One of the most pressing concerns to many artists is our deteriorating environment. Yet not many environmentalists outside the art world are aware of artists' contributions, both in raising environmental concerns and working on solutions. More and more artists are dealing with environmental topics in their artworks. As with feminist art theory, an underlying theme of these artists is that the personal is the political. As a reaction to life on a polluted planet, many artists exhibit a particular concern with systems and the place of humans within those systems. While some artists focus on documenting or commenting on the destruction of the planet, others are using their creativity to find solutions. Environmentalists in all fields could learn from the strategies of our colleagues in the arts. After all, aesthetics are important to our lives too. In the discouragement and despair that many concerned people experience, artists can help to lift our spirits and inspire us to find creative ways to take action to restore the Earth. Excepts from "Artists and the Environment: A report from the 81st College Art Association Conference in Seattle." Greta de Groat, Electronic Green Journal, WLN Bibliographic Information Services. Lacy, WA, 98503-0888 USA. For more information on artists and the environment, visit http://www.artecology.org/issue17a.html.html Lynda Roberts Director, Artecology
