Board of Advisors
June LaCombe
Environmental Artist, Curator, Maine
June LaCombe is presently a fourth year Environmental Studies Doctoral Student at Antioch New England and an arts curator showing sculpture on the landscape. Her professional experience reflects her interests in natural history, cultural history and the arts. She was the Director of Environmental Education for the Maine Audubon Society from 1976-1982 overseeing nature centers, field trips, wildlife research, and teacher's resources. She worked as the Education Director, then the Acting Director of Greater Portland Landmarks in 1984-1986 overseeing architectural history walking tours, courses, field trips, and development. From 1987 she has worked as an arts consultant and curator exploring environmental themes through exhibitions, most recently hosting a major sculpture show titled “Sculpture for this Animate Earth”. Other shows include: “Touchstones”, “In Celebration of Place”, and “The Heart of Matter”.
Public service has included: director of the Maine Environmental Education Association, board chair of the Maine Conservation School , Pownal School board member, Maine College of Art trustee, Olmsted Alliance trustee, chair for advisory board of the Harraseeket Project, founding director of the Pownal Education Foundation, and member of the Portland Public Arts Committee. She organized art shows in conjunction with the academic symposium, Teaching for the Environment: The Promise of the Earth Charter, where she explored academic themes through visual arts exhibitions.
Her doctoral research focuses insights from environmental art for environmental education. This includes the theory and practice of environmental education and research on the power of art to: increase perceptual awareness, provide insight to out understanding of natural systems, heal the nature/ culture divide, inspire participatory action, explore spiritual elements, and celebrate beauty. Of particular interest, is how the art making process can be a part of reflective environmental inquiry. Her thesis will explore how ecological artists are increasing environmental awareness and inspiring community action. Published articles include: Facing Our Relationship with Matter- the Art of Mierle Laderman Ukeles, and Community Collaboration for Place-based Studies-Integrating Local Natural and Cultural History.
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June LaCombe is an active scholar, educator, arts advocate and artist seeking to add depth to our love of Earth.
