{"id":4009,"date":"2026-08-13T19:24:13","date_gmt":"2026-08-14T02:24:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theartscenter.net\/?p=4009"},"modified":"2026-08-14T15:27:53","modified_gmt":"2026-08-14T22:27:53","slug":"66-birds-3-degrees-return-to-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theartscenter.net\/66-birds-3-degrees-return-to-life\/","title":{"rendered":"66 Birds\/3 Degrees | Return to Life"},"content":{"rendered":"
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66 Birds\/3 Degrees | Return to Life<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Natalie Niblack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Main Gallery<\/p>\n\n\n\n

September 17 – November 7, 2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reception: September 17, 5:30 – 7:30 PM – Meet the Artist and hear from her collaborators Holly Hughes<\/a>, Kathleen Dean Moore<\/a>, Sarah Bassingthwaighte<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unlocking Art Sessions: Tuesday, September 29, Tuesday, October 27, Saturday, November 7 at 1 PM<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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About the Exhibition<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Visit Natalie Niblack\u2019s 66 Birds\/3 Degrees<\/em> and Return to Life<\/em>, and you will be confronted with the direct gaze of birds struggling to survive. As you view each painting, you are invited to step forward and listen to the bird\u2019s song. As their cacophony fills the gallery, you can\u2019t help but consider your connection to the natural world, and the agency you have to help heal it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both projects should be viewed not as a statement of what will be, but as an informed warning of what is at risk. The paintings are meant to inspire action and involvement with the recovery of\u00a0 all creatures affected by climate change. Although the exhibit is about the current and future risks to birds, it is representative of all nature at risk, and the \u201cmorning chorus\u201d bird recordings contrast with the silent void of a world without nature\u2019s music.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

66 Birds\/3 Degrees<\/em> features Pacific Northwest birds that are at risk if global warming is not mitigated. Inspired by a National Audubon Society study assessing the impact on North American bird species if the climate warms 3 degrees. With the help of Dr. John Bower, a diverse set of at risk birds were chosen, with species representing forest, grassland, montane, freshwater, and marine habitats. Chosen were well-known and common species, as the intention of the project is to make an impact on the viewer through what is familiar, known, and possibly deeply felt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Return to Life<\/em> depicts birds pushed to near extinction due to human activity, yet subsequently begin to recover population growth. Their recovery often highlights the immense effort scientists, environmental organizations, governments, and even hunters have put into helping birds regain populations, not to mention the resiliency of the birds themselves. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the Reception<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Using poetry, essay, music, and painting, four Pacific Northwest artists, Natalie Niblack, Holly Hughes<\/a>, Kathleen Dean Moore<\/a> and Sarah Bassingthwaighte<\/a>, present work that bears powerful witness to the consequences of climate change. These artists are uniquely positioned to connect the facts of climate change with the feelings that inspire people to take action. Their goal is to transform scientific understanding into words, music, and art that make these facts deeply real, visceral and relatable. The evening will combine visual art and birdsong, choral music and poems inspired by birds, both living and extinct, and moving essays accompanied by music bearing witness for all species threatened by climate change. You will be transported to Svalbard, listen to the London Symphony, hear tales of loss and redemption, and be inspired to take action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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