Join us for an inspiring talk on the intersection of climate justice and art. Miriam Czarski, an environmental lawyer and artist, will showcase her vibrant gouache and watercolour paintings that convey hope for a sustainable future. Rae Landriau, a physical geography graduate and founder of the Create Change Collective, uses artistic mediums to engage individuals in climate action. Rae’s work focuses on legacy drilling waste sites in the Arctic and making environmental education accessible. Discover how Miriam and Rae use their unique backgrounds and artistic talents to advocate for climate justice and inspire action.

Rae Landriau is a recent graduate of Carleton University with a MSc. in physical geography. Their research is on legacy drilling waste sites in the western Canadian Arctic. Their project is in collaboration with the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, Inuvialuit Land Administration and NSERC PermafrostNet. Passionate about sharing their love for science and nature, Rae founded the Create Change Collective, a community-based organization dedicated to making environmental education more accessible. Through artistic mediums, they engage individuals in climate action. Rae has authored two books, “Running Water” (2022) and “Colouring for Conservation” (2024), distributing over 500 physical and 2000 electronic copies free of charge across Canada ensuring low-barrier accessibility to resources.

Miriam Czarski an environmental lawyer and visiting PhD researcher with the Department of Legal Studies at Carleton University, where her work examines the interplay between a holistic, ecological understanding of nature and ocean governance. In her free time, she is also an artist. At her core she believes in the power of art to heal our planet. The work she is exhibiting at the Art for Climate Showcase on October 5 is the beginning of her inner reconciliation of these two identities. The gouache and watercolour paintings represent an ecosystem as it evolves in a rapidly changing planet: but the colours are vibrant and the shapes are fluid because our generation needs a hopeful future.

Actions

  • Community building
  • Art as inspiration
  • Explore your blocks in creativity
  • Go play in the park
  • Make art > it does not need to be perfect
  • Connect with those around you and make art together > art should not be isolating

Resource List

Rae’s Colouring Links:

Non-Fiction Books:

  • Pleasure Activism: The Politics of Feeling Good, Adrienne Maree Brown
  • Beholden: A Poem as Long as the River, Fred Wah and Rita Wong

Other Sources:

Conferences: