Botanical Prints on Statewide Tour

Botanical prints from the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum (NSA) “Flora of Nebraska” series are on a statewide tour through spring of 2010. The display will be open for viewing for 1-2 months at each of the following arboretums:

February-March Scottsbluff—Panhandle Research Center Arboretum, Barb Schlothauer
April Beatrice Public Library Arboretum, Laureen Riedesel
May Lincoln—Pioneers Park Nature Center, Becky Seth
June Fremont—Midland Lutheran College Arboretum, Jordan Grummert Rasmussen
July-September Omaha—Lauritzen Gardens, Jennifer Evans
October-November Omaha—Metro Community College Arboretum, Addie Kinghorn
2010
December-January 2010 South Sioux City Arboretum and Library, Gene Maffitt
February-March 2010 Omaha—Joslyn Castle Trust Arboretum, Nano Little

       Included in the display is the 2009 print, a meticulous illustration of a fallen bur oak leaf. Winning artist Melissa Toberer of Omaha says botanical illustration suits her desire for “perceptive observation and meticulous craftsmanship.” Toberer enjoys venturing out in nature to find specimens to draw, “You really get to know something when you paint or draw it, and it is an amazing way to learn about the natural world.”
        The Arboretum sponsored its first botanical print competition in 1998, initially focussing primarily on botanical accuracy. At the recommendation of the Nebraska Arts Council, an additional “interpretive” category was added in recent years to allow for more creative or interpretive renderings of botanical subject matter.
        Botanical illustration has a long history but it is currently enjoying a resurgence in interest by artists, scientists and collectors, said Karma Larsen of the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum, “possibly because of how interdisciplinary it is—appealing to people in the arts, sciences, humanities and in environmental and regional studies—and also because of a growing awareness of the importance of native plants and our desire for a sense of place in our public and private landscapes.”

Nebraska Statewide Arboretum
P.O. Box 830715
Lincoln, NE 68583-0715
(402) 472-2971