Alert & Attuned: Attending To Our Climate Emergency | Gretchen Schuette Art Gallery

Diane Jacobs, *Exposing the Inside: Two Melons*, 2023. Fruit and thread, after Zoe Leonard. Local artist, hand delivered.

Alert & Attuned: Attending to Our Climate Emergency 

Artists: Adie Russell, ai 43368, Amanda Engels, Amey Mathews, Briele Hansen, Bridget Rountree, Cathrine Raben Davison, Coral Woodbury, Dana Suzanne Dirker, Diane Jacobs, Fletcher Boote, Haley Mellin, Jana Harper, Jessica Houston, Katie Roberts, Kiran Chandra, Kirsten Stromberg, Laura Mack, Lisa Knoop, Marcia Teusink, Melissa Morris, Nicola Bailey, Regan Wheat, Sarah McDowell, Tanya Gill, Tereza Swanda, Tracy Grubbs, and Tracie Lee 

Curated by: Amey Mathews, Dana Suzanne Dirker, Laura Mack, and Tereza Swanda

Gretchen Schuette Art Gallery, Chemeketa Community College, Salem, Oregon
February 18 to March 14, 2025

Introduction

This exhibit addresses the urgent need for environmental consciousness and action. Through a range of artistic expressions by 28 artists, Alert & Attuned reflects on the interconnected survival of our planet and its inhabitants. Some works confront the viewer with the stark realities of the climate emergency, while others offer pathways toward healing and encourage a shift in perspective as a way forward. The title, Alert & Attuned, embodies this dual approach of awareness and active engagement.

(top) Dianne Jacobs, *Medusa*, 2022. Digital archive print, after Hannah Wilke. Local artist, printed on site. (bottom) Jana Harper, *Purge*, date unknown. Video, 0:40 loop, after Fluxus. Tennessee artist, digital submission.

It is important to us that this exhibition put into practice an attuned and accountable consideration of both human and non-human beings, the earth, the atmosphere and beyond. One of our artists, Haley Mellin, referred us to Artists Commit, and helped arrange partnership with our mentor, Jessica Gath. Jess introduced us to various approaches to this project and models of measurement and accountability that Artists Commit provides.

We are committed to reducing carbon emissions and reducing waste by means of our supportive and collaborative community. Areas we have focused on in particular are cooperative networks of people who participate in shipping/delivery as couriers whenever possible, who purchase as little as possible, and repurpose used frames and mat holes. To avoid shipping, we have printed digital and photography on site.

“In the spirit of collective perspectives and respect for our ancestors, these artistic expressions are interdependent rather than individualistic,” say the curators. “We have developed this exhibit in partnership with our planet, carefully considering carbon impact factors such as shipping, printing or recreating certain works onsite, and post-exhibit waste reduction. These choices support sustainability while organizing contributions from national and international artists.”

Climate Policies at Chemeketa Community College

Chemeketa Community College recognizes that the long-term protection and preservation of the college is fundamental to a learning and working environment that is healthy, safe, and provides access to education. The college will continuously work to improve the sustainability performance of its operations and instruction. The college recognizes that true sustainability rests on decision-making that considers environmental and economic impacts with an equity lens. Therefore, the college strives to meet the needs of the present generation without compromising the needs of future generations.

Definitions

Environmental: the impact college activities have on natural ecosystems and developed environments.

Economic: the short- and long-term financial health and resiliency of the college.

Equity: a just and inclusive environment in which all individuals receive equitable support to reach their full potential. We promote equity through fair treatment, access, opportunity, and advancement for all, aiming to identify and eliminate barriers that have prevented the full participation of some groups.

Tracie Lee, *Leadlines*, 2024. Digital, archival inkjet print, after Precious Okoyomon. New York artist, printed on site. For detail click here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/18pbIYWcDstS1ubgdR3L6h9Xg93ycDMRk/view?usp=sharing

Carbon Emissions

Travel: Only one of the 28 artists flew in to view the exhibition. This was a domestic flight from California. Otherwise no other domestic flights were taken and there were no international flights to realize the commission.

Local artists installed the exhibition and attended the installation.

