“WHEEL II”: This work by Mike Benevenia is part of “When the Land Calls,” now on view in the Johnson Education Center at D&R Greenway Land Trust. A closing reception is on Saturday, March 22 from 2 to 4 p.m.

D&R Greenway Land Trust will host a closing reception for its “When the Land Calls” exhibit on Saturday March 22 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Johnson Education Center, 1 Preservation Place.

“When the Land Calls” is a celebration of an inspiring story about preserving art, land, and community. The exhibit, co-curated by David Scott Lawson and Yvonne DeCarolis, opened in December to a packed house of over 200 guests. Artists Ellen Rebarber and Mike Benevenia engaged the crowd and described their emotional journey of being brought together by area resident Yvonne DeCarolis and her vision to bring art and music to her land.

Rebarber shows no signs of slowing down at the age of 93, actively making art and teaching in her Highland Park home studio. Her collection of sculpture and finely crafted objects in colored glass, stone, metal, ceramic, and paper will all be on sale with a 20 percent discount. D&R Greenway will also be featuring musical accompaniment by guitarist Brian Dixon, with a classical and solo repertoire.

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.

DeCarolis will be on hand to answer questions on her original vision that inspired this exhibit. “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 DeCarolis. “When my land called out, I knew I had to listen and act.”

D&R Greenway’s mission is to preserve and care for land and inspire a conservation ethic. The gallery is open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  RSVP for the closing reception at drgreenway.org or call (609) 924-4646.