MAY 2025 / Artists for the Earth Exhibition in Islip Bulletin

In honor of Earth Day, the Islip Arts Council hosted the opening reception for its environmental-themed art exhibition, “Artists for the Earth.” From 6 to 8 p.m., visitors were invited to view 38 unique art pieces.

Photos, paintings, drawings, and crafts lined the art gallery’s walls. Beside each piece was a small paragraph stating the artist’s name and some information about their creation.

Exhibit director and gallery manager Katrina Kuan was inspired by her love of nature. Kuan is also passionate about protecting the planet and living a sustainable lifestyle. She hopes the museum will help people realize the importance of caring for the planet.

Artist Isabella Romano was inspired by her love for turtles when she created a sculpture of a sea turtle crafted from loose-leaf paper, tissue paper, glue sticks, and Mod Podge. The turtle’s rounded brown shell features a vibrant aqua patch embedded with fragments resembling ocean debris, conveying the growing threat of pollution. Romano used textured material to create the turtle’s head and green flippers. 

“It showcases that when we clean up the ocean, we’re not just removing debris from the water—we’re also helping to protect what’s inside, sea life,” Romano said.

Artist Ralph Laudona created a detailed painting highlighting the beauty of the green-tailed towhee. The painting showcases the bird’s vibrant green wings and red-orange crown. The green-tailed towhee is perched among dry meadow grasses and a single lavender wildflower, capturing the natural prairie landscape.

Laudona’s painting calls attention to the recent destruction of North America’s prairie grasslands, which has resulted in a more than 40 percent decline in the grassland bird population.

Laudona shared that his love of birds led him to join the Audubon Society, which is currently partnering with local farmers and ranchers to preserve and restore prairie habitats for birds and other wildlife.

Artist Stephanie Geremito displayed two paintings, part of a larger series depicting the apocalypse. The first painting captures a grassy landscape under a bright, shifting sky. Loose brushstrokes and bold colors give the scene an almost dreamlike feel, pulling viewers into the movement of the fields and hills. The second painting is split into two canvases, both featuring a water tower rising above a tangled landscape. Loose brushstrokes and bold lines create motion, depicting the wind blowing.

Geremito’s apocalyptic landscapes were inspired by recurring dreams, fueling her interest in a post-apocalyptic world and science fiction.

“When I was younger, I used to have this recurring dream where I was walking down a service room, and suddenly there would be raid sirens,” she said. “I wasn’t old enough to have experienced the Cold War, but I’d have these wild Cold War dreams. In the dream, I’m an adult, holding the hand of a child, walking down the bike route.”

She shares that the events leading up to what her paintings depict are open to interpretation, but can also be viewed as a cautionary tale.

“Our species isn’t going to be around forever. Let’s face it—we’re kind of messing it up,” Geremito said. “To be honest, who knows when the time will come, but there’s going to be some sort of ending. This is the world that comes after us.”

The “Artists for the Earth” exhibition can be viewed at the Islip Arts Council Gallery through May 9.