Nature Books and Art📗🎨
Alberta Wilderness Association (AWA) recently hosted a book talk and art show. As an environmental conservation organisation we are constantly expanding our outreach efforts and this includes collaborating with local authors and artists that share our vision.
The exhibit included the 60 pieces of art created over the last year as part of AWA’s ‘What’s Your 60’ nature challenge. Artist Neil Kathol is a retired lawyer who has earned is BFA and has worked in both sculpture and painting. Each of his pieces created this past year reflect his views around Alberta (and a few from BC) that he painted (mostly) outdoors in the elements. It was a challenge to produce 60 pieces in a single year around a certain theme and he says it made him realize the power of working towards a specific goal with his art.
Artist Neil Kathol discussing his art
The event also included a reading by Kevin Van Tighem of his latest book, Understory,[1] which was published in 2025. Kevin is a retired biologist who has written many books over the years. This book was recently chosen as AWA’s Book Club pick for April 2026. I recommend picking up a copy and joining us for a discussion then.
“I tell you Neil...we’re both here with the same message because I look at your paintings and I see an artist’s relationship with his place. And then I also see... it’s also storytelling, because now you put it out in front of people and you curate it, your experience, through your art to say this is what this experience gave me.”
The exhibit will be on display at AWA until mid-March (2026) and can be viewed during our office hours. Many pieces are still available for sale, and Neil will be donating some of the proceeds of the sale to AWA.
I wish to thank both Neil and Kevin for their wonderful support of AWA.
You can view the February 17, 2026 presentation online on AWA’s YouTube channel. [2]
[1] The book can be purchased from Rocky Mountain Books here: https://rmbooks.com/products/understory
[2] AWA Talk Night - Understory https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XhYlHCbVbY
