Public Art Installation on Display
The public is invited to view and experience a new, thought-provoking art installation highlighting the impact of climate change in the Great Marsh ecosystem at the Allyn Cox Reservation in Essex, headquarters of Greenbelt, Essex County’s Land Trust. Ms. Susan Quateman, of Wenham, working out of the Ten Pound Studio, Gloucester, produced the interpretative exhibit in collaboration with designer and photographer Leslie Bartlett of Manchester. The project is sponsored by the Great Marsh Coalition (GMC), and is funded in part by an Essex National Heritage Partnership Grant.
Ms. Quateman was inspired to create the installation as a result of attending the 2014 Great Marsh Symposium organized by the GMC, which focused on climate change and presented case studies in local adaptation. The artist, who is an environmental planner was drawn to weave together her passion to protect vulnerable landscapes by painting on silk to illustrate the effects of climate change on the landscape of Essex County.
“The salt marsh areas have always intrigued me and, post Hurricane Sandy, I knew them to be very vulnerable to sea level rise, and invasive species, and that they needed undeveloped space to migrate,” Quateman explained. “As I listened to the presentations, it occurred to me that there is very little public interpretation or education about the enormous need we have to conserve and preserve our salt marshes. I determined I could fill that gap, with both art and photography within a series of beautiful and educational banners placed close to a salt marsh.”
Ms. Quateman’s work reflects her inner vision to the outside world. The four painted silk banners are designed to reach people at an emotional level, illustrating marsh climate change challenges and solutions, striking at the core of the Great Marsh Coalition’s mission. The panels include the problems of invasive species and marsh inundation, as well as solutions of land protection and salt marsh restoration. “Ms. Quateman’s banners serve to raise public consciousness on the issue of climate change within this area of critical environmental concern,” said Ed Becker, Greenbelt’s Executive Director and member of the Great Marsh Coalition. “We hope the works can help inspire and provide perspective on the important challenges that climate change and sea level rise will bring to our region,” Becker continued.
Greenbelt will host the exhibition along the banks of Eben Creek at the spectacular Cox Reservation until September, when it will be moved to the Rough Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary in Rowley, a reservation co-managed by Greenbelt and Mass Audubon. Both reservations are situated prominently on the Great Marsh. The public is welcome to visit the installation at both locations, dawn to dusk, free of charge.