Travel Portland to Salem, OR 2x via car.

Energy: Electricity usage includes:
a roku device (from Laura’s home)
a small (14”) TV (purchased for the show but retained for future gallery usage)
a middle-size screen and a large screen (both owned by Chemeketa Media Services)

41 Lights. 6.5 hours a day. 19 days. 952 square feet.

Shipping: In developing the show, we are committed to reducing carbon emissions and reducing waste by means of our supportive and collaborative community. We relied upon cooperative networks of people who participated in shipping/delivery as couriers whenever possible.

Courier spreadsheet screenshot. This was shared with artists to find potential connections.

Even with the work shipped to Massachusetts for a possible exhibition there, we are returning the work in the same way it arrived whenever possible, via courier from the Boston area.

The show was shipped in whole to the east coast in preparation for an east coast version. After a year, it became clear we needed to give up and get work back. Our courier service kicked in again. See the returning art chart.

The following artists shipped work to us. AI&&&&& (Maryland) Amey Mathews (Santa Cruz). Cathrine Raben Davidsen (Denmark). Marcia Teusink (London), and Tanya Gill (Chicago).

The following artists had work shipped back: Cathrine Raben Davidsen (Denmark), Tanya Gill (Chicago), AI&&&&& (now in Portland), Kiran Chandra (somewhere in the States).

Additional Emissions to consider calculating: There were 19 digital artworks/photography printed on site. The 4 instructional pieces printed.

Emissions related to events, especially food
We printed posters.
Live stream/virtual events
Staff commutes
Visitor travel
The printing on site.

Kirstin Stromberg, *Energy Source*, 2022. Found objects, after Arte Povera. Florence, Italy artist, work constructed on site over Facetime with local milk weed and archaic audio video cable.

Waste Report

Supporting People

We are reiterating again the Couriers

The courier aspect encouraged connection, care and togetherness that came into play, creating community. Couriers were aunts, uncles, moms, dads and friends of our team of artists and curators.

Examples:

Daisy Leung and Bruce Alsprung took a train to visit in-laws in Oakland. They met an artist at SFMOMA. When they returned on the train, they brought a portfolio of Tracy Grubbs’ work.
Artist Melissa Morris traveled from Florence to visit friends and family over the holidays. She left 2 canvases in Seattle with a friend. Later, artist Diane Jacobs’ niece, Skye? picked them up during her own Seattle trip from Portland. Then Diane brought the paintings down to Salem from Portland during install.
Mary Ellen Scofield, a Chemeketa employee, visited her Mom and Stepfather in Mill Valley, California. Artist Kirstin Stromberg had already been home in Mill Valley from Florence and had dropped off her prints with the stepfather. Those prints flew home with Mary Ellen.
Artist Tereza Swanda had a conference in DC. While there, she shipped her work to artist Dana Dirker in Maryland. Dana came to Portland in November to visit Mom and Sister. She brought her work and Tereza’s down to Salem to drop it all off.
Artist Adie Russell visited family in Boston and met up with Tereza. Artist Coral Woodbury lives west of Boston and met up with Tereza as well. Tereza brought those works to artist Laura Mack’s mother, Barbara Macdonald who then brought them to Salem on a visit.

In Kind donations:

Video preparation and editing
Printing inks and labor to print over 35 digital images of varying sizes.
Trimming labor: Laura
Design of poster and branding
Web site design and production

Installation view. *Alert & Attuned, Attending to Our Climate Emergency*, February 18-March 14, 2025. Gretchen Schuette Art Gallery, Chemeketa Community College, Salem, Oregon.

Notes on the exhibit

- Gallery Assistant Amadeo Rehbein-Verhoeven

Total visitors was 750, which (until Spring term) was our most well attended show.

Elementary schools toured the show. Writing professor assigned a final project about the show. A group of photography students used the exhibit in their final assignments of the term.

Overall, the impact on the community was one of profound depth and quiet intensity. Visitors returned with an intentionality and focus that the Gretchen Schuette Art Gallery doesn't often receive. The show seemed to bring a sense of reflection, as guests had debates and quiet conversations.

