Image: Michigan State University
By Kate Habrel
Organizers are now accepting student art submissions for Michigan State University’s annual Fate of the Earth symposium.
Everything from posters to music are allowed. The only requirement: the work must feature people’s relationship with the environment. All students in K-12, undergraduate and graduate studies are encouraged to enter their art.
All submissions must be in by March 9 at 5 p.m. Accepted pieces will be displayed during the symposium at the Kellogg Center in East Lansing, Michigan, on March 24.
This is Fate of the Earth’s fifth time running. But this is the first year it’s accepted artwork. In the past, only research posters were shown during the symposium.
Organizers anticipate many posters, drawings and other two-dimensional works. But music, video and sculpture are also welcome.
“One of our aims this year is to more thoroughly engage with the public,” said Stephen Vrla, a symposium steering committee member and doctoral candidate at MSU. “People who attend the symposium have an opportunity to learn about how they can take more practical action – how they can better engage their children with nature, how they can better take environmental action in their community, and topics like that.”
In that spirit, this year’s symposium will feature talks from guest speakers Christy George of Oregon Public Broadcasting and William Lynn of the George Perkins Marsh Institute.
The band Magpie will also play at the symposium.
Fate of the Earth isn’t just for students and researchers. Members of the public are welcome to attend, even if they’re not from the Lansing area.
“We’d like to reach a broader audience than just Lansing,” Vrla said. “We’re trying to get the word out and bring in people not just from universities, but bring out parents, students, community members of all different backgrounds.”
Students can submit their art as image or video files at the submission page. Anyone can register to attend the symposium for free at the event’s website.