AWA Talk: Understory: A Talk Night with Kevin Van Tighem and Neil Kathol – Feb. 17, 2026
February 20, 2026
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This talk night featured a discussion by Kevin Van Tighem about his new book ‘Understory’, as well as a short discussion by Neil Kathol about his in-person art show.
Kevin Van Tighem shared a few stories and thoughts on the conservation dilemma, based on his newest book, Understory: An Ecologist’s Memoir of Loss and Hope. Understory is described as “a deeply personal and evocative journey into the complexities of nature, grief, and the search for meaning in the autumn of life.”
The event included “The Outdoors Inside: Pictures of Nature Inside the AWA Cottage School,” an art show + sale featuring artist Neil Kathol’s collection of 60 oil paintings (6 x 8″ oils) that he completed over the course of 2025 for AWA’s “What’s Your 60?” challenge, with 60 percent of the sale of each painting translating to a donation to AWA. These paintings will be available for viewing at the AWA office for a limited time.
Watch the Zoom recording here.
Photos by S. Heerema, paintings by Neil Kathol.
