News

press / Media

“Residents Rally to Protect Nesting Herons, Halt Biscayne Park Tree Cutting”, by Ethan Mannello, Miami New Times. April 2, 2025.

“Protecting Our Treasures”, by Paloma Pimentel, Biscayne Times. March 28, 2025.

“Remembering South Florida Artist and Activist Alessandra Mondolfi”, by Melanie Oliva, Miami New Times. March 11, 2025.

“Signs of Resistance”, by Andrea Arroyo, OppArt, The Nation Magazine. March 4, 2025.

“Frank Gallery’s Teen Art Club Offers Place For Expression”, Broward Arts Calendar. October 15, 2024.

“Rising Stars: Meet Melanie Oliva”, Miami’s Most Inspiring Stories, VoyageMIA.com. October 10, 2024.

“Meet Melanie Oliva”, Finding & Living with Purpose, BoldJourney.com. April 23, 2024.

“Arts Warehouse’s ‘Waves’ Addresses Climate Crisis With Urgency, Wit”, by John Thomason, Boca Magazine. September 14, 2022.

“Art and Activism with Melanie Oliva”, by Joana Alarcao, Insights of an Eco Artist Podcast. September 2, 2022.

“Meet Melanie Oliva”, Finding Financial Success as a Creative, CanvasRebel.com. April 6, 2022.

“The Brooklyn Cafe Show”, hosted by Dawn Graubert and Freddy Santory. Featuring a live appearance by Melanie Oliva. March 8, 2022.

“The Brooklyn Cafe Show”, hosted by Dawn Graubert and Freddy Santory. Featuring a live appearance by Melanie Oliva. March 2, 2022.

“Climate Change Has Melanie Oliva Painting Red” by Melanie Oliva, ArtWeek. January 28, 2022.

“Migration: Taking to the streets, with artivism” by Andrea Arroyo, OppArt, The Nation Magazine. November 12, 2021.

“Meet Melanie Oliva | Artist Activist & Art Instructor”, Unique Perspectives, ShoutoutMiami.com. October 7, 2020.

“Episode 4 - Nick Mulvey, Musician; Melanie Oliva, Climate Artist; Kate Fleming, Founder of Bridge Initiative” by The CLEO Institute, House on Fire Podcast. June 5, 2020.

“Melanie Oliva”, South Florida Artist Gallery, LifeIsArtFest.org. April 30, 2020.

“Artist Melanie Oliva Uses Graphic Design to Help Activist Causes” by Alexandra Martinez, Miami New Times. July 10, 2019.

“Meet Melanie Oliva in Biscayne Park”, Miami’s Most Inspiring Stories, VoyageMIA.com. November 20, 2018.

“Miami Rising Looks Squarely At Sea Level: Sept. 8 Event To Show Art That Addresses Climate Change” by Monica Torres, MiamiArtZine.com. August 30, 2018.

"Wheel of Misfortune: Stop playing with children's lives" by Andrea Arroyo, OppArt, The Nation Magazine. April 2, 2018.

"Toxic Art: The proof is in the paint" by Melanie Oliva & John Sabraw, Medium. March 30, 2018.

"'Enough Is Enough!' Thousands In South Florida Demand Change At March For Our Lives" by Caitie Switalski, Kate Stein, Peter Haden & Nancy Klingener, WLRN. March 24, 2018.

“Smash the Patriarchy: With the winds of change: Intersectional feminism will make the world go round" by Andrea Arroyo, OppArt, The Nation Magazine. January 1, 2018.

"Meet Them Mondays Radio Show: Social Issues, Feminism & Art" hosted by Christian Portilla, Meet Them Mondays. December 11, 2017.

"Parade Against Patriarchy Brings Feminist Public Art to Basel" by Celia Almeida, Miami New Times. December 8, 2017.

"Florida's Environment: Six #FloridaWomen Bringing Art to the Forefront" by Rebecca Burton, The Marjorie. December 4, 2017.

"Thin Skin: The thin-skinned president always shows his true colors" by Andrea Arroyo, OppArt, The Nation Magazine. November 29, 2017.

"The Canvas of Contention" by Sherry Mazzocchi, Manhattan Times. August 9, 2017.

"At the Boiling Point: The Issue of Climate Change Gets Personal" by John Ise, Biscayne Times. July 2017.

"Protestors Take to the Streets for Miami's March Against Monsanto 2017" by George Martinez, Miami New Times. May 22, 2017.

