Artist Michel Sicardi will donate the proceeds from the sale of his sculptures in the exhibit “Michel Sicardi: Finding Paradise in the Woods,” through March 11, 2023, in the Alexander Black House main galleries, 204 Draper Road SW, Blacksburg, to the New River Conservancy.
Admission to the exhibit is free; the hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Concerned about the rapid development in the New River watershed, the conservancy was formed to permanently protect the land along the New River, working with interested landowners who wish to voluntarily protect their land. Through their Accredited Land Trust Program, NRC has helped to protect nearly 10,000 acres of land and over 60 miles of rivers
though land conservation, permanent sustainable management plans, and river and stream
restoration.
“We conduct river cleanups along sections of the New River throughout the year,” said Briana Bittner of the NRC. “Since 2001, we have pulled roughly the size of a blue whale (500,000 pounds) of trash and 13,000 tires from the New River,” Bittner said. “We expect those numbers to increase as we clean more of the river. We are so thankful for the support of Mr. Sicardi, and Blacksburg Museum and Cultural Foundation for hosting his exhibit.”
Sicardi, who will be returning to France soon, has said he was not as conscious about the environment in his native country. It wasn’t until he lived in the United States that he became preoccupied by the environmental damage caused by plastics, and Americans’ propensity for using plastic bags.
Sicardi has said he is grateful for the opportunity to donate to the New River Conservancy’s mission to protect land and water in this area. “I wish that more people are aware that their actions have an effect on nature and that we should do our best to lessen our impact.” Sicardi said.