Artist
Dorothy O’Connor

Project Title
Conceptual Portrait of Iconic Environmental Activist, Naturalist, and Author, Carol Ruckdeschel.

Grant Amount
$1,000

Website
www.dorothyoconnor.com

Multidisciplinary artist Dorothy O’Connor, hopes to create a conceptual portrait of iconic environmental activist, naturalist, and author, Carol Ruckdeschel. Learning of Ms. Ruckdeschel, through a commission and subsequent relationship with Wild Cumberland, the non-profit established by Ms. Ruckdeschel to monitor and ensure Wilderness Protections on Cumberland Island, O’Connor became interested and ultimately enchanted with the ecosystem there. After spending time in its wilderness and delving into its history, she was profoundly inspired by Ms. Ruckdeschel’s story and the significant role she has tirelessly played over the last nearly 50 years in protecting the unique ecology on the island. Before electronic mail and amidst the difficulty of confronting wealth, power and the patriarchy, Ms. Ruckdeschel was able to gain support and establish into law large swathes of the Island as Protected Wilderness. It is the ultimate triumphant underdog story and frankly completely bad assed. Ms. Ruckdeschel still lives on a remote area of the island. The artist aims to create a collaborative conceptual portrait on location that captures her meaningful life and legacy on Cumberland.