Callie McCarty is a senior at Georgia College & State University, majoring in Art with a concentration in Graphic Design. Raised in Monroe, Georgia, her work explores the preservation and awareness of birds. After graduating, Callie intends to pursue graphic design and hopes to earn her MAT in the near future.
Project Statement
Avian Preserve is my fabricated nonprofit organization dedicated to the conservation and protection of bird species in their natural habitats. With over seventeen billion pounds of plastic waste entering the ocean annually, the ecological threats facing bird populations are growing at an alarming rate. Pollution is a major contributor to bird mortality, often resulting in ingestion of or entanglement in plastic waste, in many different environments, highlighting the area of concern. Avian Preserve was founded to raise awareness of these urgent pollution issues and to promote action against them through design, sustainability, painting, and graphic arts. The organization uses creative expression to communicate the harmful effects of pollution on birds and their ecosystems, turning environmental advocacy into a compelling visual narrative for viewers to take from. The main mission of Avian Preserve is to educate, inspire, and activate. Encouraging individuals to explore the environmental challenges impacting bird species, the mission strives to take even small, meaningful steps toward a healthier planet for the species to thrive in. Through its innovative and artistic approach, Avian Preserve fosters a deeper understanding of the connection between human activity and the well-being of bird populations.
Artist Statement
Birds have always been a concept of interest throughout my artistic evolution. The effects of degradation by means of human waste on birds or nature play a fundamental role in my artwork. I began my art journey with oil-based paintings, but I have since branched out to using forms of graphic design as well. The roles of environmental corruption are fundamental in the overall narrative of my art. Using the vital role habitats in nature provide for birds and the impact of human pollution, I am evoking empathy and shedding light on the profound impact of this devastation for viewers. In doing so, I can help bring awareness to the creatures who have been a significant muse for my artwork since the very beginning of my artistic journey.
