Safe Harbors gallery presents timely exhibit on climate change

NEWBURGH — The human species influence on the planet is presently so profound, scientists have coined our period in the Earth's timeline the Anthropocene — the age of humans. It is a crisis of unimaginable consequences and the effect on global ecosystems is arguably one of our greatest collective challenges.
"Anthropocene," at new exhibit at Safe Harbors Ann Street Gallery, 104 Ann St., Newburgh, will explore the impact of the changing climate and its devastating results on our environment, while acknowledging that humans are the dominant force of this global catastrophe and the Earth's current transformation.
Inspired by a variety of ecological disasters, the works featured in the exhibition are the creative response of 24 artists working in variety of disciplines. In visually compelling ways, these artists are utilizing their art as a powerful vehicle to impact the viewer and raise awareness of the wide-ranging issues related to anthropogenic climate change: flooding, tropical storms, droughts, desertification, vanishing species and human pollution.
"Climate change is now a global phenomenon that can no longer be ignored," says the invitation. "Hopefully, within this gallery setting, visitors will take the opportunity to contemplate some of these urgent issues; humanity's collective impact on the planet and to think differently about their own behaviors and relationship to the environment."
The exhibition was curated by Virginia Walsh and will be on view through Saturday, April 7.
A reception to meet the artists will be held on Saturday, Feb. 24, from 6:30 tp 8:30 p.m. This event is free and all are welcome.
Gallery hours are Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and 1:30 4 p.m.; and Friday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Safe Harbors of the Hudson is a large scale, non-profit re-development project in the City of Newburgh with the mission of transforming lives and building community through housing and the arts. The Safe Harbors project includes the Cornerstone Residence, supportive housing for 128 of our neighbors; the Lobby at the Ritz, our performing arts venue; the Ann St. Gallery, our contemporary visual arts venue; Safe Harbors Green, a vital green space in the center of our community and the historic Ritz Theater, which Safe Harbors is committed to restoring into a large scale performance space for the community.
For more information call 784-1146 or visit annstreetgallery.org.