"Artist March, Series of Protests Planned Across the Country, Started in Miami" by Neil de la Flor, Miami New Times. May 16, 2017.

"Art Will Save The World – 9 Questions with Melanie Oliva of The Artful Activist" by Kelly Hughes, The Huffington Post. April 11, 2017.

"Creative Spotlight: Melanie Oliva" by Nichole McVeigh, Embody Your Muse. February 8, 2017.

"The Artful Activist, a Group of Progressive Miami Artists, Tries to 'Save the World'" by Neil de la Flor, Miami New Times. January 12, 2017.

"Why We Went Vegan | Day 12 - Melanie Oliva" by Jeanette & Alex Ruiz, Planted in Miami "31 Days | 31 Reasons", plantedinmiami.com. January 12, 2017.

"The Artful Activist Collective Fights Climate Change and Toxic Politics" by DJ Pangburn, The Creators Project. December 30, 2016.

"Interview with Miami artist Melanie Oliva" by Wendy Carey (Ms. Wenderful), The Art of Being. November 4, 2016.

"Our Product: Catching up with some of FRA's distinguished alumni", 4700 Magazine. July 2016.

"Revisiting Inspiration Pollination" by Sarah Tyrrell, GreenHawks Media. April 15, 2016.

"Episode 26: Inspiration Pollination with Melanie Oliva" by Jeanette & Alex Ruiz, Planted in Miami Podcast, plantedinmiami.com. April 12, 2016.

The Avant-Garde, by Katherine N. Crowley. Featured in Monthly Newsletter, Vol. IX, No. 2, the-avant-garde.com. April 2016.

"Help wanted? Miami artist will work for food." by Melanie Oliva, ArtPeople Gallery. March 24, 2016.

"Remember Me" by Melanie Oliva, Red Flag Magazine. December 21, 2015.

"Inspiration Pollination", The Miamian: The Magazine of Miami University, featured on back cover, Fall 2015 issue.

"Stafford artist contributes work to online effort that focuses on importance of pollinators" by Cathy Dyson, The Free Lance-Star. October 11, 2015.

"LOLA Woman of the Month: Melanie Oliva" by Priscilla Woolworth, Lots of Love Always (LOLA). September 14, 2015.

"Miami Grad Creates a Real Buzz" by Sarah Tyrrell, GreenHawks Media. September 4, 2015.

"FRA Alum Starts Art Movement, Bringing Awareness to Pollination" by Andrea Hinds, The Williamson Source. September 1, 2015.

"Artists Want To Save Pollinators, Through Pollination" by Claire Fallon, The Huffington Post. August 27, 2015.

"Environmental artist Melanie Oliva to public: Don’t kill my buzz" by Kat McReynolds, Mountain Xpress. August 27, 2015.

upcoming events

Dates TBD. ‘Beasts of Burden III’ // opening date TBD, Time TBD // Location TBD.

past events

2/23/25. ‘Savor the Sounds’ // Featured artist & live painter for The Frank Gallery // 4-6pm // Pembroke Pines City Center, Pembroke Pines, FL.

10/11/24-10/13/24. ‘Connection/Disconnection’ by the Animal Rights Museum of Art // opening 10/11, 6-9pm // Art Share L.A., 801 E 4th Place, Los Angeles, CA 90013.

8/19/23. Miami-Dade Public Libraries ‘Climate of Art’ Exhibition // 1-4pm // Westchester Regional Branch Library, Westchester, FL.

3/18/23-5/27/23. ‘Birding: Obsession of Observation’ // opening 3/18, 4-8pm // Tenth Street Gallery, 1655 Tenth Street, Sarasota, FL 34236.

12/9/22-12/30/22. ‘Pine and Palm’ // opening 12/15, 5:30-8:30pm // Coral Springs Museum of Art, 2855A Coral Springs Dr., Coral Springs, FL.

12/17/22. ‘Miami Girl Power - Small Works, Big Impact’ Artist Talk // 3pm // ArtToSaveLives Contemporary, 9705 NE 2nd Ave., Miami, FL.

12/2/22-12/30/22. ‘Miami Girl Power - Small Works, Big Impact’ // opening 12/3, 6pm-9pm // ArtToSaveLives Contemporary, 9705 NE 2nd Ave., Miami, FL.

11/4/22. ‘The Absent Referent’ Artist Talk // 2pm // virtual event.

10/26/22-11/19/22. ‘The Absent Referent’ at TAG Gallery // opening 10/29, 5pm-9pm // TAG Gallery, 5458 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036.

