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Rochester, N.Y. —
Family, friends, and others who were touched by the life of artist and environmentalist, Ms. Christine Sevilla joined to celebrate her life's work on Tuesday, April 5 at the Williams Gallery at First Unitarian Church in Rochester.
More than 100 pieces of Christine Sevilla's photography hung on the walls or sat in display cases as guests browsed through the images and placed bids on them in a silent auction.
Ms. Sevilla was murdered in her home by husband Timothy D. Wells in 2009 at the age of 57. Wells pleaded guilty to intentional second-degree murder and is serving prison time.
Despite the tragedy surrounding her story, it was a night of awe and appreciation for those who knew her by name.
"Although she died violently, it's important to remember that she didn't live that way," said friend Nora Bredes, adding, "It's been satisfying to create an event that truly celebrates Christine's vision in life."
Many remember her as a strong yet poised advocate for vulnerable wildlife, most notably in wetlands and Monroe County parks.
"She was meticulous, and sort of compellingly defiant whenever she needed to be without losing her grace," said David Semple of Fairport, who met Ms. Sevilla through the Genesee Valley Audobon Society. "She always presented herself with great beauty and professionalism."
Colleague Steve Daniel of Pittsford remembers her taking the lead in lobbying to end mountain biking in parks and to creating a wetland mitigation bank shortly before her death.
"Tonight is kind of bittersweet," he said. "Christine's spirit was here, and it's great to see so many people appreciating it."
Since Ms. Sevilla's death, a dozen of her friends and family have joined efforts with two local local non-profitst, the Genesee Land Trust and the Genesee Valley Audubon Society, to create the Christine Sevilla Wetland Preserve.
Proceeds from the auction will go toward building interpretive trails through the a 23-acre parcel in Caledonia that will include educational signs and information about the habitat for visitors. Funds will also underwrite reprinting of Ms. Sevilla’s brochure about invasive species titled “Garden Villains.”
Those who are involved with the project say it's a way for many to remember her efforts to protect natural environments by continuing what she started.
"Through this grassroots effort we can educate people in her memory," said Rachel Edwards, president of the Genesee Land Trust, which has made recent strides in preservation by acquiring the property rights to a 620-acre farm in Sodus called Alasa Farm, saving many plant and animal species from displacement.
Family, friends, and others who were touched by the life of artist and environmentalist, Ms. Christine Sevilla joined to celebrate her life's work on Tuesday, April 5 at the Williams Gallery at First Unitarian Church in Rochester.
More than 100 pieces of Christine Sevilla's photography hung on the walls or sat in display cases as guests browsed through the images and placed bids on them in a silent auction.
Ms. Sevilla was murdered in her home by husband Timothy D. Wells in 2009 at the age of 57. Wells pleaded guilty to intentional second-degree murder and is serving prison time.
Despite the tragedy surrounding her story, it was a night of awe and appreciation for those who knew her by name.
"Although she died violently, it's important to remember that she didn't live that way," said friend Nora Bredes, adding, "It's been satisfying to create an event that truly celebrates Christine's vision in life."
Many remember her as a strong yet poised advocate for vulnerable wildlife, most notably in wetlands and Monroe County parks.
"She was meticulous, and sort of compellingly defiant whenever she needed to be without losing her grace," said David Semple of Fairport, who met Ms. Sevilla through the Genesee Valley Audobon Society. "She always presented herself with great beauty and professionalism."
Colleague Steve Daniel of Pittsford remembers her taking the lead in lobbying to end mountain biking in parks and to creating a wetland mitigation bank shortly before her death.
"Tonight is kind of bittersweet," he said. "Christine's spirit was here, and it's great to see so many people appreciating it."
Since Ms. Sevilla's death, a dozen of her friends and family have joined efforts with two local local non-profitst, the Genesee Land Trust and the Genesee Valley Audubon Society, to create the Christine Sevilla Wetland Preserve.
Proceeds from the auction will go toward building interpretive trails through the a 23-acre parcel in Caledonia that will include educational signs and information about the habitat for visitors. Funds will also underwrite reprinting of Ms. Sevilla’s brochure about invasive species titled “Garden Villains.”
Those who are involved with the project say it's a way for many to remember her efforts to protect natural environments by continuing what she started.
"Through this grassroots effort we can educate people in her memory," said Rachel Edwards, president of the Genesee Land Trust, which has made recent strides in preservation by acquiring the property rights to a 620-acre farm in Sodus called Alasa Farm, saving many plant and animal species from displacement.
The images themselves were striking. Shots of local scenes like cattails poking through a black pond at Durand Eastman Park, or cool reflections of leaves in a shady overhang at Ellison Park. Bursts of color in flora and fauna hung on both wide canvases and in small frames as onlookers got a peek into what Ms. Sevilla saw behind the lens.
Her theme of preservation was not limited to wildlife, however. Her use of irony in the piece, "Thanatopsis 'Neighborhood Elegy" is one example of Ms. Sevilla's perspective. It uses 12 photographs of different houses on Ridge Road in Greece ready to be demolished to make room for a Walmart Supercenter.
On top of each photo was a transparent painting (done by her father) of the same house in warm, lively colors. The contrast of the layered images was emphasized by her written commentary: "That insatiable material desire, the familiar ecstasy of excess — at the lowest prices."
Even in her death, he visual art will allow her voice and message to live on. As Nora Bredes explained,
"She saw her artwork as a way to get us inspired to save these natural spaces that without us would disappear."
