Art Walk returns with emphasis on climate change

MIDDLETOWN — The Climate Action Art Walk, a weeklong art exhibition throughout downtown, will kick off this evening with a painting session and reception at MAC 650 Gallery, 650 Main St.

Several environmentally and communityminded organizations hope to raise awareness as federal environmental regulations and action continue to crumble, according to a press release.

The event is a collaboration between Middletown Art Walk, Chispa CT, the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters, North End Action Team, Middletown Green Community Center, Rockfall Foundation and MAC 650.

Registration is open for three sessions: a Climate PaintNSip tonight from 5 to 8 p.m. (supplies, guidance and refreshments will be provided), an Oct. 12 screening of the film, “Kilowatt Ours,” which explores forms of clean energy and ways to conserve electricity; and a “Mingle & Champingle,” Oct. 13, which will feature a live climate art demonstration, music, climate poetry, champagne and refreshments.

The city will host the Climate Action Art Walk through Oct. 13, featuring artists from across Connecticut who submitted their pieces for display at locations throughout Middletown.

This community collaboration involves local artwork throughout Middletown businesses, encouraging foot traffic downtown while raising awareness about climate change and environmental threats.

“It’s crucial that Connecticut rise up and take a leadership role in combating climate change,” Chispa Director Leticia Colón de Mejias said in a prepared statement.

“Our communities face skyhigh utility bills, poor air quality and tremendous inequality. Our climate crisis makes all of these threats even worse. Though our lawmakers stepped up in the last session to invest in clean energy, reduce our use of singleuse products, and invest in electric transportation, there is so much more that needs to be done to achieve true climate justice,” she said in the release.

“We hope the Climate Action Art Walk will inspire local artists and all who see their pieces about the need to fight climate change before it does even greater damage to our most vulnerable communities,” Colón de Mejias added.

Artists were encouraged to submit up to three pieces that highlight the impacts of pollution and climate change on local communities, the state, nation and world, according to organizers.

For information, visit Conservation Educ a tion.org/ArtWalk.html.

Jake Dolata / Contributed photo Visitors at last year’s Climate Action Art Walk at MAC650 on Main Street in Middletown.