In 1998, the founder of the American Society of Botanical Artists, Dr. Diane Barthel-Bouchier, wrote an article about the “botanical art revival” occurring worldwide and how botanical art can be used to bring awareness to ecological issues. In her article she included several suggestions about how to use botanical art as a platform for teaching about plants and the environment.
Her suggestions are featured below with the hope they inspire artists and teachers to observe nature in a new way. Each suggestion is accompanied by a supporting example.
Dr. Barthel-Bouchier suggests:
- Creating an exhibition about endangered plants and involving local organizations and school groups with similar interests.
Kate Nessler’s inspired effort to increase public awareness of a 71-acre virgin prairie is cited as an example. A more current example is the exhibition, Losing Paradise? Endangered Plant Species Here and Around the World, featuring plant portraits of endangered and threatened plants by artists of the American Society of Botanical Artists (ASBA). This exhibition has been touring the country and will open at the Chicago Botanic Garden next month. Learn more - Engaging adult students in structured botanical art programs.
In 1998, there were three certificate programs in botanical art. Today there are certificate programs across the country, a correspondence course, a program with satellite locations in three states, and an online distance learning option for beginning artists. And don’t forget the many learning opportunities available at gardens and other venues. - Forming botanical art organizations or sponsoring chapters of existing societies.
The ASBA was formed in 1994 and now has eight chapters across the U.S. The ASBA recently created “Artist Circles” for members who wish to work with other artists in a friendly, supportive environment without having to adopt the formal structure of a traditional chapter (think “botanical art MeetUp”). - Sponsoring workshops combining ecology and art.
The collaborative effort between Denver Botanic Garden and El Charco del Ingenio is a fine example. - Using botanical art in publications and collaborating with other agencies.
The publication program at Denver Botanic Garden (DBG) is cited as an example in Barthel-Bouchier’s article and still serves as the perfect example eleven years later. Artists in the DBG program create illustrations for various publications. See the program’s blog for examples. - Sponsoring ecological art tours.
Mindy Lighthipe’s tour to Costa Rica serves as a great example of a workshop combining art, ecology, and adventure. - Involving school children in courses and exhibitions.
The botanical art exhibition at the Cora Hartshorn Arboretum earlier this year is a nice example.
How do you incorporate art and ecology
into your artistic and/or educational activities?
(please comment below)
ArtPlantae Today 
Here are examples of using art to teach ecology. This is the website of natural science illustrator, Frank Ippolito. Go to http://www.productionpost.com/ecology.htm
Watercolor illustrations and digital illustrations are used to create an activity book for the “Junior Ranger” program at Joshua Tree National Park.
http://christineelderartnews.blogspot.com/2009/12/new-book-for-joshua-tree-national-park.html
Since this article was published in December 2009, we’ve learned about additional online learning opportunities and how teachers and artists blend art and ecology. For example…
Elaine Searle’s online classes at http://www.paintbotanical.com and Mark Granlund’s online classes at http://theartistsbrain.blogspot.com.
Also see the teachers and artists featured in the Teaching & Learning sidebar to the right of this post, as well as the artists and educators featured during National Environmental Week (scroll down to see sidebars).