Jesse Etelson is an American eco-artist, art educator, and environmental activist based in South Florida. His work blends fine art with environmental science and community engagement to address ecological issues like water quality, habitat loss, and sea-level rise.

Key Background & EducationEducation: He earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Painting from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD).

Training: In 2009–2010, he completed a pilot apprenticeship program with EcoArt South Florida, where he was mentored by prominent ecological artists Betsy Damon and Lynne Hull.

Recognition: He received the prestigious Art and Healing Network Award in 2013 for his work with at-risk youth and community art activism.

Major Projects and Activism

Etelson’s projects focus on building "Habitat Sculptures" and using community-driven design to restore local ecosystems:

Welcome Home Wildlife (Torry Island): In 2012, he directed a collaborative project on Torry Island in Lake Okeechobee. Working with local interns and residents, they cleared invasive plants and used the debris and rocks to build massive eco-art sculptures designed to restore native avian and wildlife habitats.

River Justice League: He is a founding member of this art activist group, which organized major clean water demonstrations in Florida that drew over 5,000 citizens.

Mangrove Park: He collaborated with the City of Stuart, Florida, to design community park plans aimed at engaging the public, cleaning local water, and protecting native coastal ecosystems.

Avian Nesting Shelters: Partnering with the Audubon Society, Etelson has designed and installed functional sculptural bird nesting shelters in areas stripped of native trees.

As an educator with over 15 years of experience, his teachings span Montessori schools, K-12 public education, and senior programs. His community strategies and case studies have also been published in the educational book Ecoart in Action.

Publications

Ecoart in Action: Activities, Case Studies, and Provocations for Classrooms and Communities (2022)His most prominent literary feature is in this comprehensive field guide published by New Village Press / NYU Press. Compiled by the global Ecoart Network, the book showcases over 20 years of international ecological art practices.His Contribution: Etelson is a featured author and contributor. He penned a dedicated case study section titled "Welcome Home Wildlife! Torry Island EcoArt Project" (pages 169–174).The Context: His writing serves as a curriculum model for educators, land managers, and scientists looking to combine community engagement with real-world habitat restoration.

The "Eco-Consciousness" Publication (2020)The project was selected for the Fall 2020 Eco-Consciousness Online + Billboard Exhibition, which was accompanied by an international printable catalog. Curated by abstract painter and environmentalist Eleanor Heartney, the initiative drew over 400 artwork submissions from 160+ artists globally, positioning Etelson alongside notable contemporary eco-artists.