'Environment at Risk' opens July 17 at The Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen

Appalachian Voices is opening a new exhibition “Environment at Risk” at the Gumenick Family Gallery of The Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen on July 17. 

The mixed media exhibit features art from more than 35 contemporary artists inspired by nature. The pieces showcase environmental threats to communities spanning from the James River to Iceland. 

Appalachian Voices field coordinator Jessica Sims started hosting the exhibit six years ago, stemming from her interest in art and passion for environmental justice. She curated “Environment at Risk” to be conversational-art. 

“I’m really excited for people to see it and for it to start conversations,” Sims said. “My hope is that someone comes out of it reflecting themselves on what they see happening in the environment around them, and things that might endanger the people they love.” 

Most of the artists featured in the exhibit are from Virginia, Sims said. One Virginia Commonwealth University student is presenting a piece on the relationship between agriculture and its impact on the environment. Another artist created an abstract piece on Dominion Energy’s proposed gas plant at the Dutch Gap canal in Chesterfield County. 

The opening night will conclude with a reception from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the center. 

Appalachian Voices is a non-profit organization focused on advocating for communities that may be impacted by projects like pipelines, mountaintop removal mining and coal ash. 

“Environment at Risk” is a free and family-friendly exhibition. The art will be on display and open to the public until Sept. 14.