10/7/22. ‘Waves’ Artist Talk // 7pm // Arts Warehouse, 313 NE 3rd St., Delray Beach, FL 33444.

10/15/22. ‘Workshop: Mixed Media After Images’ // 2pm-4pm // Arts Warehouse, 313 NE 3rd St., Delray Beach, FL 33444.

9/6/22-11/28/22. ‘Sunshine and Lolliepops’ // opening 9/6, 6pm-9pm // GALLERY One a Double Tree Suites Hotel by Hilton, 2670 East Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304.

9/2/22-10/29/22. ‘Waves’ // opening 9/2, 6pm-9pm // Arts Warehouse, 313 NE 3rd St., Delray Beach, FL 33444.

2/10/22-4/23/22. Solo show at The Frank Aisles gallery // opening 2/10, 6pm-9pm // The Frank C. Ortis Art Gallery and Exhibit Hall, 601 City Car Way, Pembroke Pines, FL 33025.

12/4/20-12/31/20. Casselberry Art House Presents ‘Visions of Our Environment’ // exhibiting artist // curated by Michelle Irizarry // digital exhibition on the City of Casselberry’s website.

7/11/20. Color Me Hopeful: A Creative Workshop to Lift Spirits // with Dina Varano, Carrie Tillis and Marquise Fair // host and watercolor tutorial instructor // 2-3:30 ET // virtual event.

7/4/20. Oh Say Can You See: Critical interpretations of the American flag, relating to July 4th and notions of freedom // by Michele Pred // participating artist // virtual event.

3/13/20-5/14/20. ‘It’s a Woman’s World’ // exhibiting artist // opening postponed due to Coronavirus // YWCA Greater Cincinnati, Women’s Art Gallery, Cincinnati, OH.

3/31/20. The Art of Equal Pay // by Michele Pred // participating artist // virtual event.

12/6/19. Civil Discourse: Public Conversations and Art // by Michele Pred // 2-4:30pm // Ocean Drive, South Beach, Miami Beach, FL.

5/29/19-6/2/19. ProjectArt presents Currents // exhibiting artist // opening 5/29, 7pm-9pm // Museum of Contemporary Art North Miami, Miami, FL.

5/31/19. 2nd Annual 2019 “1804 Forever Youth ArT kOnTeSt” by Konscious Kontractors // juror // 5pm-7pm // 246 NW 54th St., Miami, FL.

3/23/19. MDC Hialeah Campus Art, Music & Food Festival // exhibiting artist // 10am-4pm // Hialeah-Miami Dade College, 1780 West 49th St., Hialeah, FL.

1/4/19-1/25/19. Still They Persist: Protest Art of the 2017 Women's Marches // by the FemFour // Pro Arts, Oakland, CA.

11/3/18. Pollinator Parade (organizer) // by Bound by Beauty, Pesticide-Free Miami & Inspiration Pollination // Exhibiting Artist at Bound by Beauty booth // Green Day Miami Shores // 3:30-7:30 // NE 2nd Ave. @ 95th-100th Sts.

11/3/18. Work featured digitally at Love The Everglades' “11th Annual Everglades Awareness Benefit” // Fillmore, Miami Beach, FL..

9/8/18. Miami Rising: Rise for Climate, Jobs and Justice // by 350 South Florida // exhibiting artist // 2-8pm // Bayfront Park, Miami, FL.

9/1/18. Miami Rising Leadership Training // by 350 South Florida, NextGen Florida, Miami Climate Alliance, et al // presenter of “Using Art to Uplift Your Cause” // 2-5pm // 300 Aragon Ave., Coral Gables, FL.

8/19/18. Miami Rising Live Art Competition for Climate, Jobs and Justice // juried contestant in competition sponsored by 350 South Florida // 4-8pm // Naomi's Garden Restaurant & Lounge, 650 NW 71st St, Miami, FL.

8/11/18. Pop Ups for Change, by Kim and Roses, SPC and NextGen Florida // "Beyond the Vote" panelist & exhibiting artist // The Wynwood Yard, Lots at 56, 64, 70 82 NW 29th St., Miami, FL.

5/26/18. Evening Program – Tokitae Totem Pole Journey Miami // curated artwork on display to accompany Lummi Nation event // FIU Graham Center Ballrooms // 11200 Southwest 8th Street, Miami, FL.

4/12/18-5/31/18. Awaken Florida // a group show curated by JohnBob Carlos // opening 4/12, 6-9pm // FIU Steven & Dorothea Green Library, 2nd Floor, 11200 SW 8th St., Miami, FL.

