Local fine artist Sara Smith is inspired by the natural world and uses her art to engage people with environmental preservation. Smith recently completed a large 48-inch-by-48-inch painting in participation with students from the Lake Tahoe and Reno areas. The painting, titled “Big Bear Hope,” is on display at Riverside Studios in Truckee. In honor of the student school strike movement calling for climate action, Smith will be donating a portion of the proceeds from the sale of “Big Bear Hope” to the Citizens’ Climate Lobby North Tahoe chapter.
“Big Bear Hope” started as a participation-art event sponsored by Citizens’ Climate Lobby. Under Smith’s guidance, young artists were invited to express their feelings on the issue of climate change by painting words and symbols on the large canvas. A theme of hope emerged and Smith used this to inspire her completion of the painting where a bear and the students’ expressions are incorporated. | saralsmith.com
