Pat Brentano

Passion for endangered species and native habitat inspires Pat's work as an artist and educator. She uses her visual voice to speak for trees, understory and the creatures that depend on nature for survival. Pat believes we do not own nature, we are part of it.

In 2012, PBS nationally aired the NJN State of the Arts documentary about Pat as an artist and environmentalist. The Institute for Women's Leadership at Rutgers also produced a documentary about her work as part of their Transforming Lives Project.

Pat developed a spiritual attachment to the natural world growing up in southern Indiana. Her work is rooted in direct observation and a felt sense of nature. She transformed her suburban yard into a native habitat to benefit the migratory birds as well as the local environment. Much of her inspiration comes from her own back yard. Pat has partnered with NJ Audubon and The Nature Conservancy of Indiana to create site specific installations and present workshops. She has received commissions from environmental organizations and hospitals as well as private collectors. As an educator Pat gives talks and a workshop about learning to see and reconnect to nature.

Her work has been exhibited in museums and galleries throughout the Mid-Atlantic States. She is a NJ State Council on the Arts Individual Fellow, and a Puffin Grant Recipient. Pat's work on endangered birds received the Curators award at the Chesterwood Museum in MA., and landed her a residency at I-Park and the Evansville Museum. She received a BFA from Washington University and an MFA from Tyler School of Art. Pat resides in Westfield, NJ.