Nature's Foundations 5

Join the Nature's Foundations 5 artists for opening night (registration required): 6-8pm, Friday 2 October 2026. Some drinks and light refreshments will be provided.

Initiated in 2019, Nature Foundation’s Artist Residency Program offers artists the chance to immerse themselves in the inspiring landscapes of Nature Foundation’s vast Witchelina and Hiltaba Nature Reserves, responding to these remote South Australian landscapes through distinct but complementary creative practices.

The 2025 program featured a diverse group of talented artists, and the artwork from their residencies is on display at Light Square Gallery, inviting the audience to appreciate different perspectives inspired by nature.

Stephen Bowers

The work of South Australian-based artist Stephen Bowers has been exhibited worldwide and is primarily informed by natural history. Stephen undertook his residency at Hiltaba Nature Reserve. His exploration of the area, accompanied by a qualified geologist, resulted in the creation of a series of detailed and decorative ceramics featuring native Australian birds that may (or may not) be seen at Hiltaba.

Jane Evans

Kangaroo Island-based artist Jane Evans has a professional background as a Freshwater Biologist, which gives her a unique ability to understand and interpret the natural environment in intricate detail. Jane shared her residency across both Hiltaba and Witchelina Nature Reserves. Working across acrylic, printmaking and mixed media on a variety of surfaces, her work celebrates the character, behaviour and quiet beauty of native fauna.

Emma Neill

Emerging artist Emma Neill lives and works on a farm in the Adelaide Hills. Her residency spanned both Hiltaba and Witchelina Nature Reserves, where she was drawn to the extraordinary compositions created by nature over millions of years. En plein air studies and drone imagery were used to document her exploration, which was then translated into oil paintings celebrating the landscapes she experienced.

Exhibition dates: Saturday 3 October – Friday 23 October 2026

Regular opening hours:

• Saturdays: 10am – 2pm

• Monday – Friday: 9am – 5pm (Closed Monday 5 October)

• Sundays: Closed

Artworks will be available to browse and purchase online.

About Nature Foundation

Established in 1981 by four passionate conservationists, Nature Foundation is an apolitical not-for-profit NGO that provides evidence-based conservation work in Australia. As a leading conservation organisation and private land conservatory in South Australia, Nature Foundation invests in conserving and protecting Australia’s unique biodiversity, precious landscapes, and native flora and fauna to ensure their survival for future generations.

Nature Foundation own and manage ten nature reserves across South Australia, comprising over 500,000 hectares in which it implements conservation projects designed to bring biodiversity benefits and protection. This land encompasses almost 43% of all private nature reserves in South Australia and 15% nationally. In total the organisation has assisted in protecting over 1.15 million hectares of South Australian landscape and wetlands.

For over 40 years Nature Foundation has been committed to using science-led solutions to tackle biodiversity challenges, engage with community, address knowledge gaps, protect habitats, and save native species. Nature Foundation offers environmental consultancy services and investment in a broad portfolio of activities, including scientific research, education in conservation, conservation land management, and increasing the area protected and managed for nature conservation.