“CIRCLE OF LIFE”: This work by Ellen Rebarber is part of “When the Land Calls,” on view at D&R Greenway Land Trust’s Marie L. Matthews Gallery December 15 through February 28. An opening reception is on December 15 from 1 to 5 p.m.

D&R Greenway Land Trust’s new art exhibit, “When the Land Calls,” opens with a reception on December 15 from 1 to 5 p.m. in the Marie L. Matthews Gallery at the Johnson Education Center, 1 Preservation Place. Featured artists Ellen Rebarber and Mike Benevenia will speak at 2 p.m. about their unique sculptural works, fine art paper bowls, handcrafted jewelry, and bold paintings.

The festive holiday opening offers music and refreshments and includes a Legacy Estate Sale of colored glass, crystal, pottery, and landscape art of Lambertville artist Joseph Shannon. All art is for sale and comes with a gift tag to show that purchases support D&R Greenway’s mission to preserve and care for land and inspire a conservation ethic.

“When the Land Calls” was inspired by one person’s will, determination, and passion for uniting the beauty of the natural world with art. Plainsboro resident Yvonne Amalina De Carolis was recovering from a lengthy illness when she received a clear vision from her land calling for music and sculpture, and thus began a personal journey that would lead her to sculptors Rebarber and Benevenia.

“From early in life, the core of my being has watched and listened to nature, life, and humanity with an open and creative eye and ear. Listening for the magic, the picture, the story to all that surrounds me,” said De Carolis, who is co-curating the exhibit. “When my land called out, I knew I had to listen and act. This sculpture exhibit was birthed from listening to my inner spirit and my desire to connect these artists’ superior talents and visions of the natural world with others. I thought what better place to share this vision than at D&R Greenway’s gallery. It is an honor and privilege to collaborate with such stellar leaders in land preservation and conservation to inspire and support their work.”

Rebarber has worked with wood, metal, stone, ceramics, fused glass, and handmade paper. After 33 years as a teacher in Highland Park, she began working with sculpture and ceramics at the Mason Gross School of Visual Arts at Rutgers University. She studied painting with sculptor George Segal, whose influence forged a pathway to pursuit of her love of art. Her work blends organic forms and radiant colors, taken from the natural world. Rebarber’s work has been acquired and commissioned by private collectors in the U.S. While at Rutgers, she created large metal sculptures that can now be seen on De Carolis’ land.

Benevenia was a recipient of a Fulbright-Nehru research fellowship in 2019. His work uses a wide range of materials including steel, fiberglass, wood, and found objects. His art pushes physical limits, addressing the duality of fragility and resilience. The exhibition includes articulated steel sculptures with painted panels that Benevenia refers to as “alter pieces,” as well as a group of boldly colored abstract paintings with raised textured gesso surfaces that were inspired by British painter Howard Hodgkin. A friend of Rebarber’s, Benevenia helped De Carolis’ vision come to life on her land. De Carolis said, “Unbeknown at the time, I discovered that Mike and Ellen’s art studies at Mason Gross-Rutgers University overlapped. This show is a coming together of their talents and connection and my vision for my land.”

Complementary to the art of Rebarber and Benevenia, a Legacy Estate Sale of works by Shannon will be offered in the downstairs gallery. An art teacher for decades at Columbia University, Shannon amassed large art collections of beautiful objects along with his lifetime collection of paintings. He left a legacy bequest to D&R Greenway Land Trust to support the organization’s work “…in recognition of the outstanding accomplishments of the D&R Greenway in preserving the health and beauty of the landscape of New Jersey.”

“Our lively holiday reception and continuing sale of this art and legacy collection into the new year is truly a gift to all of us who benefit from preserved land,” said D&R Greenway President and CEO Linda Mead. “The sharing of this art provides a place where we can all join together in celebration of land, while asking ourselves how the land calls to us personally and what actions we will take to care for it.”

The gallery is open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. RSVP for the December 15 reception at drgreenway.org or call (609) 924-4646.