This Friday, August 2nd, the Peter White Public Library and the U.P. Land Conservancy are teaming up to present "Eyes of the Earth: Witnessing and Responding to Nature." This collaborative event invites the community to engage in place-tending and art-making in the serene natural setting of Chocolay Bayou. The creative works produced during the event will be compiled into a book, available at the U.P. Land Conservancy Art Walk in September.
Will Sharp, the Land and Community Steward at the Upper Peninsula Land Conservancy, shared how his journey from Ohio to the Upper Peninsula inspired him to create this event. "I was really developing this practice of connection, connecting to nature here and the natural landscape," Will explained. His background in environmental science and passion for photography led him to explore the concept of place-tending, a practice of nurturing and witnessing the land.
Chocolay Bayou, the chosen location for the event, holds historical and ecological significance. Will described it as a confluence of trails, wildlife, and history, including its ties to indigenous treaties. Its diverse environment, including wetlands that flow into Lake Superior, makes it an ideal setting for nature-inspired creativity.
Martin Achatz, the Adult Programming Coordinator at Peter White Public Library, discussed the library's involvement in the event. "This was just the perfect thing to collaborate with Will on," Marty said. Attendees, whether seasoned artists or beginners, will have access to cameras, notebooks, and other tools to capture their reflections and creativity.
Kurt Hauswirth spoke with Marty and Will about the event:
"Eyes of the Earth: Witnessing and Responding to Nearby Nature" takes place this Friday, August 2nd, from 2 to 3:30 PM at the Chocolay Bayou Nature Preserve. Participants can meet at the entrance near the Lake Superior Smokehouse, with additional parking available at the Michigan Welcome Center. For more information, visit the Peter White Public Library Facebook event page or the U.P. Land Conservancy website.
In case of rain, the event will be postponed to Saturday, August 3rd, from 2 to 3:30 PM.
