THE EVERGLADES PROJECT

A native Floridian, Donna Marxer has always been captivated by the Everglades and distressed by environmental damage caused by mismanagement of water in what had been an almost-perfect ecological system. In 2000, the $8 billion Everglades Restoration Bill, designed to overhaul the water systems, was signed into law. The painter/activist decided that this would be a good time for artists to be included in this project and created an Artists In Residence In Everglades (AIRIE) program in Everglades National Park. In April, 2001, she became the first resident in the 28th National Parks artists residency program.

EVERGLADES SERIES

“My Everglades Is Bleeding” is a comment on the vulnerability of this unique corner of the earth, starving for water and metaphorically bleeding. Oil on canvas. 30” X 64.”

“Alligator Hole I” Alligators are important to the ecology of the Glades. When the water level is just right, they scoop out ponds to make their home bases. Snails, fish and other aquatic life gather in and around the holes and create whole eco systems. These holes are indicative of environmental health in the Glades. Oil on paper, 30” diameter.

"Hurrah for the Red, White and Blue" refers to the recent devastation of Everglades National Park by two disastrous hurricanes followed by infinite wisdom of Federal budget cuts. Beautiful cypress groves are depicted in oil on paper on top, and reflection in pastel on the bottom. 30”X40”

"Stripping the Glades" fantasizes a planned titanium strip mine to be placed in Everglades National Park contrasted with the natural beauty of the landscape. But the mine itself is no fantasy. Oil on paper, 30"X40."

"Raising Cane" is concerned with the sugar industry and the way it saps water from the Glades which in turn kills off the wildlife. Oil on paper, 30"X40."

"CONCRETE/jungle" depicts a huge housing development with a canal system that drains off the delicately-balanced Florida water table. Oil on paper, 30"X40."

DEAD/quick (Whitewater Bay) contrasts the gorgeous sunsets on Florida Bay with a mangrove key completely devastated by Hurricane Donna in the 60s. This time, nature was the culprit. Oil on paper, 21" X 31."

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