4/25/18. ART Morningside // 28th Morningside Tour of Historic Homes // 12-5pm // 601 NE 57th St., Miami, FL.

1/22/18-3/16/18. Still They Persist: Protest Art of the 2017 Women's Marches // by the FemFour // Salisbury University, Salisbury, MD.

1/20/18. Women Together for Freedom – March and Rally // commissioned banner by Collier Freedom // 4-8:30pm // Cambier Park, Naples, FL.

12/16/17-1/7/18. Still They Persist: Protest Art of the 2017 Women's Marches // by the FemFour // KMAC Museum, Louisville, KY.

12/6/17. Parade Against Patriarchy // by Michele Pred // Miami Beach, FL.

11/4/17. Work featured digitally at Love The Everglades' “10th Annual Everglades Awareness Benefit” // Gramps in Wynwood.

10/9/17-10/22/17. Still They Persist: Protest Art of the 2017 Women's Marches // by the FemFour // Contemporary Arts Center, Cincinnati, OH.

7/28/17-8/13/17. Still They Persist: Protest Art of the 2017 Women's Marches // by the FemFour // Lexington Art League, Lexington, KY.

8/11/17. The Standard's MOBILIZE! // A protest poster exhibition & silent auction benefitting the ACLU // curated by John Lin // 7-10pm // The Standard Spa, 40 Island Ave., Miami Beach, FL.

6/14/17. Artist March // Miami, West Palm Beach, Fort Myers & Boston.

5/20/17-6/24/17. Still They Persist: Protest Art of the 2017 Women's Marches // by the FemFour // Wave Pool Gallery, 2940 Colerain Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45225.

4/6/17-4/27/17. Featured alumni artist at FRA's Art Showcase // Crocket Library, Franklin Road Academy, 4700 Franklin Road, Nashville, TN 37220.

10/22/16. Miami Shores Green Day Fair // Exhibited with Bound by Beauty // Miami Shores, FL.

9/18/16. Work featured digitally at Love The Everglades' “9th Annual Everglades Awareness Benefit” // Gramps in Wynwood.

6/1/16-6/30/16. Featured artist at Virginia Erdie Galleries, within BluEgg Interiors // Curated by Virginia Erdie // 771 NE 125th St., Miami, FL 33161.

1/12/16-3/20/16. Participant in One Hour of Birds, a collaborative project by Jenny Kendler // part of Animal Umwelt, an exhibition by Jenny Kendler & Molly Schaefer // iMOCA (Indianapolis Museum of Contemporary Art) CityWay gallery at the Alexander Hotel // 333 South Delaware St., Indianapolis, IN 46204.

2/13/16-2/15/16. St. Stephen's Art Show (Juried) // 2750 McFarlane Road, Coconut Grove, FL 33133.

11/21/15-12/5/15. FOR EVERGLADES group show at HARRISART // Curated by Jane Harris.

10/24/15. Miami Shores Green Day Festival // Miami Shores, FL.

9/19/15. Work featured digitally at Love The Everglades' “8th Annual Everglades Awareness Benefit” // Gramps in Wynwood.

press releases

Climate change has Melanie Oliva painting red.

MIAMI, FL (January 28, 2022) – A solo exhibition by Melanie Oliva featuring works from her After-image Series of watercolor and acrylic paintings will run from February 10 to April 23, 2022 at The Frank Gallery in Pembroke Pines, FL.

Oliva, a Miami artist who changed careers from Creative Director in advertising to fine artist in 2014, has been using her artwork to bring awareness to sociopolitical and environmental issues since. While her After-image paintings use a visual illusion to tell stories about threatened flora and fauna, the colors aim to assure the viewer that climate change is anything but an illusion:

“My After-image Series was born from driving through Miami as a passenger after we moved here – I would close my eyes at particularly scary moments. I noticed the sun would leave a detailed ‘after-image’ under my eyelids of what I saw beforehand. This inspired me to create a series using this visual phenomenon as a metaphor”, says Oliva.

The series forewarns that the beauty of our world may someday only survive as an after-image – the image you see after staring at something bright – if we close our eyes at the most critical moments and do not act to protect it.

Oliva’s solo show – located in The Frank Aisles gallery (lobby) – runs concurrently with group exhibition Elemental: Terra, Tide & Time (main gallery) and Natural Mystic (second floor). Guests are invited to attend the opening on February 10 from 6-9pm at The Frank Gallery, 601 City Center Way, Pembroke Pines, FL. Parking and admission are free and masks are required. To see more of Melanie Oliva’s work, visit her website and instagram.

