Joshua Tree National Park Unveils New Art Exhibition on Desert Ecology

Joshua Tree National Park will host an art exhibition by Fall 2023 Artist in Residence, Jim Weaver, titled The Changing Desert Ecology. The exhibition, featuring a series of relief prints, will run from October 18, 2024, through January 5, 2025, at the Black Rock Art Gallery in the Black Rock Nature Center, Yucca Valley.

Weaver’s work explores the evolving ecological dynamics of the Mojave Desert. By incorporating data on fossil fuel consumption, rising atmospheric carbon dioxide, and historical fire patterns, he aims to visually represent the environmental forces impacting the desert landscape. The exhibition focuses on how these elements shape the region’s ecology and provoke reflection on human interaction with the environment.

Weaver, based in Oklahoma City, has a background in environmental restoration, holding degrees in forestry and engineering. His career in restoration work and his interest in traditional leather tooling techniques have influenced his artistic process. Weaver uses tooled leather as a printmaking matrix, a method that has been showcased in national and international exhibitions. Joshua Tree marks his third national park residency.

The exhibition will open with a reception on October 18, 2024, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Black Rock Art Gallery. The gallery is open daily from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., with free admission.

For more information, visitors can contact the Black Rock Nature Center at Joshua Tree National Park.