Exploring Art and Sustainability with Deanna Pindell
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Studio photo of formerly buried fabric by Carolyn Lewis. [/caption]
Arts reporting by Carolyn Lewis
Visiting “Pindellopia,” as artist Deanna Pindell refers to her little corner of the world, was such an informative experience. Pindell is an eco-art sculptor, author, and educator whose creations transcend traditional art forms, aiming to challenge perspectives and inspire collective action for the environment. With a deep connection to ecosystems and an inventive approach to artistic expression, her work bridges the gap between science, empathy, and cultural transformation.
At the core of Pindell’s artistic philosophy is the belief that art has the power to reshape societal attitudes toward ecological challenges. For her, the question is not whether we have the knowledge or technology to address environmental issues—but whether we have the cultural will. She sees art as a vehicle for fostering conversations, inspiring hope, and actively contributing to ecological restoration. Through installations, public art, and collaborations, Pindell invites audiences to envision healthier futures for the planet.
When people experience her work, Pindell hopes they leave with more questions than answers. "I hope they ask themselves questions, open to new perspectives, and share their stories," she says. By sparking curiosity and dialogue, she creates space for reflection and connection.
Pindell’s work draws consistent inspiration from the intricate systems of life that connect everything—from microbes to megaflora and megafauna. Her art challenges the anthropocentric (human-centered) perspective that often drives environmental destruction, advocating instead for empathy and coexistence. This shift in perspective is central to her creative and conceptual processes.
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Photo courtesy of Deanna Pindell’s website. [/caption]
A key example of her approach is the Soil Dialogs, a collaborative project that unites artists and scientists to explore soil health. Participants bury cotton cloth to observe microbial activity before transforming their findings into unique art pieces. The project has been showcased at international soil science conferences and art exhibitions, illustrating how art can engage with science to deepen public understanding.
Pindell is also developing the American Wilderness Wax Museum, a fictional museum from the future curated by Ani Greenhaven, a fictional character that Pindell created. This imaginative project seeks to engage audiences in discussions about extinction, ethics, and environmental responsibility through thoughtful, open-ended questions like, “Should elephants have legal personhood? What about trees or squirrels?” Pindell plans to debut this surreal, mobile installation in September at events such as PARK(ing) Day and at local festivals in Port Townsend and beyond, creating playful yet meaningful interactions.
As an educator, Pindell teaches studio arts and art history. Her classes include subjects like sculpture, drawing, design, and the global history of art, as well as specialized topics like Northwest Coast Native art history. Teaching allows her to inspire the next generation of artists to think critically and creatively about the world around them.
Her path to becoming a working artist was far from straightforward. Raised in an environment where art-making was discouraged, she pursued various careers—including carpentry, stagehand work, and crab fishing—before fully embracing her artistic calling. This diverse background has informed her perspective as a builder of both physical and conceptual creations.
Ultimately, Pindell’s art is a call to action. She says she hopes her work encourages audiences to see themselves as part of an interconnected system of life and to act with empathy and awareness. By fostering curiosity and dialogue, she aims to inspire others to contribute to a sustainable and compassionate future.
Pindell says that all her favorite projects have been about restoration. She worked with youth in a Cambodian Montessori school to build a bio-remediation island in their pond and restored a polluted storm-water swale in North Carolina into a park site, incorporating functional art as well as numerous other projects both locally and further afield. Pindell says she “would love to have more opportunities to work with a team, combining art and science into larger scale ecological projects. Those she says “would be a dream projects”
Carolyn Lewis is a serial entrepreneur, artist, and community builder happily living and volunteering in Port Townsend. Visit her social media group on Facebook at Port Townsend Life and follow her on Instagram @linalewisart
