Art For Nature’s Sake

As a collective vision emerged in the spring of 2006, a collaboration was born between artist Bonnita Budysz and the Lakeshore Natural Resource Partnership to design beautiful calendars depicting special waterways and landscapes needing protection and preservation, to bring awareness to these important and threatened places in the Lakeshore Basin.  The Water’s Edge Artists (WEA) use monthly paint-outs in “plein air” (in nature) to increase local participation on river restoration efforts and further develop a stewardship ethic, bridging art and science through this shared goal.

This group of talented painters share their creative passions and split proceeds from painting sales with LNRP to help carry out their water resource projects. The WEA group was inspired by Bonnita’s association with the Oak Group from California, artists who work together to protect and save coastal lands. With our precious land and water resources in Northeastern Wisconsin’s Niagara Escarpment needing attention and care, WEA’s generosity is helping us make a difference in our own backyards and communities.

From left, WEA artists Jason Prigge and Bonnita Budysz paint “en plein air”. Painting at top by Sandra Murzyn.

The Water’s Edge Artists Mission Statement: “The Water’s Edge Artists is an alliance of plein air artists dedicated to the conservation and protection of water resources in the Lakeshore Basin of northeastern Wisconsin. Through collaboration with the Lakeshore Natural Resource partnership, our efforts reflect the shared passion for preserving the local fragile environments of our watersheds."