PRINCETON, N.J. — D&R Greenway Land Trust invites the public to experience nature with new eyes, inspired by its newly opened art exhibition, ”Emergence,” that joins Garden State Watercolor Society exhibit, “Recovery,” next Monday.
David O. Anderson, former President of Princeton Photography Club, and long-time member of the land trust’s Photographers of Preservation, is exhibiting “Emergence,” a new collection of fine art photographs, of nature seen from the viewpoint of children.
The Olivia Rainbow Gallery, named in memory of 5-year-old Olivia Kuenne, has been transformed into a wonder-filled experience, with exploratory words and images that evoke “Emergence,” whose definition is “the process of coming into view after long absence.”
Through Anderson’s lens, visitors of all ages will experience attention-with-wonder brought by boys and girls to the natural world. The land trust joins Anderson in hoping, in own words, that time in this unique exhibit brings everyone to “emergence from adulthood to childhood.”
Anderson’s nature discoveries may be viewed from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Dec. 13 through Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022.
All photographs are for sale, a percentage supporting D&R Greenway’s land preservation and stewardship mission in Central Jersey and along the Delaware Bay.
For the first time, the Olivia Rainbow Gallery is expanded to include an adjacent gallery, providing a feeling of emergence into a bigger space where the viewer is surrounded by nature. Anderson’s images transport the viewer to unexpected beauty — new evidence that that there is indeed a world beyond vaccines and quarantines. From the emergence of first snowdrops in spring to compelling families of fungi, to the mysterious boatman hiding beneath broad green leaves, Anderson’s art celebrates not only the power, but especially the mystery, of nature.
The artist reveals his creative process: “As I considered this request from D&R Greenway Land Trust in 2020 for images of nature from a child’s perspective, I was flooded with childhood memories of family picnics in parks and nature preserves, visits to zoos and to natural history museums, and outdoor camping trips with the Boy Scouts. This state of mind allowed me to view nature from a child’s viewpoint rather than as an adult.”
D&R Greenway also announces replacing Garden State Watercolor Society’s original timed entry requirement with Open Viewing Hours for their “Recovery”: Juried Exhibition and “Delaware River – River of the Year 2020” lobby installation.
The public can view both Monday through Thursday, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The show has been extended through Jan. 7, 2022, at D&R Greenway’s Johnson Education Center, One Preservation Place, off Rosedale Road, Princeton 08540.
In addition to “Recovery,” the juried art exhibit in upstairs galleries, is GSWS’s remarkable lobby installation of original watercolors evoking the importance of water itself and of our Delaware River, in particular. This installation celebrates the naming of the Delaware as “River of the Year 2020” by American Rivers. Their publicity reports 2.9 million miles of rivers lacing the United States. Two out of three Americans get their drinking water from our rivers. This varied array of small masterpieces takes lobby viewers on a continuing trip downriver.
Both exhibits display, in word and in some artist’s statements, experiences of the river and its surroundings as personal sources of recovery for mind, body and spirit.
Throughout the 1900 barn known as The Johnson Education Center, images and written reflections connect strongly with D&R Greenway’s founding mission. Protecting land protects water. Many D&R Greenway preserves include streams, brooks, even rivers. Most of these tributaries flow to the Delaware; some to the Raritan: all to the ocean. Visitors to the exhibit have exclaimed on the peaceful feeling experienced by viewing the exhibit. They have called it “surprising;” “meaningful;” “exciting” and “healing.” The Installation’s small art, all original watercolors, are for sale from $25 to $250, perfect gifts for upcoming holidays.
A special feature is a six-foot tall image in the shape of New Jersey, filled with a black-and-white painting of “Bats Across the Garden State.” Created by a 5th grade class for Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey, it is on loan for this exhibit only. Liz Silvernail, the organization’s Executive Director, describes Conserve Wildlife’s mission as “to preserve rare and at-risk wildlife in New Jersey through field science, habitat restoration, public engagement, and education.” Annually, D&R Greenway has displayed Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey’s “Species on the Edge” in Olivia’s Gallery, with top art and science essays from each county in the State.
Deputy Executive Director of the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC), Kristen Bowman Kavanagh, declared “I had the pleasure of attending the Garden State Watercolor Society’s open house in October. Both the juried exhibit and art installation offer amazing collections celebrating the vital recovery of the Delaware River. Art connects us to the natural world. These paintings and watercolors illustrate that theme beautifully.”
Tess Fields, President of Garden State Watercolor Society asserted, “We were thrilled about networking with DRBC and the NJ Department of Environmental Protection. It was very gratifying to make these connections between art and science and bring both to the public.” 
One official confided to Tess Fields at the open house event that its Lambertville residents were distraught after the severe damage of Hurricane Ida. As a way to get past the negativity of living with the river’s floodwaters, they referred residents to the beauty and wonder of the online exhibit at www.gswcs.org. With an accent on the positive aspects of living next to the river, it provided hope and a sense of balance. The artwork became an uplifting balm to their emotional and spiritual well-being.
Linda Mead, D&R Greenway’s President and CEO, is “excited to share the beauty of both of these exhibits, that remind us of the importance and value of our natural world and the benefits that nature brings to our everyday life.”
Visitors are asked to follow COVID safety precautions, remaining masked inside the 1900 barn. They can visit exhibits at D&R Greenway’s Johnson Education Center, One Preservation Place, (off Rosedale Road), Princeton 08540. Phone: 609-578-7470. All art works are for sale, and 25% of each purchase is a tax-deductible donation to D&R Greenway’s mission to preserve and care for land, a mission that is becoming more and more critical, as open spaces disappear to development in this most densely populated state.
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https://princetonphotoclub.org/david-anderson: Princeton Photography Club is “a diverse group of individuals who share a love for photography and enjoy exploring new ideas in photography and the related arts. Our mission is to help our members become better photographers. We provide opportunities for members and the general public, to further their photography education, share their talents and expertise, and display their work in local galleries.”
The Garden State Watercolor Society was founded in 1969 by Dagmar Tribble, a noted watercolorist. Over its existence, GSWS has been a beacon whose award-winning artists have inspired generations. The nonprofit organization’s goal is to encourage painting in water media and provide educational and exhibition opportunities for artists and residents of NJ, PA, NY or DE. Please visit www.gswcs.com for updates.
About D&R Greenway Land Trust: D&R Greenway Land Trust is an accredited nonprofit that has reached a new milestone of over 21,000 acres of land preserved throughout central New Jersey since 1989. By protecting land in perpetuity and creating public trails, it gives everyone the opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors. The land trust’s preserved farms and community gardens provide local organic food for residents of the region—including those most in need. Through strategic land conservation and stewardship, D&R Greenway combats climate change, protects birds and wildlife, and ensures clean drinking water for future generations. D&R Greenway’s mission is centered on connecting land with people from all walks of life.