Constellations for Forests - is a collaborative exhibition with Artist Megan Dyer and Friends of Buttonhook Forest.
Join us for an afternoon of art, discovery and inspiration!
Organized to draw attention to preserving Native American Sacred Spaces and Forests, in particular Buttonhook Forest in Chappaqua threatened with destruction by plans for development.
- ON SITE PARKING IS NOW FULL -
If you still wish to register and attend, please text (914) 588-2230 for instructions.
- Guided walking tours of recently discovered Native American ceremonial stone landscapes.
Tours leave at 1:45 pm from barn near parking area and 2:45 pm from the forest exhibition - Spend time with works by Megan Dyer in the forest and hear from the artist about her inspiration and deep connection to the natural world. Dyer aligned her passion for nature, conservation, climate, and the sacred feminine using circles which reference eggs, tree rings, planets, seeds and water forms. Paintings made with salvaged wood the width of trees, Dyer's work emphasizes the importance of each and every tree in the forest. Artist talk in forest at 2:30 pm and 3:00 pm
- Wine + Cheese/Warm Refreshments to follow
- Dress for the weather - event is outdoors!
- Registration Required/Limited Capacity - no fee to attend
[Access address and information provided after registration] - Sorry, no dogs allowed in Forest Sacred Site
Two types of tickets -
1. Car Driver requiring parking and 2. Car Passenger or someone arriving by train
Train information: MetroNorth Harlem Line - Station: Chappaqua
See Tickets Tab
Artwork
Our ancestors considered forests holy, conducted sacred events in the forests and saw forests as our shared, spiritual homes. Drawing from Agnes Martin's iconic painting, THE TREE (1964), Dyer uses abstraction and a similarly limited pallet to represent nature, in this case an entire forest slated to be demolished with circles as primarly geometric form.
Dyer's work locates connecting points between humanity and our planet, seeking to make visual the commonality, alignment, and connection that exists. These points exist, and to make them visual is the job of artists.
Megan Dyer is an artist and activist who grew up with her uncle, acclaimed scientists Ivor Cornman, one of the founders of the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, MA. Together they wandered forests in Massachusetts intent on preserving them from "development". The possible destruction of Buttonhook Forest inspired Dyer to join in the effort to save the forest by creating an exhibition with paintings literally hanging in the trees in the larger Buttonhook Forest.
About the Artist
Megan Dyer is an interdisciplinary artist, musician, and climate activist based in New York. Dyer holds an MFA from Hunter College and a BA from Hampshire College. Her remarkable career is marked by captivating solo shows, notable academic achievements and insightful publications. Dyer's work has been shaped by her powerful experiences and unwavering commitment to self-expression, environmental causes, exploration of diverse mediums, and the belief that connection to oneself, each other, and the planet leads to an enlightened, compassionate humanity. A prolific thinker and global citizen, Dyer believes that in order for humanity to truly coalesce, there must be authentic and ongoing conversation with deference to people's varied spiritual and political beliefs.
Dyer's first solo show entitled "Everything is Everything" debuted in 1997 in Brooklyn, NY. This transformative experience set the stage for her future artistic endeavors. In 2000, Dyer showed at the Times Square Gallery with the solo show "Macro-Micro," which captivated audiences with its intricate exploration of scale and perspective. Dyer's artistic pursuits, even early on, were resonant of a profound dedication to climate activism.
Dyer's solo exhibition "Transformation" at Gallery A Minor in Oslo, Norway in 2006, reflected her deep connection to nature and her fervent desire to raise awareness about ecological issues. Through her artwork, Megan aimed to evoke a sense of urgency and to promote sustainable practices.
While Dyer's solo exhibitions have been instrumental in shaping her artistic identity, she has also participated in select group shows, showcasing her talent alongside other renowned artists. Notably, Dyer's involvement in the exhibition "Unframed First Look: A Salon for Painters" at Lehmann Maupin Gallery in New York curated by Ross Bleckner, garnered attention and admiration from the art community.
Throughout her career, Megan Dyer's artistic prowess and thought-provoking concepts have been featured in numerous publications. Her work has been recognized in esteemed platforms such as "AM New York: The Villager," which highlighted her participation in an exhibit with a scientific approach to portrait art. Additionally, publications like "Hyperallergic" and "New York Times" have delved into her artistry, offering insights into her creative process and the significance of her work.
Megan Dyer's artistic journey has been marked by a relentless pursuit of self-expression, a dedication to environmental activism and a drive to push the boundaries of her art via the genre of portraiture. Through her solo shows, education background, impactful publications, and participation in group exhibitions, Dyer has created a distinctive place with the art world, inspiring audiences with her artwork and prolific concepts. Megan Dyer's contributions to both the artistic realm and environmental advocacy continue to resonate, making her a trailblazer in the intersection of art and activism.
Friends of Buttonhook Forest is excited to collaborate with Megan Dyer on this exhibition bringing her art into the forest to highlight the time sensitive opportunity to work to preserve this land for future generations. To learn more about the effort to save this forest, visit our website www.savebuttonhook.org