Dartmouth Natural Resources Trust (DNRT),  The Trustees of Reservations, UMass-Dartmouth and the Gustin Gallery are once again collaborating to display large site-specific outdoor sculptures on the Slocum’s River Reserve natural area in Dartmouth, Massachusetts from June 20, 2015 through June 10, 2016. The overall goals of “The River Project” are to provide an inspirational and enjoyable free outdoor experience for people of all ages, to increase public interest in and support for art & natural areas, and to stimulate a dialogue about art and nature and the connections between them.

In conjunction with the sculpture exhibit at the Slocum’s River Reserve, drawings, sketchbooks, models and other supporting materials created by the artists will be shown June 20, 2015 through September 27, 2015 in an exhibit at the Gustin Gallery, located at 231 Horseneck Road, just north of the Slocum’s River Reserve.

History of The River Project

The River Project 2009 Sculptures

The idea of installing temporary site-specific outdoor sculptures at the Slocum’s River Reserve arose in 2008 out of the long-time friendship between then DNRT Land Manager, Sarah Storer-Rickson, and UMass-Dartmouth Professor of Fine Art, Stacy Latt Savage. Seeking a way to explore the connections between art and nature, Stacy asked 5 other artists (3 of whom, like her, were professors at UMass-Dartmouth) to join her in creating sculptures for the Reserve. Chris Gustin agreed to exhibit drawings, sketchbooks, models and other preparatory work by the six sculptors at his nearby gallery.  The resulting project, simply known as “The River Project,” ran from August 2009 through March 2010 and was a resounding success, attracting thousands of adults, families and students during the course of the exhibit and receiving accolades like these from those who saw it:

• “Magical, creative and spiritual surprise at every turn!
• “Extraordinary!”
• “An amazing juxtaposition of nature and art!”
• “Just the best!”
• “Beautiful – what a great place to walk and see sculpture.”
• “Magical place!  The sculptures are breathtaking.”
• “Stunning integration of material and landscape.”

Based on the enthusiasm generated by the first River Project, a second River Project was held between June 2012 and May 2013, featuring works of another six artists selected by a committee that included some of the original six artists.  Once again, the project was a huge success, with an estimated 20,000 people visiting the Reserve over the course of the year, including hundreds of schoolchildren.  Photographs of The River Project 2009 & The River Project 2012 can be viewed here.

In August 2013, an organizing committee was formed for The River Project 2015, and five new artists were selected in April 2014 based on an invitation-only request for proposals.

The River Project 2015 Organizing Committee

Rick Creighton*
Elizabeth Dooher*
Peggy Gildersleeve
Chris Gustin
Taylor Kane
Nancy Train Smith*
Dexter Mead, DNRT
James Bride, DNRT
Linda Vanderveer, DNRT
Deborah Cunha, DNRT
Diane Lang, The Trustees of Reservations
John Vasconcellos, The Trustees of Reservations
Ross Moran, The Trustees of Reservations

The River Project 2015 Artist Selection Committee

Elizabeth Dooher*
Peggy Gildersleeve
Dexter Mead
Stacy Latt Savage*
Nancy Train Smith*
Linda Vanderveer
John Vasconcellos
Ellen Lewis Watson*

* former River Project artists