Karen North Wells painted A View from Attucks Lane of Little Hathaway's Pond in Hyannis.

Nature has inspired art for thousands of years, ever since man first sketched landscapes on the walls of caves. Cape Cod’s beaches, forests, and marshes have been fertile ground for artistic inspiration since the Colonial era.

Current threats to the environment have put the Cape’s artists in danger of losing their muse. Two Cape nonprofits, the Barnstable Land Trust (BLT) and the Cotuit Center for the Arts, are working together on a unique community-wide event to raise awareness of the Cape’s critical environmental concerns.

This summer the two organizations will sponsor “Nature’s Canvas,” a celebration of nature and art on Cape Cod. The event will feature 70 artists’ interpretations of BLT’s extensive holdings. The trust has preserved 746 acres of land since the group’s inception 26 years ago as a private-membership organization. It is dedicated to preserving Barnstable’s open spaces and natural resources, including wetlands, sensitive watershed parcels, forests, and other valuable areas of open space.

From July 5 to August 1, the artists’ renderings—ranging from painting to photography and sculpture—will be for sale at the Cotuit Center for the Arts gallery at 4404 Route 28. Half of the profits will go to the artists; the other half will be duvuded between the two nonprofits.

BLT’s Executive Director Jaci Barton created “Nature’s Canvas” as part of the organization’s 25th anniversary festivities. “I thought it would be a great way to celebrate the land we have preserved,” says Barton. Jane Harvey, the trust’s development director, says the number of artists wishing to participate was inspiring. “The place was packed with artists,” says Harvey of the initial meeting. “There was a huge excitement level.” Jamie Wolf, Cotuit Center for the Arts’s director, echoes Harvey’s reaction. “It was amazing how many artists said, ‘Count me in!’ ” says Wolf. They really wanted to be part of it.”

Harvey explains that the goal of the event is to raise awareness of the valuable properties acquired by BLT and their importance to all Cape residents and visitors. “We have some magnificent properties that are open to the public,” says Harvey. “We would like people to know about these places for their own enjoyment, and to consider buying a painting to celebrate and help preserve one of those special places.”

Christine Duren, executive director of the Cotuit Center for the Arts, says the center wants to help people take home “a piece of Cape Cod,” while highlighting the work of local artists and contributing to the protection of the Cape’s fragile environment.

The Cotuit Center for the Arts will host a “Nature’s Canvas” reception on July 8 from 6 to 8 p.m. Artists will be present to speak with guests, and refreshments will be served. The center’s gallery will also have extended hours while the artwork is  on display.— Jason Cook

For more information, visit the Barnstable Land Trust’s Web site, www.blt.org, or the Cotuit Center for the Arts’s site at www.cotuitcenterforthearts.org.

 Jason Cook is an editorial intern at Cape Cod Life Publications.