National Museum of Australia's Dr George Main to chair Earth Canvas event

And that is an exceptionally powerful force for change, according to Dr George Main, who will lead an online panel discussion about the project on Saturday, November 14.

He has described the inaugural exhibition at the Albury LibraryMuseum as being "at the cutting edge of how we think about agriculture and our futures".

Earth Canvas has brought to life the work of regenerative farmers through the creative vision of some of Australia's leading contemporary artists.

The Border showing, featuring more than 70 artworks, is the first of nine exhibitions that will travel to four states before finishing at the Australian National Museum in Canberra in October, 2022.

Dr Main says the emphasis of the exhibition and its flow-on events - from curator talks to on-farm tours and the panel discussion - is connection.

The promise of regenerative farming, as its name suggests, is one of healing - of connectivity between the land and society.

"The exhibition looks at the big and relevant issues facing us today," he muses.

"It's offering a different vision of what it means to be human - that we do not always have to be outside of nature or imposing on it.

"That we can feed and house ourselves in ways that are good for nature - it's about choices we make."

Dr Main believes that as critical as scientific research and evidence-based argument is in discussing issues such as climate change and land management, it's only "part of the picture".

"We are humans with emotion," he begins.

"We are drawn to beauty and convinced by storytelling and that is why art offers a more wholistic way of understanding a situation.

"One of the problems is there is not enough space for this in western society.

"It is time for art and storytelling to rally and draw people to a position - so that we as a society are willing and able to respond to the enormous issues facing us today."

This Saturday's online panel discussion will involve artists Jo Davenport, Tony Nott and John Wolseley and include insights from Earth Canvas founder and regenerative farmer Gill Sanbrook with photos and film of the properties where artists drew their inspiration.

Dr Main says it's an opportunity for the community to understand and reflect on this vital conversation.

"There is a real energy in the regenerative agriculture movement and the fact Gill was able to attract some of Australia's leading contemporary and environmental artists to this project indicates its profound relevance," he says.

"My hope is that people will go away from this with a sense of hope and an understanding of the ways we can respond to the crisis of climate change and how we think about our country and land.

"And that it's up to us all to respond to these issues - because we are all intimately connected to farmland through the needs of our bodies to be fed and warm ... to be human."