Art exhibit sets the alarm to awaken Florida.

MIAMI, FL (Mar. 23, 2018) – Photographer and activist JohnBob Carlos has curated a group exhibit called “Awaken Florida”, which opens Thursday, April 12 at the FIU Green Library and runs through April 30. The show, hosted by Vicki Silvera, head of Special Collections at FIU, includes Carlos’ large-format photography and work from several local artists, all of which showcases Florida’s unique features and rich biodiversity.

“May this exhibit serve as a reminder of the natural beauty that is here now and that can still be saved for future generations”, the photographer says. Carlos is a native Floridian who captures images of Florida’s wildlife, landscapes, waterways and cultures. In recent years, he’s become deeply concerned about the state of Florida’s natural resources and is alarmed at the devastation of the areas he loves – largely due to development. Carlos uses photography as a voice for the Florida’s flora and fauna and to help preserve the culture of the region. His imagery has been used to champion petitions combatting fracking, to preserve the Pine Rocklands, to highlight clean water initiatives, to oppose roads that could destroy the Everglades and to support various conservation efforts.

Carlos has also selected work from artists who advocate for Florida’s fragile ecosystems. Participating artists include Dita Devi, Nancy R. Koerner of Junglepixiebelize, Jeniece Martinez, Melanie Oliva and Eva Ruiz. Mediums range from paintings and woodblock prints to exotic wood carvings.

All are invited to the opening reception for Awaken Florida on Thursday, April 12, from 6pm-9pm, at the Steven and Dorothea Green Library, FIU campus, 2nd Floor, 11200 SW 8th St., Miami, FL 33199. The event is free to the public. More details can be found here.

Help wanted? Miami artist will work for food.

MIAMI, FL (Mar. 23, 2016) – Eco-artist Melanie Oliva will work for food, but not in the sense you might think. Oliva seeks to collaborate with activists, scientists and other artists with a goal in mind. She’s creating awareness for environmental issues with her artwork, in an effort to ensure Earth’s inhabitants will have enough food in the years to come. She believes that awareness, collaboration and action are the keys to protecting our fragile ecosystems and reversing the effects of climate change; otherwise, we could see drastic reductions in our food supply.

Oliva uses her “After-image” series to bring these issues to light, with each painting providing a problem and solution. From Oliva, “Each painting represents what you see when you close your eyes, after staring at something bright – suggesting the subject may only survive as an after-image unless action is taken. With this series, I have the ability to give endangered plants and animals a voice, who so desperately need our empathy and respect. I worry about the world my niece and nephew will inherit. I’ve found that using my artwork to convey a message can inspire people to act.”

Oliva’s advertising background has also been helpful in creating change. Last August, she collaborated with her brother Scott Dickerson and husband Mike Oliva to start Inspiration Pollination – a grassroots coalition of creators who use their work to connect the public with the plight of pollinators. “The group creates free advertising for pollinators and their role in food production, by encouraging members to incorporate them into their next project.”, says Oliva. After eight months, the online group has grown to more than 600 makers, gaining members from around the globe after an article was published by The Huffington Post. Oliva has witnessed people who may have never considered themselves environmentalists become advocates for bees, bats, butterflies and hummingbirds. You can join the group on Facebook, read their blog, and follow their progress on Twitter (@inspr8npollin8n) and Instagram (@inspirationpollination).

Oliva recently collaborated with photographer/activist JohnBob Carlos on “Florida After-image #1” to depict an area of the Everglades that will be negatively affected by the River of Grass Greenway bike path. She’s also advocated for the Florida Black Bears with her artwork and by writing a collaborative article for RedFlag.org. In addition, she’s volunteered with the grassroots group Imagine Our Florida to help get anti-bear hunt resolutions passed across the state. Oliva just recently completed a painting of Miami Seaquarium’s Lolita, inspired by the efforts of activists Sylvia Grimaldi Gomez and Danielle Daals, in hopes that Lolita will soon be retired to a sea-pen or protected cove.

If you’d like to collaborate with Melanie Oliva to help the voiceless or mitigate the effects of climate change, please visit melanieoliva.com or email inspirationpollination@gmail.com for more information.

Biscayne Park launches juried art competition for public spaces

BISCAYNE PARK, FL (December 8, 2015) – The Village of Biscayne Park, located between North Miami and Miami Shores, is seeking artists to participate in their 2016 juried outdoor sculpture competition, “Art is in Our Nature”.

