Thank You, SCAPE
We are thrilled to announce that Explore Ecology has received a generous donation of $4,116 from SCAPE (Southern California Artists Painting for the Environment). A portion of the proceeds from their recent art exhibit, Central Coast Reflections, directly benefited Explore Ecology’s environmental education programming.
SCAPE Board President Kathy McGill, Morgan Coffey, Lindsay Johnson, and Jill Cloutier of Explore Ecology
Held on September 13th and 14th at the beautiful Music Academy of the West, the two-day event featured stunning artwork inspired by the natural beauty of the Central Coast. Local artists and art enthusiasts gathered together to celebrate creativity and environmental stewardship.
Juried by Tom Henderson- a well-known figure in the Santa Barbara art community and a member of the Oak Group, Central Coast Reflections also featured a special awards ceremony and a live painting demonstration by renowned artist Kevin Gleason.
We are proud to congratulate the 2024 award winners, who included:
1st Prize “Lake Los Carneros” by Rebecca August
2nd Prize “At Naples” by Michele Molony
3rd Prize “Poles Campus Point” by Matt Lancaster
Beneficiary’s Choice “Hendry’s Beach” by Kerri Hedden
People’s Choice “Refuge in Gray” by Kathy McGill
Juror’s Choice “Devereux Slough” by Nina Warner
We are deeply grateful to SCAPE for their continued partnership and support. A huge thank you to all the talented artists, dedicated volunteers, and enthusiastic attendees who made this year’s show a resounding success!
Learn more about SCAPE and become a member at their website.
Josh was born and raised in Santa Barbara, where his passion and curiosity for the environment began and has continued to grow. During his undergraduate studies, Josh pursued this interest at the University of California at Santa Cruz, receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Studies.
Melissa Dodos developed her passion for creative reuse as a mother of four and elementary educator over the past 25 years. She loves to inspire creativity by connecting people with resources and ideas.
Veronica grew up in San Diego and spent four years in San Luis Obispo studying Animal Science at Cal Poly. As an undergrad she learned lots about livestock, agriculture, and wildlife.
Stephanie began her journey as an educator over twenty years ago working as a preschool teacher in Washington state for a cooperative preschool program affiliated with Whatcom Community College. She loved observing the wonder and curiosity of the children and bringing them out into nature to explore the natural world. She continued her love for learning and got her teaching license and then her Montessori certification and worked as an elementary teacher in Tribal, Public, and Montessori schools. She collaborated to create a school garden and her students loved it so much that it became a special place where they could garden, read, explore, play, and it provided a safe sanctuary for students to calm down and reset when they were having difficult moments.
Morgan’s mermaid soul is always seeking adventure—swimming a relay across the Santa Barbara Channel and taking the first photo of a newborn orca off Anacapa Island being standout experiences close to home.
Lindsay Johnson
