Artist Tanya Piatz. Photo provided. 

By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - April 26, 2024

Raising awareness about conservation through art has been done before, but Minnesota artist Tanya Piatz brings a fresh perspective. Focusing on local Minnesota species and creating art highlighting habitat loss and the importance of shared spaces in a unique way, she sets her work apart within this established genre.

When Piatz was little, she spent most of her time outdoors. "My family and I spent weeknights driving around rural areas to look for wildlife. That’s when I first noticed how people can really impact the environment," she told Boreal Community Media. 

 Artwork by Tanya Piatz. Image submitted. 

A love of the outdoors and drawing merge

When she wasn't spending time outside, she was drawing - something she's always enjoyed. And while she took some art classes in high school, she never went to college for fine arts. On her website, she refers to herself as a "self-taught artist" who focuses on bringing awareness to conservation issues worldwide. Her inspiration comes from things she experienced during her upbringing, ongoing conservation efforts, and her passion for native habitats and shared spaces.

"I have watched meadows be turned into housing developments and seen the same wildlife that was once there, gone. I have also been able to witness the reintroduction of some species to the area be successful like Sandhill Cranes, Bald Eagle, and Wild Turkeys," she said.

 Western Meadowlark. Artwork by Tanya Piatz. Image provided. 

Showcasing her artwork

Piatz will be showcasing her artwork at the Johnson Heritage Post in Grand Marais, Minnesota starting this week. The Gallery Exhibit, titled "Species of Special Concern" features Piatz's drawings of birds that are currently listed on the Minnesota DNR's Endangered, Threatened, and Special Concern Species List. According to the MN DNR, a species is listed as a "special concern species" when "It is extremely uncommon in Minnesota, or has unique or highly specific habitat requirements and deserves careful monitoring of its status. Species on the periphery of their range that are not listed as threatened may be included in this category along with those species that were once threatened or endangered but now have increasing or protected, stable populations." These species are not considered as endangered or threatened. 

She picked species from this list because "I felt that others may have a connection to some of the species already, and it’s easier to have a concern if you already know about the species or if you know the species is local."

Shared spaces and native habitats

Many of the birds on the MN DNR Species of Concern list migrate as far as South America and north of us into Canada. With her artwork, Piatz aims to bring awareness to the importance of native habitats and shared spaces. "What we do in Minnesota will impact the numbers of those who see them in Mexico, Brazil, Canada, and everywhere in between, and vice versa. Our lands are connected and shared."

With her pieces, she showcases this awareness by drawing the species in its ideal habitat in color, and the habitat loss or reasons for population decline in pencil and grays. "I hope to create a separation with the species, to amplify the problem. However, I do it in pencils because we can "erase" the problem. We still have many opportunities to ensure the health and vitality of our habitat and the wildlife found within."

LeConte’s Sparrow. Artwork by Tanya Piatz. Image provided. 

A focus on birds

The MN DNR Species of Concern list isn't just about birds; there are all sorts of species included. So, why birds? Piatz says the first reason is because of the number of birds on the list itself: 92, which provides a lot of options to work through. She also shared that she enjoys birding. Additionally, "Birds are an indicator species; not all of them are very adaptable to changing habitats/climate. They can provide information on the overall health of the environment." The other answer is that I enjoy watching them and spending my free time birding. 

Eventually, she would like to work on other species on the list, which is set to be updated in 2025. 

Staying hopeful

Focusing on declining species and a loss of native habitats can be difficult, but Piatz says that identifying the things she can control as well as large-scale projects taking place to mitigate the loss helps. "Honestly it fluctuates day by day, but I know that I can revert my gardens to native species to create a habitat that all different types of species thrive in, I know I can put decals on my windows to prevent bird collisions, and I know there are other individuals and organizations involved in habitat management that are thinking about the long term effects of climate change, like helping trees migrate to better-suited climates." 

She also hopes that her artwork can make a difference to those who view it by inspiring people to get outdoors and learn about what they're seeing. "For myself, once I started to learn their [species] names I started to really see the distinction of each one. They became individuals and I noticed when some appeared early, late, or infrequently. It has changed my perception of the forests, lakes, land, and sky. I am certain your world will open up if you do take the time."

To learn more about Tanya Piatz, visit her website here. 

Species of Special Concern, featuring the work of Tanya Piatz, opens on April 26, 2024, through May 19, 2024, at the Johnson Heritage Post Art Gallery in Grand Marais. 

An opening reception will take place on April 26, 2024, from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM. Complimentary refreshments will be served. Learn more here.

Piatz will also be presenting an Artist Talk at the Johnson Heritage Post Art Gallery on Thursday, May 16, 2024, at 5:00 PM.

To learn more about the Johnson Heritage Post Art Gallery, click here.