“CRESTED PENGUIN”: This painting by Moss Freedman is among the works featured in “Space to Dream: Nature and Creative Freedom,” on view through May 27 at D&R Greenway Land Trust’s Marie L. Matthews Art Galleries in the Johnson Education Center, 1 Preservation Place.

D&R Greenway Land Trust’s latest exhibition “Space to Dream: Nature and Creative Freedom” showcases the relationship between open spaces and artistic expression with three themed galleries: On the Water; Within the City; and In the Wild. The artwork is on view through May 27 at D&R Greenway’s Johnson Education Center, One Preservation Place. Meet the artists at an outdoor reception on Friday, April 29, from 4:30-6 p.m.; RSVP requested at drgreenway.org or info@drgreenway.org.

“Space to Dream” extends an invitation to explore the many open spaces in nature that foster human creativity and artistic expression. From still waters to the lively city park to the vibrant wilderness, preserving land allows future generations to draw inspiration from wild and precious natural environs.

Colorful maple leaves float with Koi Fish by artist Ting Ting Hsu as one enters the galleries. Crested Penguin by artist Moss Freedman provides whimsy as it evokes glacial waters and brings to mind climate change. A nearby quote by Sir David Attenborough reminds the viewer to “Cherish the natural world, because you are a part of it and you depend on it.”

Erica Harney’s Tondo paintings enchant with brilliant colors and images, from blooming daffodils to saguaro cacti. Melanie Lopez’ purple mountains blend into a peach sky in Q ij that depicts a sunset in Guatemala. Susan DeConcini’s shades of dawn invites meditation with purple hues over the water, while Léni Paquet-Morante’s Pebbled Shallow contrasts with strong greens, oranges and browns. “Did you know” facts throughout the exhibit remind that, among other important facets of the natural world, “Water is one of the most valuable resources on our planet.”

Artist Sean Carney’s unique style of painting that uses Minwax woodstain and Dremel on wood is seen alongside large canvases by Tricia Zimic with bears and coyotes bringing nature into cityscapes. Kate Graves, known for her sculpture, exhibits paintings of landscapes reminiscent of Georgia O’Keefe’s New Mexico alongside her expression of the Delaware Water Gap. Charles David Viera invites the viewer to dive with a girl off a pier in Reflection in the Bayside. His imaginative study of dogwalkers is a delight to see.

“D&R Greenway invites the public into this magical new exhibit as we celebrate spring and the ability to share our galleries once again,” said the nonprofit’s president and CEO Linda Mead. “I am especially pleased to announce that this exhibit was envisioned and implemented by first-time curator Ayame Whitfield, our yearlong Fellow and a graduate of Princeton University.”

Whitfield worked with long-time D&R Greenway curator Diana Moore, who said of the exhibit, “It’s beautifully balanced with interesting art that engages the viewer to see and feel the importance of the world around us.”

This exhibit will also feature art from students in the Latin American Legal Defense and Education Fund’s FUTURO program, which is an inclusive and diverse youth mentoring program for promising first- and second-generation immigrant students.

Gallery hours are Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and on the following Saturdays: April 9 and May 7, 12 noon to 4 p.m. For more information, visit drgreenway.org.