Artists
Inspiring Environmental Protection: A Photographer’s Stunning Visual Journey
The Modern Eco-Warriors: A Fundraiser for SeaLegacy
Inspiring Environmental Protection: A Photographer’s Stunning Visual Journey
Artists
CHICAGO — They’re photos from around the world, of the world and its creatures, great and small.
“I want to paint the dream,” said Christina Mittermeier, a conservation photographer. “I want to show what we can aspire to if we do the work on protecting our planet … And protecting nature.”
On top of being a photographer, Mittermeier is also a marine biologist who’s photos she says serve that purpose — To inspire others to protect this planet.
“Our planet is truly magical, we live on this tiny sphere that’s traveling across the universe and its carrying us like a spaceship with everything we need but we don’t know how it works,” Mittermeier said. “And the engine is in nature. We need to protect it.”
She and her partner, Paul Nicklen, have published thousands of images of wildlife and of the people with whom we share this planet.
Many of them have ended up in National Geographic.
Among recent work from the two is a non-profit working to save the seas, named Sea Legacy. Saturday, Sea Legacy hosted an exhibition in Chicago of their work in two separate galleries — One in River North, and the other in Bridgeport.
“I feel an incredible urgency to call attention to protecting nature as our ally in our solution for climate change,” Mittermeier said. “Also, we’re losing so much biodiversity and we’re a little oblivious about it. These things are irreplaceable — Things like coral reefs. So, I just want to make sure that we’re paying attention.”
The exhibition at the Hilton Contemporary Gallery in River North runs through the end of August.
David Yarrow, Marian Hossa and the Chicago Blackhawks greats take over Chicago.
David Yarrow, Marian Hossa and the Chicago Blackhawks greats take over Chicago.
Inspiring Change: SeaLegacy’s Cristina Mittermeier and Paul Nicklen Honored at Brushwood Center’s Smith Nature Symposium Awards Dinner
Artists
On September 30, the Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods hosted its 39th annual Smith Nature Symposium, “Inspiring Change,” at the Greenbelt Cultural Center in North Chicago. Nearly 200 people attended the event to honor the extraordinary leadership of Cristina Mittermeier and Paul Nicklen and their impact on ocean justice and conservation as photographers, marine biologists, and founders of SeaLegacy.
Every year, the Smith Nature Symposium celebrates nature and those who have made a meaningful contribution to the conservation of the natural world. The first award of the night, the Environmental Youth Leadership Award, went to Nalani Hill, a 16-year-old student from Lake Forest Academy nominated by Brushwood Center partner, Cool Learning Experience (CLE).
Later in the night, Mittermeier and Nicklen earned the Distinguished Environmental Leadership Award. The two, who are partners in life and business, work on the front lines of conservation. They started SeaLegacy in 2014, a non-profit to propel ocean conservation through visual storytelling, impact campaigns, and funding projects.
Mittermeier and Nicklen are photographers creating stunning artistry and advocacy for their environment through their work. Evolve, the photography of Mittermeier and Nicklen, is available for viewing at the Brushwood Center Gallery until October 30, 2022.
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“Each year, we honor those making an environmental impact. But also try to bring in award recipients who have an art practice because Brushwood Center focuses on health equity and well-being through accessing nature and the arts,” says Mirja Spooner Haffner, Director of Development at Brushwood Center. “The fact that [Mittermeier and Nicklen] touched upon those two themes is significant for our annual fundraiser.”
The Smith Nature Symposium is Brushwood Center’s largest fundraiser. They raised $140,000 to benefit Brushwood Center’s programs for children, families, professionals, and veterans throughout the community. Of the total funds raised, $53,000 came from the night’s paddle raise, which is double what they received from their last in-person fundraiser three years ago. There was also a match opportunity through a Chicago Community Trust grant for up to $25,000, bringing the in-room total to $78,000.
The evening started with a cocktail reception followed by the dinner procession with entertainment from Seven Springs Drums. The event, led by acclaimed emcees, television journalist Bill Kurtis and producer Donna LaPietra, included a land acknowledgment by Michael Pamonicutt and welcoming remarks from Host Committee Co-Chairs Disha Narang and Amy Heinrich.
Numerous esteemed guests attended the dinner, including Vicky and George Ranney of the Ryerson family, who donated Brushwood Center’s building and the land of Ryerson Woods. Also in attendance were SeaLegacy CEO Jack Lighton and their Board Chair Ryan Kissick. The night also welcomed Arica Hilton and Sven Asmus of Hilton|Asmus Contemporary, who, thanks to the work of Brushwood Center Chair Gail Sturm, partnered with Brushwood to present Evolve.
Out of respect for the vegan honorees who work to support the environment and ocean, all of the food from the night’s dinner were gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan and came from local farms. The local farms included Temple Organics Farm in Old Mill Creek, Illinois, Mick Klug Farm in St. Joseph, Michigan, and Herban Produce Farm in Chicago, Illinois. There was also a strolling dessert buffet with assorted mini cupcakes, cookies, brownies, and a Mexican cinnamon churro station.
The support of generous sponsors made the night possible. Ambassador sponsors included Amy and Rob Heinrich, Michael M. Levin and family, Jean Meilinger, John Schneider, Adele Simmons, A. Gail and William Sturm.
Program sponsors included The Chicago Community Trust, John and Kathleen Schreiber Foundation, Illinois Arts Council Agency, Illinois Humanities, Mid-America Arts Alliance, Oberweiler Foundation and more.
39th Annual Smith Nature Symposium Awards Dinner
David Yarrow and Cindy Crawford