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Contact:
Chris Bunch
Executive Director
Medina-Summit Land Conservancy
Ph: (330) 722-7313
Email: info@mslconservancy.org

The crowd at the Harris-Stanton Gallery in West Akron overflowed into the warm evening air at the premier of the exhibit, Land: Our Heritage, Our Legacy, Thursday. 

More than 100 community leaders, conservationists and art enthusiasts turned out for the event, which benefits the Medina Summit Land Conservancy.  Among those in attendance were former Congressman John Seiberling and his wife Betty, who served on the honorary committee.  Seiberling, long-time friend of the environment, was one of the driving forces behind the creation of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park in the early 1970s.

The works of the ten regional artists featured in the show reflect the beauty of nature that they find in the land.   "There's a mystery about the land that I can't put into words," said exhibitor Barbara Gillette.  "My artwork is an expression of that."

Gillette, who also serves as a board member of the conservancy, went on to say, "I feel an anxiety about the disappearing landscape.  That's why we're doing this."

The gallery and the land conservancy teamed up for the exhibit, which runs through May 4, because of the growing concern about loss of land.  With the theme "Without land, there would be no landscapes," promoters hope to raise people's awareness and offer solutions.

"We are pleased to see so many people here who care about preserving land," said Christopher Bunch, Executive Director of the land conservancy.  "Because of their efforts, we are making a difference."

The Medina Summit Land Conservancy, a non-profit land trust, provides landowners with conservation options that restrict development rights of property.  By granting a conservation easement to the land conservancy, landowners limit the changes can be made on a piece of land, but are still able to enjoy all the other benefits of ownership.

For more information about the conservancy or the art exhibit, call (330) 722-7313.   The Harris Stanton Gallery, located at 2301 W. Market Street, is open Monday through Friday, 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.  Admission to the exhibit is free.