Exploring Climate Change Through Art

Toby Wright Campus Residency

From September 16-19, 2025 the Sorenson Impact Institute will welcome Toby Wright, acclaimed landscape artist and instructor at the Florence Academy of Art, for a week-long campus residency exploring the intersection of art, climate science, and environmental humanities.

Throughout the week, Wright will lead a series of interdisciplinary events: film screenings and discussions of his documentary Workshop with a Ghost, as well as guest lectures, class presentations and hands-on outdoor sketching workshops.

Upcoming Events:

Film Screening + Interdisciplinary Panel Discussion

Tuesday, September 16, 5:00–7:00 PM | Impact and Prosperity Epicenter Forum

Screening of Workshop with a Ghost, Wright’s documentary co-created with The Convergence and director Elise Orlowski, chronicling his journey through the Alps, recreating iconic landscape paintings by artists such as Sargent and Turner to highlight the impact of climate change on these once pristine environments. An interdisciplinary panel discussion with university experts will follow, addressing topics such as the role of the arts in climate communication, current trends in climate research, and how impact investing can contribute to environmental solutions.

Panelists:

Toby Wright, Instructor, Florence Academy of Art
Dr. Bill Anderegg, Professor, School of Biological Sciences; LeadershipTeam Member, The Wilkes Center for Climate Science & Policy
Dr. Mitchell Power, Professor, School of Environment, Society & Sustainability; Curator of Botany, NHMU
Hunter Conrad, Manager, Impact Investing, Sorenson Impact Institute
Katie Macc, CEO, Sorenson Impact Institute (Moderator)

Film Screening + Curator Conversation

Natural History Museum of Utah | Level 5 Swaner Forum | Thursday, September 18, 6–7:30pm

Following a screening of Workshop with a Ghost, Wright will engage in a discussion with Lisa Thompson, “Climate of Hope” exhibit developer and interpretive planner at NHMU, about positive ways to advance climate awareness and action in response to ongoing scientific and conservation developments.

Guests will then be invited to explore the “Climate of Hope” exhibition located outside of the Swaner Forum event space on the 5th floor of the Museum.

Community-Based Sketching Workshops

Toby Wright looking at mountain range with snow

Thursday, September 18, 10am – 12pm | Impact Prosperity Epicenter Building

Join internationally acclaimed landscape artist Toby Wright for a campus-based sketching workshop that brings together art, place, and environmental storytelling, designed for University of Utah students.

The event will begin at the Impact and Prosperity Epicenter, home of the Sorenson Impact Institute, located on the University of Utah campus. From there, participants will explore a variety of scenic and architectural viewpoints across campus, using the landscape as inspiration for observational sketching.

Register Here

Friday, September 19, 9:30am – 12pm | Living Room Trail

Join internationally acclaimed landscape artist Toby Wright for a community-based sketching workshop that brings together art, place, and environmental storytelling.

During this immersive outdoor workshop, campus and community members will:

Learn classical sketching techniques from Wright, an alumni instructor at the Florence Academy of Art.
Explore art as a powerful medium for environmental observation, reflection, and storytelling.

Participants will gather at The Natural History Museum of Utah on the University of Utah campus before hiking to the Living Room Trailhead, where they’ll sketch panoramic views of Utah’s Wasatch Mountains.