanuto, St. Louis, MO
Terry Lay, St. Louis, MO
Diana Linsley, Crestwood, MO
Julia López, St. Louis, MO
Gena Loseto***, St. Louis, MO
Christina MacMorran, Troy, IL
Kimber Mallett, Chesterfield, MO
Mary Martin, St. Louis, MO 
Suzanne McCudden, Webster Groves, MO
Merritt, Rock Hill, MO
Lucy Mertz, St. Louis, MO
Dawn Miller, St. Peters, MO

Leslie Miller, Creve Coeur, MO
Andrew Naeger
, Ste. Genevieve, MO

Luisa Otero-Prada, St. Louis, MO
Denise Otterbach, Chesterfield, MO
Sharron Pollack**, St. Louis, MO
Nikita Anais Récamier***, St. Louis, MO
Jane Rieso, Freeburg, IL
Jodi Ruffner, Murphysboro, IL
Paola Scharberg, St. Louis, MO
Annie Scheumbauer, St. Louis, MO 
Douglas Simes, St. Louis, MO 
Brandon Smith, Carmi, IL
Valerie Snyder, Creve Coeur, MO
Leslie Song, St. Louis, MO
Susan Sontag, St. Louis, MO
Kaitlyn Steward, Carbondale, IL
Bobby Storts, Augusta, MO
Andy Van Der Tuin*, Olivette, MO
Nancy Van Ness, Glendale, MO
Joyce Yarbrough, St. Louis, MO
* = Best of Show Award
** = Award of Excellence
*** = Honorable Mention


PARKING RECOMMENDATIONS

There are parking meters on Pine Street and Olive Street & other nearby streets. Parking meters run 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Fines are steep ($20), so don't let your meter expire. You might download the handy Parkmobile app, where you can monitor & pay your parking meter via your smartphone. Parking is at your own expense--we do not validate. The Gallery is easily accessible by public transportation with MetroLink and MetroBus with MetroBus stops on Olive Street and Tucker right near the building.


Some of the 70 featured artworks in In/Of/About Nature:

Honorable Mention: Christine Ilewski, Alton, IL. “Swelter.” 2021. Acrylic on Canvas, 48”x36”. $1,500.Honorable Mention: Christine Ilewski, Alton, IL. “Swelter.” 2021. Acrylic on Canvas, 48”x36”. $1,500. Award of Excellence: Michael Halbert, Fenton, MO. “St. Louis Imagined.” 2022. Linocut Print on Paper, 34”x27”. $600.Award of Excellence: Michael Halbert, Fenton, MO. “St. Louis Imagined.” 2022. Linocut Print on Paper, 34”x27”. $600. Mary Drastal, Chesterfield, MO. “Rocks and Rust.” 2022. Oil on Canvas, 29”x17”. $550.Mary Drastal, Chesterfield, MO. “Rocks and Rust.” 2022. Oil on Canvas, 29”x17”. $550.
Michael Daft, St. Louis, MO. “Sycamore.” 2023. Digital Photograph on Paper, 20”x26”. $250.Michael Daft, St. Louis, MO. “Sycamore.” 2023. Digital Photograph on Paper, 20”x26”. $250. Liz Corrigan, St. Louis, MO. “Breaking Through.” 2023. Watercolor on Paper, 12.5”x16.5”. $140.Liz Corrigan, St. Louis, MO. “Breaking Through.” 2023. Watercolor on Paper, 12.5”x16.5”. $140. Hannah Buchanan, Rockville, IN. “Reflections.” 2022. Oil on Canvas, 18”x24”. NFS.Hannah Buchanan, Rockville, IN. “Reflections.” 2022. Oil on Canvas, 18”x24”. NFS.
Jean Howard, Auxvasse, MO. “Botanicals 1.” 2021. Hand-Dyed and Commercial Cotton Fabric, Batting, Thread, 26”x17.5”. $500.Jean Howard, Auxvasse, MO. “Botanicals 1.” 2021. Hand-Dyed and Commercial Cotton Fabric, Batting, Thread, 26”x17.5”. $500. Lisa Geersten, Murphysboro, IL. “Forest Sanctuary.” 2021. Forged, Fabricated Steel, Wrought Iron, 30”x12”x12”. $5,000.Lisa Geersten, Murphysboro, IL. “Forest Sanctuary.” 2021. Forged, Fabricated Steel, Wrought Iron, 30”x12”x12”. $5,000. Mark Hurd, St. Louis, MO. “Tree of Life #2.” 2023. Digital Art on Archival Paper, 39”x27”. $425.Mark Hurd, St. Louis, MO. “Tree of Life #2.” 2023. Digital Art on Archival Paper, 39”x27”. $425.
Luisa Otero-Prada, St. Louis, MO. “Closer.” 2022. Acrylic on Canvas, 12”x12”. $300.Luisa Otero-Prada, St. Louis, MO. “Closer.” 2022. Acrylic on Canvas, 12”x12”. $300. Austin Kane, Wildwood, MO. “Utah Mountains.” 2023. Oil on Canvas, 9.5”x11.5”. NFS.Austin Kane, Wildwood, MO. “Utah Mountains.” 2023. Oil on Canvas, 9.5”x11.5”. NFS. Leslie Song, St. Louis, MO. “Setting Sun 1.” 2023. Acrylic on Canvas, 12”x12”. $275.Leslie Song, St. Louis, MO. “Setting Sun 1.” 2023. Acrylic on Canvas, 12”x12”. $275.

 HOME OF
 

Art Saint Louis │ 1223 Pine Street │ St. Louis, MO │ 63103 │ p: 314-410-7576 │