DiverseWorks and the Locke Surls Center for Art and Nature at Splendora Gardens present "A Gift From The Bower," an outdoor, multidisciplinary art exhibition within natural galleries formed by small clearings in the woods of Southeast Texas.

Originally conceived by artists James Surls and Charmaine Locke, the project is co-curated by Jack Massing and Xandra Eden to include newly commissioned works by 14 artists and artist teams. Each of the artworks is being created in collaboration with musicians, performers, and writers to create a unique experience in nature. Opening festivities include live performances and food and drink that will take place Earth Day Weekend.

As implied by its title, "A Gift from the Bower" has its starting point as a view of nature as a restorative, benevolent source. As the world experiences the unprecedented impacts of climate change, aspects of the flora and fauna of the grounds of LSCAN take a central role in a number of the artists’ works, while others focus on community, the environment, and our relationships to nature and land.

"A Gift from the Bower" will feature new work created by multiple generations of artists, including Leticia R. Bajuyo, Susan Budge and George Tobolowsky, John Calaway, Carlos Canul and Rachel Gardner, Lina Dib, Alton DuLaney, Ronald L. Jones, Sharon Kopriva, Charmaine Locke, Jack Massing, Sherry Owens and Art Shirer, Patrick Renner, Kaneem Smith, and James Surls.