2017 Art of Sustainability
Greening Vermillion hosted the 6th annual Art of Sustainability on October 21-22, 2017. This year, the Art of Sustainability celebrated our very own National Park—the magnificent Missouri National Recreational River—by way of the arts. Greening Vermilion also honored the life of Nancy Carlsen, a long-time Vermillion resident and environmental activist who worked to help others appreciate the Missouri River and area history.
Greening Vermillion invited the public, including kids and families, to hike the new Frost Trail all the way to the Missouri River and sandbars. Some hikers took time to paint, sketch, take photos, or write about the beauty all around them. Naturalists and artists talked about the area’s natural history.
The following day, at the Washington Street Arts Center, included a slideshow of art from the hike (and before), a delicious potluck, mellow music from Humbletown, talks about the river, fun art activities for the kids, and a raffle.
We Hiked a New Missouri River Trail, the Frost Trail Saturday, Oct. 21
We met at the Frost Trail trailhead, just north of the intersection of Dakota Street and Hwy 19, several miles this side of the Newcastle-Vermillion Bridge and walked to the Missouri River, side by side artists, scientists, and other folks.
The children on the hike painted the river and others took photos and shared them with GreeningVermillion.org. See them here:
We enjoyed a Potluck and River Art, Sunday, Oct. 22
We gathered at the Washington Street Arts Center in Vermillion, with Tom Sorensen as the emcee. A slideshow of art and photos from the hike--or previously created Missouri River artwork. Scientist Alan Wittmuss, green infrastructure educator Susan Port, and activist Kelly Kistner of the Izaak Walton League of America talked about protecting the Missouri, followed by a Q&A session. Artist Amber Hansen led an art & storytelling workshop about Missouri River experiences. We enjoyed a potluck, good conversation, music by Humbletown, all sorts of beverages—and a raffle to honor Nancy Carlsen.
Sponsors included: Friends of MNRR • Greening Vermillion • Izaak Walton League of America • Missouri National Recreational River (MNRR) • Missouri River Institute • Living River Group of the Sierra Club • USD Departments of Art, Biology, Native American Studies, & Psychology • USD Center for Diversity & Community • USD Native American Student Services • USD Office of Diversity • USD Sustainability Program • USD SUST Club • Vermillion Area Arts Council • Vermillion Area Chamber and Development Company • Vermillion Area Farmers Market
