It has been forty years since the US Senator Gaylord Nelson founded Earth Day to promote respect for life on the planet.Forty years later with Earth Day Network now in the picture, Earth Day 2010 promises to be the largest Earth Day to date, with over a billion people participating in activities worldwide in thousands of places like Kiev, Ukraine; Caracas, Venezuela; Tuvalu; Manila, Philippines; Togo; Madrid, Spain; London, New York and Grand Bahama.
And what will people be doing this April 22, 2010. Earth Day is usually celebrated with outdoor performances, where individuals or groups perform acts of service to earth, planting trees, picking up roadside trash, conducting recycling and conservation programs, petitioning governments for stronger action to important environmental issues.
In Gabon, Africa, it is said that a talking drum chain will travel from village to village encouraging action for growing environmental
On Grand Bahama we may not see a talking drum traveling about but the Bahamas National Trust is celebrating Earth Day with an invitation to the community to enjoy ART AND NATURE.
From Thursday April 22nd to Saturday April 24th the Grand Bahama Branch of the Bahamas National Trust is celebrating the 40th anniversary of Earth Day.
Thursday April 22nd, the Glory Banks Art Gallery hosts the Grand Bahama Artists Association Earth Day 2010 Exhibition with artworks that pay tribute to Planet Earth. Special guest for Earth Day 2010 is “Environmentally Conscious” artist, Del Foxton who will showcase her contemporary artworks created from her handmade paper that uses local vegetation.
Saturday, April 24th at 10.30 am join BNT administrator, Cecilia Bodie, on a nature walk through winding trails that feature native plants and birding sites. Established in 1992, the Rand Nature Centre comprises 100 acres of natural beauty in the heart of downtown Freeport. Come nurture your soul the Earth Day on the trail of this beautiful oasis located on East Settlers Way just across from the Catholic High School.
Providing social commentary has long been the role of art and artists. So to mark Earth Day’s 40th anniversary, the Rand Nature Centre Art Gallery is featuring artworks from the members of the Grand Bahama Artists Association. These talented members of our community are showcasing an eclectic collection of works in a variety of mediums in appreciation for the inspiration our beautiful Earth provides.
Del Foxton says that her environmentally friendly Artistry in Handmade Paper began as a result of her belief in the saying that if you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem. When Del saw the opportunity to use discards from her surroundings, Artistry in Handmade Paper took flight.
At her hand papermaking studio and gallery she creates handmade paper for her artworks following the same process as that of the Chinese who first made paper in 105 AD. Del travels to meet and study with International Hand Papermakers and Paper artists to expand and refine her artistry. The papermaking process is simple yet complex but she is fortunate that on Grand Bahama to have year round material from local vegetation to make paper that becomes her canvas and painting medium.
Artistry in Handmade Paper is Del’s passion and she is delighted that in her small way she can honour the
environment while indulging her passion Earth Day and every day.
Opening hours at the Rand Nature Centre and the Glory Banks Gallery are Monday to Friday hours of 8. 30 to 4.30 pm and on Saturday April 24th from 10 to 4 pm. To learn more about the GBAA Art Exhibition please call 353 4333 or 727 4333.
