In 2013, Woodstock artist and art educator Michael McEwing reached out to the Nature Trust with a unique idea: to promote conservation through art. He had been inspired by a series of music videos that were filmed on some of the Nature Trust preserves and wanted to challenge himself to discover what made each conserved space special.
Michael went on to visit 33 Nature Trust preserves over four years, with the help of staff, stewards, board members, and volunteers, to create “Conservation on Canvas”, a series of paintings that were inspired by his adventures and experiences.
This series went on to be exhibited thanks to the partnership with the New Brunswick Museum and the financial support of McCain Foods Canada, Alcool NB Liquor, TD, and Stewart McKelvey. In October 2017, the exhibition opened to much acclaim and remained there until January 2018 before taking off on a province wide tour, which included stops in Grand Manan, St. Andrews, Florenceville-Bristol, before making its final stop at the Government House in Fredericton in November 2018.
Michael has also become an excellent ambassador for the Nature Trust and conservation in the province, as he has spoken about the project at many events, including the Dooryard Arts Festival and Paint the Hartland. He has also led conservation-themed art workshops for school groups and at Nature Trust events such as the grand opening celebration for Green Island Nature Preserve in Florenceville-Bristol, an Art in Nature event in celebration of Conservation on Canvas at Saint Rests Marsh F. Gordon Carvell Nature Preserve.
As of October 2018, Michael joined the Nature Trust as a director on the Board of Directors. Thank you to Michael for his significant contribution to conservation in New Brunswick.
If you are interested in learning more about how to merge conservation awareness with art, contact our Chief Executive Officer,
Stephanie Merrill below or by calling (506) 457-2398.