As Biscayne Park is a Bird Sanctuary and home for wildlife, submissions should reflect the environment and natural world. A fee of $30 allows artists living in Florida to enter up to three pieces. Between one and three winner(s) will be chosen by a jury to display their work in a prominent Biscayne Park location for one year. Winner(s) will receive a cash prize, publicity and opening reception. Artist’s statement, sample images and dimensions should be emailed to publicart@biscayneparkfl.gov by February 15, 2016. All details and requirements can be found here or at biscayneparkfl.gov under “Information for Residents”.

Futscher protects the future of the Everglades with group show at HARRISART

MIAMI, FL (Dec. 3, 2015) – Miami artist and environmental activist Joan Futscher is spreading awareness about the proposed River of Grass Greenway (ROGG) and its potential impact on the Everglades, one of the most biodiverse areas on the planet and home for a host of pollinators and other endangered wildlife. She’s coordinated a group show with artist and gallery owner Jane Harris called FOR EVERGLADES – one more effort in her history of peaceful activism on behalf of the national park. HARRISART is holding a closing reception for the show this Saturday.

Futscher’s passion for shielding the Everglades and five other parks from the ROGG began with the “Walk for Mother Earth” back in March, led by Bobby C. Billie, the spiritual elder of the Micossukee Tribe, and Betty Oceola. The four-day, 75-mile walk covered ground proposed for the ROGG bike path. Although Futscher broke her wrist the night before the walk and could not complete it, she was inspired by accounts from the 19 other participants, including photographer JohnBob Carlos. The group’s reconnection with nature during the walk drove them to form an alliance with a common goal – to further protect this “protected” wildlife habitat that gives species like the endangered Florida Panther a place to thrive. They saw firsthand that the path would cut through wetlands considered critical to carbon and water absorption, acting as a natural barrier to flooding. Frustrated that Amendment One is not preventing development in the Everglades as promised, the group has sought action and spread the word. They’ve attended public meetings, written emails and hand delivered letters to Mark A. Heinicke, CPRP, CLARB, Senior Park Planner, Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Dept., Planning and Design Excellence Division, to no avail. The group’s efforts continue as the ROGG remains scheduled.

Curated by Jane Harris, the show includes work from an Everglades Facebook challenge initiated by JohnBob Carlos in July, and has a few “family-friendly” surprises. Artwork from Joan Futscher, JohnBob Carlos, Carmen Ferreiro, Liliana Leiro, Melanie Oliva, and Anne Gordon Vega is featured and dialogue with the artist activists is encouraged. The plan for the ROGG is on display and a petition to stop the ROGG will be available to sign. Futscher aims to inspire those who may be new to environmental activism and also sees this event as a thank you to those who have been working to protect the Everglades, in hopes the support will encourage them to keep going.

The closing reception for the show FOR EVERGLADES is Saturday, December 5, 2015, from 2-5pm at HARRISART, 4432 SW 74th Ave., Miami, FL 33155 in the Bird Road Art District (BRAD).

Artists give pollinators wings

MIAMI, FL (August 22, 2015) – Miami environmental artist Melanie Oliva launched Inspiration Pollination, an online community of artists and creators who have the power to influence others through their work. This effort was in response to the White House’s announcement in May that pollinators’ numbers are rapidly decreasing, putting them at serious risk for extinction.

“I was surprised at how little many I talked to knew about the matter and how apathetic some were. I thought, ‘If they don’t know just how critical pollinators are, how much does the general public understand?’ Familiar with the work of Josh Keyes, John Sabraw and Mary Iverson, I know that art can elevate important issues. I decided to theme a series of artwork, but I felt I could do more.”

After brainstorming ideas with her husband – some potentially dangerous like installing and manning billboard-like beehives – a simpler idea came to mind. She could encourage other creators to incorporate the message into their next project, gaining what is essentially free advertising for pollinators’ plight. Using the Ice Bucket Challenge as her model, Oliva challenged the original 200 members of Inspiration Pollination (including Nashville’s Herb Williams and Miami’s Oliver Sanchez) to post a pollinator-focused project on Facebook and pass the challenge on to four more to keep it “pollinating” throughout the online world. As the group gains a larger following, the artist hopes to turn it into a non-profit that will foster community efforts and help other artists with similar environmental aspirations.

For more information, visit the Inspiration Pollination group page on Facebook, follow on Instagram @inspirationpollination and Twitter @inspr8npollin8n or email inspirationpollination@gmail.com.