Within the Forest : Without the Forest by DOMM Architecture Studio, 2024

Nature Needs Art More Than Ever:
Arts in Nature Program at Bernheim Forest and Arboretum in Kentucky

Interview by Olivia Ann Carye Hallstein

Bernheim Forest and Arboretum focuses on horticulture, conservation, education, and arts in an expansive forest area larger than Manhattan Island with 350,000 visitors a year. Arts in Nature Curator, Jenny Zeller, describes the history of their programs, highlighting opportunities through Bernheim's Artist Residency Program and newly established L+A+N+D (Landscape + Art + Nature + Design): an experience of discovery initiative for which they are accepting applications until March 24.

Jenny, Bernheim Forest and Arboretum combines art and science through a landscape “infused” with art. What makes this combination powerful and where did the inspiration for this come?

Art engages people in ways that are different from science and education. Art attaches people’s hearts to what they find important and to makes emotional connections which inspire change. And Bernheim believes that nature needs art now more than ever as scientific facts alone have done very little in the fight against climate change. 

Nature-inspired art has been a part of Bernheim Forest and Arboretum since its inception in 1929 due to the foresight of our founder Isaac W Bernheim who envisioned this land as a space for nature-based education, recreational activities, and a venue for high-quality artistic expression. 96 years later, art is what distinguishes us from similar organizations in the region and far beyond.

This vision of integrating art with nature took shape in 1980 when Louisville sculptor Paul Fields won the proposal to create a significant entryway artwork for the Sun in Shade Trail. Shortly after moving on-site to complete the two-year project, the Artist-in-Residence program was born. 

Call for Proposals, Bernheim L+A+N+D Artist Residency, 2025

Your L+A+N+D program focuses on the connections between humans, nature, biodiversity, conservation, sustainability, landscape, climate change and justice. What conversations do you hope to provoke by inviting artists there?

Artists can inspire new ways of thinking, deepen emotional connections to nature, and motivate collective action toward a more sustainable future. L+A+N+D celebrates innovative design concepts for immersive outdoor installations on a grand scale that spark imaginations and conversations.

Artists and creatives offer unique perspectives that challenge and expand our understanding of the connections between humans, nature, and sustainability. Through the L+A+N+D program, we hope to spark conversations about our relationship with the environment, the urgency of climate action, and the role of art in fostering ecological awareness. 

ACRE by Anne Peabody, planted 2023

Within your space, the potential for projects and impact is huge! What unique opportunities does this amount of space and community allow?

Bernheim’s exceptional size of 16,319 acres, offers unique opportunities for environmental stewardship, education, and community engagement. The expansive space supports diverse ecosystems, large-scale conservation efforts, and wildlife protection, while also providing visitors with immersive experiences in nature. We offer over 40-miles of hiking trails, a 630-acre arboretum, research initiatives, a 17-acre natural children’s playground, a 4-acre edible garden, a robust arts program, immersive outdoor installations, and hands-on learning programs through an amazing nature-based educational programs that helps foster a deeper connection between people and the environment. This blend of preserved wilderness and public interaction creates a rare balance between conservation and community involvement. Bernheim provides an endless source of inspiration to all, but especially to artists.

Through the L+A+N+D program, you are inviting international, national, and regional proposals with creatives of all kinds and multidisciplinary teams. What have been some project highlights?

Our inaugural year of L+A+N+D, brought mostly individual artists and architectural teams, from all over the world to Clermont, Kentucky, including Chili, Turkey, Norway, and from states across the United States as well as regional representation from the Louisville region.

Through works like Chrysalis by Nikki Pike and Sylvan Sycamore by Stuart Ian Frost, we explore nature’s fragility and resilience, highlighting the impact of invasive species and extreme weather on ecosystems. Becoming Nutrient by Nicole Banowetz and BIOS by Radix Lucis delve into the microscopic and symbiotic processes that sustain biodiversity, while Within the Forest: Without the Forest by DOMM reimagines human interaction with nature through architectural interventions.

Studio MAYO Architects addresses water scarcity at a human tangible scale through H2Oh! by emphasizing the planet’s limited water resources, while Bloom, Wither, Repeat by Jonathan Pellitteri visually translates rainfall conditions into kinetic movement. The interactive elements of At Least We Looked Good created by the Bernheim Team encourage sensory engagement and critical reflection on fast fashion’s hidden environmental toll.

For future projects, we are hoping for low maintenance works (LOL) that are multi-sensory, thought-provoking, playful, and whimsical while remaining both physically and conceptually accessible, so that all visitors can meaningfully engage.

Becoming Nutrient by Nicole Banowetz, 2024

Engaging with sustainability and climate resiliency are at the heart of your mission. These topics are dire yet contested. How has your approach as an institution shifted to accommodate these challenges?

Bernheim’s mission is connecting people to nature, a vision rooted in the values of our founder, Isaac Wolfe Bernheim. In 1929, his belief that this land should be a place for all, regardless of race, creed, or social status, was remarkably progressive, especially in rural Kentucky. 

Today, we remain committed to upholding his vision, ensuring that Bernheim is a welcoming space where everyone, regardless of background, beliefs, or political affiliation, can experience the benefits of nature and find a sense of belonging. We continue to fulfill our mission while addressing climate resiliency through a science-based, human-centered approach and have become more outspoken on environmental issues as we witness and experience the devastating impacts of a more extreme climate.

At Least We Looked Good by Bernheim Team, 2024

What a beautiful statement of coexistence and thriving on a nature preserve focused on resiliency, research, and education. What changes have you noticed in your local environment and what conservation measures have you integrated into the landscape to support its resilience? How has Bernheim responded to these changes?

Kentucky's environment has experienced increasingly severe weather in recent years, reflecting broader climate trends. More frequent and intense storms, heavy rainfall, and strong winds have led to flooding, tree loss, and disruptions to natural ecosystems. 

Rising temperatures and prolonged dry spells have also heightened the risk of drought, further stressing local landscapes. These extreme weather patterns not only impact the region’s biodiversity but also affect surrounding communities, reinforcing the urgency of climate resilience and conservation efforts.

Guided by our Climate Crisis Action Plan, we implement best practices in energy and water conservation, education, and land stewardship. Recent efforts include acquiring the 182-acre Buffalo Creek Tract to protect Bardstown’s water supply and securing a conservation easement on a neighboring 856 acres to safeguard habitats. Our wetland and stream restoration projects enhance biodiversity, reduce flooding, and improve water quality. We are deploying art to change hearts and minds, with the addition of our new L+A+N+D program and recent living art installation by Anne Peabody entitled ACRE, that connects people to nature and Bernheim’s history through 81 Merlot Redbud trees outlining the perimeter of a one-acre space, representing the daily rate of tree loss during the iron-ore industry’s peak. This installation serves as both a historical reflection on conservation and a breathtaking seasonal spectacle.

To Apply to the L+A+N+D program here