Paradise Lost?

Artists on Climate Change in the Northwoods funded by the Baldwin Wisconsin Idea Endowment and the Wisconsin Arts Board

Project Directors: Dolly Ledin, Center for Biology Education and David Mladenoff, Forestry Ecology and Management

Exhibit Coordinator: Terry Daulton, UW Trout Lake Field Station

Education Program Coordinator: Zach Wilson, North Lakeland Discovery Center, Manitowish Waters

Artistic Advisor: Leslee Nelson, UW Department of Liberal Studies and the Arts

In May of 2006, 20 artists, 7 scientists and 6 educators met to learn about climate change and the potential role of art in increasing public awareness of science. The artists subsequently created pieces including paintings, sculpture, poetry and music reflecting their perceptions of the science of climate change, its impacts on northern ecosystems and the actions that can be taken now to lessen those impacts.

These pieces are being assembled into an exhibit along with related scientific information and visuals. The exhibit will travel to the following locations:

Nicolet Community College, Rhinelander, WI- Feb 16 - March 19 (Opening Reception - Feb. 17)

Gogebic Community College, Ironwood, MI- March 31-April 19 (Reception - March 31)

Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center, Ashland, WI- May 5-July 31 (Reception - May 5)

North Lakeland Disc. Center, Manitowish Waters, WI- August 17-31

Omphale Gallery, Calumet, MI- Sept 15-Oct 20 (Reception- Sept. 15)

Center for the Visual Arts, Wausau, WI- Nov 15 - Dec 28

Olbrich Botanical Gardens, Madison, WI - Jan 12-Feb 8 (Reception - Jan 12)

Bell Museum of Natural History, Minneapolis, MN- Feb 16-April 27

Wild Rose State Fish Hatchery Interpretive Center, Wild Rose, WI- May 15-July 13

Cable Natural History Museum, Cable, WI - July 18th - October 4th

During this tour, educators will visit middle and high schools in each community prior to the exhibit's arrival, involving students in science and art activities focusing on climate change. Students will create artwork to be included with the exhibit in their community. A reception and panel discussion will be held in each community at the opening of the exhibit. Local organizations with an interest in climate change will be invited and encouraged to hold other related events, using the exhibit as a focal point.

There are three broad themes we are working to convey through this exhibit and related educational programs:

Global - An overview of climate, historical and recent changes and impacts of greenhouse gases.
Regional - What is unique about northern ecosystems, which elements are sensitive to climate changes and what changes can be expected.
Actions - Provide an outline of the challenges and also the opportunities to change - how can we reduce our carbon footprint?
We will provide ideas of individual actions people can take, simple changes they can make and illustrate the impact of those changes.

NEW! View an online version of the Paradise Lost catalog. (PDF, 4MB) The catalog features the entire collection of artists and their work, scientific data and is available for purchase at any of the exhibit stops.