ArtPlantae Today

Red Pine New Growth, © Debra Greenblatt, all rights reserved. Courtesy MacRostie Art Center

MacRostie Art Center has announced its exhibitions for September, including
Art from the Edge of the Boreal Forest featuring the work of ten Minnesota-based botanical artists. These artists have created an exhibition of artwork based on the trees, plants, birds, and insects of the boreal forest to help educate the public about the disruptive factors – such as fire, invasive species, and stressful climate conditions – that are affecting this ecosystem. Boreal forests cross most of the upper parts of North America. The forests of Minnesota are uniquely positioned on the edge of the boreal forest ecosystem, which makes them especially susceptible to ecological disturbances.

The artists launched their studies of boreal forests in 2010 and have consulted with Dr. Lee Frelich, a forest ecologist with the University of Minnesota, Dr. Gerald Niemi of the University of Minnesota-Duluth, and Jana Albers, DNR Forest Health Specialist. The artists have created work featuring botanically accurate images of trees, plants, birds, and insects. The species depicted were identified as most at risk for disappearing from the northern woods of Minnesota.

The artists used the following media to create their work: watercolor, gouache, pastels, acrylic, graphite, colored pencil, pen and ink and scratchboard.

The work in this exhibition distinguishes itself from most floral art in its botanical and scientific accuracy. It also separates itself from descriptive botanical and scientific illustration in its reverential and artistic spirit.

Climate Change Project
In partnership with University of Minnesota Extension and the Itasca Private Woodland Committee, MacRostie Art Center is presenting two special events in conjunction with the opening of this exhibition. On Saturday, September 7, there will be a bus tour to the SPRUCE climate change project at the Marcell Experimental Forest. This project is a partnership between the US Forest Service and Department of Energy and is examining the effects of climate change on peatlands and forests. The tour will be given by scientists working on the project. The bus will leave MacRostie Art Center at 8 AM and return at 12 PM. Pre-registration and a fee of $10 are required to attend the bus tour.

At 1 PM, after the bus tour, there will be a presentation by Dr. Lee Frelich at MacRostie Art Center about the current and projected effects of ecological disturbances on the forests of Minnesota. There is no cost to attend the talk with Dr. Frelich.

Both events are open to the public. For more information contact MacRostie Art Center at 218-326-2697.

You’re Invited!
Downtown art galleries and businesses are open 4-8 PM on Friday, September 6, 2013 for First Friday Art Walk. MacRostie Art Center will have food, wine, a demonstration by botanic artist Vicki Barth and artist talks at 6 PM. The First Friday reception is sponsored by Children’s Mental Health Service and is free and open to the public.

About the MacRostie Art Center
MacRostie Art Center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to community growth through the arts in northern Minnesota. The MAC exists to support and advance the work of professional artists in the region and build a community that recognizes, appreciates and celebrates art. They believe that art is central to the quality of life in northern Minnesota – as it is everywhere – and that the artists who create, sell, and exhibit art play a vital role in society.

MacRostie Art Center presents exhibitions, workshops, classes, festivals, lectures, and other activities to engage the community in the arts. They support artists by providing a well-established venue for exhibition and sale of work and they work to keep the arts visible as a defining part of the community.

Learn more about the MacRostie Art Center