LaFontsee Galleries

With the sweep of a brush or the click of a camera, a moment and place in time is preserved. It is through art that we understand the past and inspire the future, and it is through conservation that the natural areas around us are preserved for future generations to visit and enjoy in perpetuity.   
This year, to&nbsp;celebrate 50 years of conservation in West Michigan, the Land Conservancy&nbsp;is collaborating&nbsp;with&nbsp;local artists&nbsp;to capture the&nbsp;places we have protected together&nbsp;and support continued conservation for the next 50 years and beyond. Join us this fall for&nbsp;Preserved!&nbsp;Capturing&nbsp;West Michigan’s Enduring Places. 
Throughout the year, 15 artists have been visiting and creating art&nbsp;en&nbsp;plein air at Land Conservancy-protected natural lands.&nbsp;On October 2, 2026, their works will be displayed in a gallery exhibition and fundraiser and made available to purchase. Proceeds from artwork sales and donations made at the event will&nbsp;benefit&nbsp;the continued protection of West Michigan's ecologically critical land. 
Join us on Friday, October 2, 2026&nbsp;
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;5:30pm –&nbsp;Friends of Nature&nbsp;Reception &amp;&nbsp;Gallery Access 
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;6:30pm – Presentation&nbsp; 
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;7:00pm –&nbsp;General Admission/Afterparty&nbsp;Gallery Access&nbsp; 
The Preserved!&nbsp;exhibition&nbsp;is an opportunity for&nbsp;artists, nature lovers, and the greater community to celebrate the scenic land that surrounds us in West Michigan, while coming together in&nbsp;community&nbsp;to support land protection&nbsp;into&nbsp;the future.&nbsp; Reserve your ticket and learn more at:&nbsp;https://donate.naturenearby.org/preserved-2026

Local Event: Preserved! 

Kent County

Grand Rapids

Michigan

Preserved! 

With the sweep of a brush or the click of a camera, a moment and place in time is preserved. It is through art that we...

Join us on Saturday, October 3 and experience the beauty of West Michigan by exploring the Preserved! exhibition.
As part of the Land Conservancy of West Michigan’s 50th anniversary, 15 artists have been visiting and creating art en plein air at Land Conservancy-protected natural areas. The art will be displayed at LaFontsee Galleries &amp; Framing on October 2nd and 3rd. The Preserved! exhibition will only be on display for two days, so don’t miss it!
On Saturday, October 3, the gallery will be free to access. Come enjoy the artwork, learn about the Land Conservancy’s conservation work, and hear from local artists, environmentalists, and community builders as they share their expertise, knowledge, and experiences doing nature and community centered work in West Michigan.

<ul><li>11:30am-12:15pm | Preservation through Art</li></ul>
What is it about nature that inspires? What does it mean to preserve something? Hear from Preserved! artists as they share about how gleaning inspiration from nature has encouraged them to get involved in conservation work, their experiences participating in the Preserved! gallery, how nature has shaped their work and personal artistic style, and how capturing a place and a moment in time through art can mirror the work of conservation.
<ul><li>12:30pm-1:15pm | Restoring our Habitats (And How You Can Help)</li></ul>
Join local conservation experts as they share about ongoing stewardship initiatives in West Michigan, including the unique challenges and opportunities when it comes to doing conservation in our state. This panel will share about the work that is already happening in West Michigan and how you can get involved – either with an organization or in your own backyard.
<ul><li>1:30pm-2:15pm | Inspired by Nature</li></ul>
Learn from artists about their experiences creating in West Michigan! Each of these creatives pulls inspiration from nature by working en plein air, doing plein air studies, or simply being a hobby naturalist, and will share about their experiences, their art style and medium, and how they approach making nature-inspired work in West Michigan. Learn about what it means to be inspired, and how that can be practiced in any part of life – not just through art.
<ul><li>2:30pm-3:15pm | Conservation through Community</li></ul>
Conservation work is interconnected, and is stronger when individuals, communities, and organizations work together. People have been building community in West Michigan around nature, conservation, curiosity, and learning for a long time. Learn from these experts about their experiences building community groups and clubs centered around conservation work, the joys and the challenges of working together, what conservation success can look like through collaboration, and how you can get involved.
The Preserved!&nbsp;exhibition&nbsp;is an opportunity for&nbsp;artists, nature lovers, and the greater community to celebrate the scenic land that surrounds us in West Michigan, while coming together in&nbsp;community&nbsp;to support land protection&nbsp;into&nbsp;the future.&nbsp; Saturday's programming is free!&nbsp;Learn more at&nbsp;<a href="https://naturenearby.org/events/preserved-100326/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">naturenearby.org/events/preserved-100326/</a>

Join us on Saturday, October 3 and experience the beauty of West Michigan by exploring the Preserved! exhibition.
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Preserved!

Preserved!