The Green Art Project

For residents of California’s Central Valley, the well-being of the natural environment has a direct bearing on their professional and personal lives.


The Valley’s largely agricultural economy relies on an adequate fresh water supply. Substandard air quality threatens Valley dwellers’ respiratory health. Far from isolated, sustainability issues such as these reach beyond the region; for example, as a breadbasket for the nation and world, the success of the Central Valley's agricultural production impacts tables home and abroad.


More than just scientific and political, discussions related to sustainability—particularly those involving consumption—include culture. Contemporary society defines an individual’s lifestyle not only by his or her role in production (i.e., occupation) but also patterns of consumption: which goods and services a person purchases, how much and how often someone purchases them, etc. These individual choices create and reflect trends, and consumer trends in turn have a large bearing on the relationship between humans and the natural environment.


The Green Art Project brings renowned artists to the Central Valley whose works explore the theme of environmental sustainability.  Arte Américas, the Center for Creativity and the Arts at California State University, Fresno, and the Fresno Art Museum collaborate to offer an alluring series of coordinated exhibits and activities that promises to awe and inspire examination and reflection of our regional natural environment.


Funding for The Green Art Project is provided by the Central Valley Foundation’s McClatchy Fresno Arts Endowment.