Mural
Description of Mural
From early spring to fall of 2021, Greenstitch designed and painted a mural. Greenstitch created this mural to engage the community around the climate crisis. As we embarked on the process, honoring Connie Smith Siegel, who was an acclaimed artist and environmental activist in the San Geronimo Valley, became an important element of the mural. Lead Artist Anna Jensen distilled the group’s desire to create a thought provoking image about our current climate situation into a concise and powerful art piece. She honored Connie through the painting style used in the hills, as well as the Mother Earth section which exemplifies Connie’s passion for protecting the planet.
The mural “reads” from left to right. The left side depicts the fossil fuel driven industrialization that has brought us to this point of climate chaos. On the right the earth is crying and empowering people to grow and take action. In between, Connie Smith Siegel as mother earth holds the end of a patchwork quilt of images inspired by the Thrive Agenda.
The Thrive Agenda addresses the goals of the Green New Deal and presents what is needed to address the social, economic, and environmental components of the Climate Crisis.
Description of Individual Patches
Job transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy: We need to have a just plan for this transition that doesn’t further ruin peoples’ lives in the process, or instigate controversy about such a key component of our climate response. By Julia Ng-Heth.
Following Indigenous Knowledge: Consulting with Coastal Miwok Tribal Counsel member Jason Deschler, we decided to include Kichen (Mugwort in English), an important sacred plant to the Coastal Miwok. Indigeneous people around the world have knowledge collected from thousands of years of how to live sustainably and honor life. We can all benefit from following their lead in addressing the climate crisis. By Cory vanGelder.
Care work is climate work: We need to shift from our current profit driven economy to an economy that supports healthcare and jobs that provide care for people, and divests money from industries that exploit and pollute the earth. By Sam Podoll.
Addressing climate chaos: Wildfires are raging hotter, storms are surging in intensity, winters are becoming colder, droughts more extreme, and waters are rising. We must face climate change in order to protect the environments and ecosystems that we depend on in daily life. In addressing these issues we must take care of underserved communities who are more impacted. By Ben de Andrade.
Water is life: Our planet is 71% ocean and life cannot exist without water. Our freshwater and oceans are severely threatened by climate change. Water must be a major part of addressing climate change and implementing solutions.
Empower black and brown communities: Frontline communities are already experiencing the highest rates of negative health impacts from fossil fuel pollution and climate chaos. We need to follow the leadership of those most directly affected, listen to their needs and direct resources to address the issues they are facing. By Willow Thelin.
Everything is Connected: The continuation of activism and connection of art is what we need to create a more cohesive and understanding community. This starts with treating the people we live with and the land we live on with dignity and respect. By Buddy Faure.
