Even as the Circular Congregational Church’s group of artists get “In the Spirit” with Sages, a Piccolo-spanning art show, it will host a one-night flower show where the flora’s 2-D and a CD loops laid-back tunes in the background.
The indoor nature walk has a distinct environmentally-conscious edge, focusing on endangered plants. Honor Marks will provide the greenery, with a series of oil paintings imbued with her own appreciation of what she describes as “the enormity of the miracles that surround us.” Marks’ delicate renderings reflect her innate curiosity and observational eye, using light strokes where necessary to give her backgrounds a multitextured realism.
TV host and USC lecturer Rudy Mancke will be on hand to lead the walk and foster appreciation for local wildflowers. Best known for a decades-long stint on ETV’s globe-trotting Naturescene, Mancke’s as passionate about his subject as Marks is about her artwork.
James Island-based filmmaker Justin Nathanson will loop appropriate sounds and music and project images of Marks’ work to create the impression that viewers are surrounded by lush foliage. The whole shebang’s hosted by the nonprofit Coastal Conservation League, a locally-based group dedicated to protecting nature on the coast. Their remit includes awareness-raising like this very event.
While Mancke and the League may find themselves preaching to the conservational converted, Wild Things offers a chance to see Marks’ well-honed work in an unusual, thought-provoking environment. Best of all, this is a nature walk without a bug in sight.
WILD THINGS & WONDER • Piccolo Spoleto’s Visual Arts • FREE • May 31 at 7 p.m. • Circular Congregational Church, 150 Meeting St. • 724-7305 Love Best of Charleston? Help the Charleston City Paper keep Best of Charleston going every year with a donation. Or sign up to become a member of the Charleston City Paper club.