A Parliament of Trees, with artist Brian Stinson
East Gallery Opening: Every Cottonwood Is a Poplar, but Not Every Poplar Is a Cottonwood!
When
Oct 02, 2026 02:00 PM - Nov 14, 2026 04:00 PMWhere
Description
Join us at the Open Space Visitor Center for an opening reception featuring the work of Albuquerque plein air artist Brian Stinson. Drawing from his deep connection to the New Mexico landscape, Stinson presents a new body of work inspired by the Rio Grande bosque and the iconic cottonwood trees that define this vital ecosystem.
Through large-scale paintings and drawings, Stinson explores the beauty, complexity, and vulnerability of the bosque. His intimate observations of individual cottonwoods and native plants reflect both the character of this landscape and the growing pressures of drought and climate change.
The exhibition grew from Stinson’s participation in the Terra Prime Biodiversity discussions, which encouraged him to reconsider his plein air practice through the lens of biodiversity and the changing urban environment. Spending countless hours observing and drawing in the bosque, Stinson began creating what he describes as portraits of individual trees capturing their distinctive forms, textures, and histories.
A prominent New Mexico artist, Stinson holds an MFA in painting from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and has exhibited nationally, including at the Albuquerque Museum. His work is represented in public collections throughout New Mexico, and he has previously presented two exhibitions at the Open Space Visitor Center.
Opening Reception:
October 2, 2026 5pm-7pm
Price