Comparatively speaking, to our other shows, Alert and Attuned had a confrontational nature that encouraged guests to hold contradictory feelings. Climate change is currently a taboo topic in our communities, especially in higher education. By exploring that topic through an art exhibit, Alert and Attuned was received almost as a being itself. Repeat visitors, staying for longer, almost seeming to converse with the show as they attempted to grapple with what they saw.

A writing professor assigned Alert and Attuned as the topic of a final paper, and that class visited the same day as several elementary school tours did as well. Children seemed to intuit how to move through the space and freely--bravely--talk about what it meant and what they liked. Adults seemed to have a harder time with the visual language presented to them.

People didn't ask as many questions as they normally do, but daily there would be one brave guest who wanted to know "what is this show about?". Everyone wanted to know what the show was about. People brought their friends to try and get to know her--the show.

Collective Action

In addition to sharing our Climate Impact Report here, we asked our partners and collaborators about their climate policies, commitments, or priorities. We told the artists about Artists Commit and encouraged them to join. We also shared new practices adopted internally with our artists and our audiences.

Installation shot. *Alert & Attuned, Attending to Our Climate Emergency*, February 18- March 14, 2025. Gretchen Schuette Art Gallery, Chemeketa Community College, Salem, Oregon. (left) Compilation video with 6 works looping. (right) Amanda Engels, *Replacements 1* and *Replacements 2*, 2024. Digital photography of collected items from a 30 minute walk on the beach in Ocean Grove, NJ during the afternoon of July 28, 2024, archival inkjet print, after Documenta 15. Maryland artist, printed on site.

Closing Thoughts: Plan ahead

Should there be another iteration (OR for any exhibit) this is what we have learned.

Last minute installation concerns translate to less consideration and fewer options in decision making around waste and reuse.
Installation supplies are often unforeseen until all is underway and rushed. Plan ahead to limit ANY Amazon purchases and purchase local supplies instead
We suggest designating or making a container in advance to hold and track installation waste materials. It is good to see the accumulation. The bag of waste. It would be helpful to shoot the picture of this to include in the report.
Another effect that impacts climate-conscious decision making is overwhelm. For example, the second iteration of the show was to occur on the east coast, but due to burn out, the Chemeketa curator could not manage a courier system again. The work was shipped in 4 boxes instead of carried through friends and family travel. (With Laura Mack’s framed art brought during a Boston visit later). This is an example of supporting people: ourselves.
The gallery hopes to continue limited use of vinyls by painting signage directly on windows.

Dana Suzanne Dirker, *Look Up*, 2024. Stickers on paper, after On Kawara. Maryland artist, couriered work to Oregon during a previously planned, family trip.

Funding Provided by

The Gretchen Schuette Art Gallery Endowment
The Arts, Humanities and Communications Department, Chemeketa Community College

Many Thanks also to

Lisa Knoop, Knoop Creative

Deanne Beausoleil, Gretchen Schuette Art Gallery Co-Coordinator and Art Faculty, Chemeketa Community College

Kay Bunnenberg Boehmer, Gretchen Schuette Art Gallery Co-Coordinator and Art Faculty, Chemeketa Community College

Amadeo Rehbein-Verhoeven, Gallery Assistant. Chemeketa Community College

Marie Hulett, Executive Director, Institutional Advancement and the Chemeketa Foundation, Chemeketa Community College

Angie Ross, Administrative Assistant, Arts, Humanities and Communications Department, Chemeketa Community College

Jordan DiRosia, Technology Analyst, Center for Academic Innovation, Chemeketa Community College

Sheila Runkle, Copy Center, Chemeketa Community College

Peter Hoelter, Visual Communications Faculty, Chemeketa Community College

Brett Malley, Visual Communications Faculty, Chemeketa Community College

Keith Russell, Dean, Arts, Humanities and Communications Department, Chemeketa Community College

Alexandra Easton, Chemeketa Art Student

Lance Kreisburg, work-study student, Visual Communication Program

Carlee Wright, Head Provocateur, Press Play Media

Thanks to the Art Couriers

Barbara Macdonald
Daisy Leung
Lindsey Rosen
Mary Ellen Scofield
Malcolm Manson
Luna Argueta