Robert Redford and Sibylle Szaggars Redford to be honored at Brushwood Center

On Friday, June 1, Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods will honor the environmental leadership of Robert Redford and Sibylle Szaggars Redford at its 35th Annual Smith Nature Symposium and Benefit. Immediately preceding the event, Brushwood Center will present the Chicago premiere performance of "The Way of The Rain - Voice of Hope, for Brushwood Center," a collaboration of Artistic Director Sibylle Szaggars Redford and Music Director and composer Tim Janis.

The Smith Nature Symposium and Benefit is a celebration of nature, the arts, and luminaries who have made a meaningful contribution to the science of conservation and deepened understanding of the natural world.

"Brushwood Center is thrilled to present our distinguished environmental leadership award to the Redfords. They are an inspiring couple who use their voices and artistic talent to call attention to the importance of nature," said Catherine Game executive director of Brushwood Center.

"They are champions for nature by protecting land, speaking out on issues like climate change, and using the arts to inspire all of us," said A. Gail Sturm, Brushwood Center board member and chair of the planning committee. "They use their extraordinary talents to inspire, educate and reach people to evoke action to care for our earth, vital to life's existence."

In addition to his work as an actor, director and producer, Robert Redford has been an environmental activist since the early 1970s. He has been an advocate for climate change awareness and clean energy for over 40 years. In 2016 he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama. He has served as trustee for the Natural Resources Defense Council and is the co-founder of The Redford Center with his son Jamie.

"Bylle and I are honored to receive this award at Brushwood Center, a place that, provokes thought and provides inspiration to protect our natural world," Redford said.

Sibylle Szaggars Redford has worked as a multimedia environmental artist for more than three decades raising awareness of unsound environmental practices through her art. Since 2012 Szaggars Redford has created art performances as an homage to planet Earth and in 2015 founded The Way of the Rain Inc., Non Profit, to promote public awareness around the issue of climate change.

Szaggars Redford is the artistic director of "The Way of The Rain - Voice of Hope," which will be performed at the Gorton Community Center prior to the benefit, thanks to the underwriting support of Nancy Hughes. The performance will feature talented musicians from around the world including music composed by Tim Janis, and spoken word by Robert Redford.

"By partnering with Brushwood Center on this production, I hope the audience is reminded of both the beauty and fragility of our planet," Szaggars Redford said. "The closer connection we feel to Mother Earth, the better chance we have to preserve it for future generations."

All funds raised from the symposium directly benefit Brushwood Center's nature-inspired art, wellness and education programs. The symposium memorializes the significant civic legacy of Hermon Dunlap and Ellen Thorne Smith, who donated their land and cabin to help form Ryerson Woods. This year's symposium is made possible thanks to support from Abbott.

To purchase tickets to the Smith Nature Symposium and Benefit and "The Way of The Rain" performance, visit www.brushwoodcenter.org.

Smith Nature Symposium and Benefit

Events take place Friday, June 1. The Gorton Community Center is at 400 E. Illinois Road, Lake Forest. Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods is at 21850 N. Riverwoods Road, Riverwoods.

Gorton Community Center

4 p.m. Performance of "The Way of The Rain - Voice of Hope, for Brushwood Center" in the John and Nancy Hughes Theater

Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods

5:30 p.m. Cocktail Reception and Opening Exhibition of Rain Paintings by Sibylle Szaggars Redford

7 p.m. Dinner Program, moderated by Bill Kurtis and Donna La Pietra with guests Robert Redford and Sibylle Szaggars Redford