Gallery
Art and nature intersect

   Naturally Narragansett

Ecological Art Comes To Newport

by Kelly Stoos
July 2006


With its bright green exterior, it's difficult to miss the narrow storefront that popped up this spring like a budding plant on Newport's eclectic Broadway. Alan Kettler opened the doors of Naturally Narragansett, "New England's only ecological arts showroom," in February. He defines ecological art as "services and products that are about nature, beauty and the environment, done as organically and ecologically as possible." This serves as the nucleus of his diverse collection of work.

The gallery is new, but Kettler's career as an environmental artist began 30 years ago. Since then, his work has grown and adapted right along with the environmental movement. Kettler practices graphic arts, photography, writing, painting, and landscape design. He has designed maps and graphics for the National Geographic Society, Smithsonian Magazine, Time Life Books, and others. "That work will not just hang on a wall," he says. "It will go out to educate the public."

Kettler works as an organic landscape designer, using native species to create gardens for homes, businesses and special events. He also creates and publishes eco-tourism maps, loaded with helpful tips for nature enthusiasts. His latest is an outdoor adventure map of Block Island. "I want to use my art to get people out enjoying the Earth," he says.

Being an artistic entrepreneur has not been a simple or predictable path. "I have to make a lot of this stuff up as I go along. There is a lot of gambling, risk, and emotion as I invest in new ventures," he says. He hopes the Newport gallery will attract visitors, market his work, and create opportunities to collaborate with other artists.

The walls of the gallery attest to Kettler's wide-ranging talents and adaptability. Birdhouses, posters, photographs, furniture, and strings of sculpted lights fill the space. Concern for the environment is evident in every detail; all the products are constructed from recycled metal, wood, or paper. With the gallery, Kettler's career continues to grow as organically as his gardens.

For more info about Naturally Narragansett, visit the Web site or stop by the gallery at 156 Broadway, in Newport.


                         

Top photo and portrait by Kelly Stoos, all other pictures courtesy of Kettler Ecological Design.

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