DeKalb County works to connect community and conservation…………
Art in Agriculture: Conservation as Art
Early in 2011 the staff and members of the DeKalb SWCD board attended the Indiana Association of Soil and Water Conservation’s Annual Meeting. There they experienced National Geographic Photojournalist Jim Richardson give his presentation Soil: the future beneath our feet; never has the message of soil conservation been told so beautifully and with so few words. On the trip home they begin to contemplate how they could bring this message to DeKalb County.
To do this proved to be no easy task. Grants and great ideas fell short and options seemed limited. However, the DeKalb SWCD believes in partnerships. With this in mind we begin to think outside the box: conservation……..photos of conservation……..photography as art……….and the District found a potential partner in the Auburn Arts Commission. The District pitched its idea to the Arts Commission; they responded with an enthusiastic - Yes! This unlikely partnership than began planning how to connect art and conservation.
Events planned included: a photo contest with the subject of conservation; a gallery exhibit of Jim Richardson’s photography; two lectures to be presented by Mr. Richardson; workshops for children held in conjunction with the 4 local libraries all focusing around the theme Art in Agriculture: Conservation as Art. This ambitious agenda would require substantial resources to complete. Combining our limited funds, our skill of building partnerships, and our skill of grant writing the planning group began promote the project.
We were not disappointed by our efforts. DeKalb Health, the local hospital, partnered to host the photo exhibits, photo contest reception, and the meet the Artist reception. They would provide space, security, and housekeeping for the two month run of the exhibits. Local industry Metal Technologies was first to sign on with a significant cash contribution. Agri-business retailer The Andersons soon followed. With this initial support the planning group moved forward.
As the project progressed, grant funds were received from the Dekko Foundation and The Community Foundation of DeKalb County. Additionally, many, many individuals and small business owners contributed to the project. Through a unique partnership and support from the community Art in Agriculture: Conservation as Art became a reality.
Was the project a success? Had we connected art, conservation, and community? We didn’t have large crowds like we had expected. Yet, the comments on the exhibit registry praised the project. Staff at DeKalb Health shared with us over and over again how much the steady stream of clients and staff appreciated the gallery exhibit. Those in attendance at Jim Richardson’s presentations were awed by his skill, photos, and conservation message. Conservation was front page news in the local paper. In the end “A constant quiet presence in the community” is how the planning group described the project.
But isn’t that is the way of good art? Good conservation? It is a quiet presence that you notice when it’s not there? Yes, this project was a success.