Meet Beading Artist and Environmental Advocate Danielle Stickman
What beading, the land and advocacy means to Danielle Stickman.
Have Fun. Stay Curious. These are the words that come to mind when interacting with Max Romey’s work and that you can see on his website. Based in Anchorage, Alaska, Max combines watercolors, animation, and videography to share stories of local Alaskan and global communities and to shed light on complex environmental issues in an inviting and hopeful way. We recently shot a photoshoot in Alaska with Max and other local artists and activists where they donned the latest Public Lands gear and let the landscape inspire them. For Max, this resulted in a few beautiful sketches of the surrounding landscape. After the shoot, we sat down with Max to learn more about his work as an artist and activist.
Public Lands: The impacts of climate change are affecting every landscape around the world. However, the Arctic is warming up three times faster than the rest of the globe. What have you seen and what do you want people to know about what’s happening in Alaska?
Max: We are already seeing major fluctuations in Alaska. Initially, the changes happening here were so close I couldn’t put them in focus and thought I had to go somewhere exotic like to a rainforest to see the impacts of climate change and other issues. However, after traveling the world and deciding to return to Alaska (since there’s no place like home!), I realized those problems that had felt so far away were also happening in my backyard. Luckily, I learned that you can make a big impact in the community you’re part of.
It’s the stuff you do at home, your voice, your connection and your roots that give you the power to make real change. If you make a difference at home first, that change will spread.
Public Lands: You’re a Protect Our Winters (POW) Ambassador. How did that come about?
Max: I feel like no matter what we would’ve ended up connecting—it’s like groundwater–you eventually get to the same endpoint. It can feel scary and lonely when thinking about giant problems like climate change and it helps to work together with others. POW is an incredible group of people from all around the world who get that and are harnessing the adventurous outdoors state spirit to address the big complex issue of climate change. It makes something that used to seem scary be fun, which is what’s needed to face these issues.
