Elegance and Detail of Plant Life Showcased in Botanical Art and Illustration Exhibition
February 21, 2008 – 12:59 pm
Crystal Bridges at the Massey hosts drawings from around the world Diverse educational programming planned
BENTONVILLE, Ark., Feb. 22, 2008 – The precision and beauty of nature’s most striking flora and fauna will come to life through a traveling exhibition series opening Saturday, March 1, at Crystal Bridges at the Massey, 125 W. Central, just off the square in downtown Bentonville. The International Exhibition of Botanical Art and Illustration includes 71 artworks in a variety of media including watercolor, pen and ink, and woodblock prints created by 51 contemporary botanical artists from around the world.
On display through May 4, the exhibition is on loan from the Hunt Institute of Botanical Documentation, a research division of Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Penn. Talented botanical artists are sought out every three years to be showcased in this remarkable exhibition, which this year features artworks from 12 countries including Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, England, Italy, Japan, Scotland, Sweden, the United States and Wales.
According to Chris Crosman, chief curator, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, botanical illustration has its roots in science, helping botanists and scientists easily recognize plants in their various forms, including cross-sections, root structures and life stages. “This exhibition demonstrates the beauty that can be found when art and nature are intertwined,” said Crosman. “Botanical illustrations reflect how complex and ephemeral plant life can be, while at the same time the moment captured in the artwork allows us to examine it for a lifetime.”
“We are experiencing a renaissance of botanical art, and these works reflect the artistic passion and patience necessary for understanding and documenting aspects of the intriguing life-cycle of plants,” said Lugene Bruno, assistant curator of art, Hunt Institute.
The Hunt Institute established this changing international exhibition series in 1964 to support and encourage botanical artists worldwide, Bruno added. “The artwork may have been created for scientific studies, publications, gallery exhibitions or other commercial applications, but each artist brings a personal aesthetic sensibility to the subject,” she said.
Exhibition-related programming
The Crystal Bridges education staff has planned a wide variety of enrichment programs ranging from children’s art-making activities to lunch gallery tours to help visitors learn more about the botanical art genre and explore the intricacies of the artwork itself. All activities are open to the public and are free of charge unless otherwise noted.
Children’s Programs:
March 6 – Plants & Paints (watercolors)
April 3 – Flower Power (create a paper bouquet)
May 1 – Art in Bloom (colored pencils)
Family Time at the Massey:
March 9 – Picturing Plants (crafts, facts, storytelling and more)
First Friday Flicks & Food:
March 7 – Documentary on Kent Bonar, The Naturalist
April 4 – The Music Garden with Yo-Yo Ma
May 2 – The Private Life of Plants by David Attenborough
Garden Club Members:
March 17 – Going Green! Garden Club Day at the Massey.
Brown Bag Lunch Gallery Tours:
April 18 – Gallery Talk & Brown Bag Lunch Gallery Tour with Sarah King
April 25 – Book Signing & Brown Bag Lunch Gallery Tour with Libby Kyer
Artist Workshop:
April 26 – The Power of Colored Pencils in Botanical Illustration with Libby Kyer
NOTE: There is a $50 participation fee for this workshop; materials are not included.
Crystal Bridges at the Massey
Crystal Bridges at the Massey is a temporary exhibit space and educational and community resource for Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. Located on the first floor of the historic Massey Building just off the square in downtown Bentonville, the facility provides an opportunity for the public to discover art and traveling exhibits, experience arts-based educational programs, and learn more about the world class Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art opening in 2010. Hours of operation are:
- Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Sunday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information about Crystal Bridges at the Massey, visit massey.crystalbridges.org or call 479-418-5700.
For more information about the Hunt Institute and its programs visit huntbot.andrew.cmu.edu.
