Before you read our "Spring Into Action" newsletter issue, we thought it would be fun to learn the story behind the cover...
The Story behind the Cover Piece:
Have you seen our latest newsletter? It takes a lot of eyes, ears, and creativity to get our newsletters out the door. “Spring Into Action” theme features the latest and greatest campaigns we’re working on and how you can SPRING INTO ACTION!
Before you read the issue, we thought it would be fun to learn the story behind the cover. We’re always looking for new talent and artists to highlight. We met Mary Brossman on Instagram and knew she would be the perfect fit to get y’all excited about all the work to come this year.
Mary is an artist and teacher originally from Houston, Texas and has been in the Northwest for the last 13 years. She has been living in White Salmon, Washington in the beautiful Columbia River Gorge for the last decade and currently works at Hood River Valley High School as a 9th Grade Success, Geology & Art Teacher. Additionally, Mary exhibits her bright artwork locally and online. When she is not working or making art, she is foraging, playing roller derby with Gorge Roller Derby, mountain biking or out on the water.
We asked Mary about her work, here’s what she said:
What’s the inspiration for your art?
Living, playing & working in the wild and scenic Columbia River Gorge, I am constantly inspired by my outdoor surroundings and unique students I teach in both Art & Science. I continuously use these inspirations to explore new mediums whether it be prints, gouache paintings on reclaimed materials, stickers, etc. As I wander the wilderness into enchanted forests, along rivers and to beautiful peaks for inspiration, I aim to create bright and shining representations of magical things and places to share with my community.
What’s your connection to the Columbia River?
I live, play, and work near the Columbia River and am constantly inspired with all it has to offer to its community! I often use it as a source for inspiration and often find myself along its waters :)
How does your art relate to activism?
With bright colors and playful scenic renditions of nature, I aim to spark joyful emotions with my audience. I also invite others to try to recognize or want to learn about the depictions of locations, native or local plants, animals and fungi that surround us here in the Columbia River Gorge & celebrate what our land provides us with. Additionally, I hope to continue to build my knowledge of those depictions I base my artwork on and explore the connections those provide us with across cultures.
Anything else you’d like to share with our members?
I look forward to connecting more with those who are advocating for our rivers, native flora/fauna, fungi, etc! I also can't wait to connect with other artists, activists and the community as a way to continue to explore what I can do to help protect and promote the beauty of our Columbia River Gorge and beyond!
Join Columbia Riverkeeper’s team as we spring into action to keep up the tremendous, humbling work of collectively fighting for what we love: clean water, our climate, and our communities.
Read recent examples of visual art and activism working together to inspire change.
