stonequarryhillartpark wiki / Artist in Residence

“Two Rivers-Two Lands: An American Passage” is Wilson’s series that focuses on the nation’s river systems and what they can tell us about the environment and ourselves. ‘Two-Rivers’ represents sixteen years of a national theme: Dramatic art through lens and brush emphasizing Wilson’s respect for lakes, rivers and oceans. He believes that the fine arts can make a difference for young and old alike in order to foster a good earth for the present and future. Wilson’s work has featured some of the nation’s most inspiring waterways, watersheds and tributaries. Wilson’s art and quest have taken him to areas of the Mississippi River, Colorado and the Florida Everglades.

Wilson has devoted much of his environmental and artistic efforts to honoring and saving the Florida Everglades. “People didn’t understand the beauty of the Everglades. They wanted to know why we wanted to save a swamp. The environment in the Everglades is very soft, subtle and fragile, like an orchid in a very delicate state of being.” Wilson said his and other artists’ photography helped the public see the beauty of the Everglades area. “I want to teach the youth not to be passive about things like oil drilling next to their rivers and to actually voice their opinions. That is how the Everglades were saved – if people hadn’t come together, there would be an airport in the middle of the Everglades.” Wilson went on to say “It was our work with the lens that helped people understand the Everglades, and that brought about political change.”

Before coming to the Stone Quarry Hill Art Park Wilson worked in the Hudson River Valley, inspired by the nineteenth-century plein air painters. The plein-air painters brought forth the nation’s first major art and conservation movements that recognized the natural beauty of our country’s landscapes and waterways. Wilson pays tribute to these artists in his explorations of our local waterways.

Wilson’s work will be on view and for sale throughout the month of April in the Hilltop House from 12pm – 4pm daily. All work sold will assist Wilson to further his exploration of Cazenovia and surrounding area’s waterways to capture their beauty. Opening reception will be April 5 from 1pm – 5pm, with an artist talk and demonstration at 2pm.

Syracuse New Times Article Cazenovia Republican Article