CHESTERTOWN, MD—John Ruppert, the first Distinguished Visitor of Washington College’s SANDBOX project, will speak about his work Thursday, November 21, at 4 p.m. in Hynson Lounge, Hodson Hall. A reception will follow. Co-sponsored by the nonprofit arts organization River Arts, the event is free and open to the public.

In his talk, “John Ruppert - The Artifice of Nature,” the artist will follow the evolution of his work in relation to his experiences and his interest in natural phenomena. He also will share some of his observations about the kinds of collaborative creative work the Chestertown community might undertake through SANDBOX and other initiatives.

Ruppert’s work was exhibited in Kohl Gallery for a month beginning September 6. He has since returned to campus on several occasions, exploring the local environment and joining professor Karl Kehm and Christian Krahforst, a Mellon Postdoctoral Fellow with the Center for Environment and Society, in their scientific investigations. 

Formerly the chair of the Department of Art at the University of Maryland, College Park, John Ruppert has more than 40 years of artistic experience. After receiving a bachelor’s degree in art and education from Miami University of Ohio, he obtained a master’s degree in fine arts at the Rochester Institute of Technology. His projects focus on nature and the nature of materials, and he describes his work as “inspired by natural phenomena and by man’s manipulation of nature.” He mainly works with stone and metals such as copper, iron, zinc and bronze. Ruppert’s work is featured in private collections in the United States, Asia, South America and Europe and has been included in more than 20 solo shows, including exhibitions at Baltimore’s C. Grimaldis Gallery and the former Franz Bader Galley in the nation’s capital.

Each fall, the SANDBOX project, officially called Sandbox: The Washington College Program for Creativity and the Environment, will welcome a Distinguished Visitor to collaborate with students and faculty on a creative project that incorporates and addresses environmental concerns unique to Chestertown or the Chester River region. Through “Sandstorms” (experimental events teaming creative minds from different disciplines), lectures, films, and course development, SANDBOX focuses on opportunities for collaboration across the arts and sciences.


The nonprofit RiverArts engages the Chestertown community in the appreciation and support of the arts through exhibitions, classes, lectures and special events.