Legumes of Arizona
Illustrations
Exhibited
March 2012
Legumes include some 18,000 species - a major division of the world's botany, and a family of plants including alfalfa, soybeans, edible peas and beans. They're used as landscape plants and for medicine, shade, timber, firewood and windbreaks.
March, 2012 brings a chance to consider their role in art, with an exhibit of legume illustrations in the visitor center art gallery at Boyce Thompson Arboretum. The University of Arizona's Desert Legume Program is developing a botanical reference guide to Arizona members of the Fabaceae family: "Legumes of Arizona: An Illustrated Flora and Reference."
Meet the artists at their gallery opening reception March 3, Saturday, from 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Illustrations produced for the project are accurate scientific representations of plants, and also unique works of art, created by illustrators from Phoenix and Tucson. "Senna lindheimeriana" by Chris Bondante is shown at right; below and at left is an illustration of "Acacia salicina" by John Gerdes.
In addition to completed drawings the month-long exhibit will include the illustrators' work-in-progress samples, showing various stages of production. Daily admission to the Arboretum of $9 for adults, $4.50 for ages 5-12 includes the gallery, and this exhibit remains on display through March 31 during daytime business hours from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
"This is a unique opportunity to view original illustrations before they are published, and learn about the scientific illustration process," said Kirsten Lake, a curator of the exhibit and Project Coordinator for Legumes of Arizona and the UA Herbarium in Tucson."
When complete, the book will include descriptions of plants, distribution statements and distribution maps. What makes the project special is that we will also include information on ethnobotany, potential uses and cultivation. We want this book to serve as a reference for a broad audience, not just botanists. Cultivation information will allow for people to plan landscaping projects. Information on past and present uses can serve as a starting point for people who are exploring new uses.
Illustrations are a key part of the book. They can be used as a tool for identification and they provide readers with a visual representation of unique characteristics of species. In order to provide the necessary detail for this type of illustration, students must carefully study the plant, often using microscopes to look for important detail. However, the drawings are not merely mechanical renderings of plant anatomy. They also represent unique works of art. An artist's unique style and perspective is reflected in their work. In addition to accuracy, artists also strive to show the beauty of the plant. This is reflected in the layout of stem, fruit, and flower, and the artists use of lines. Read more about Legumes of Arizona: An Illustrated Flora and Reference
Lake said prints may be available for purchase. To inquire about prices or if you have questions about the project, please contact Kirsten Lake via email to klake@email.arizona.edu
Boyce
Thompson Arboretum is located at Highway 60 milepost #223, just three miles
west of the town of Superior - a drive of about one hour east of Phoenix or
two hours from Tucson (take Oracle Road North to Highway 79 past Florence
to Highway 60, then East for another 12 miles). Monthly exhibits may be seen
at our Visitor Center gallery daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. during March and April. Spring-Summer hours resume in September.
The Arboretum
is an Arizona State Park and daily admission must be paid to enter the Visitor
Center where the gallery is found. Admission is $7.50 for adults and $3 for
ages 5-12. Annual memberships at the Arboretum begin at $45, and include a
year's access, guest passes for your friends and family, along with many other
benefits. A membership may be purchased in the gift shop on the day of your
visit.
Review other recent gallery shows from...
Michael Madsen February, 2012
Bud HeissNovember-December, 2011
Mesa Art League September-October, 2011
Kim Hosey July-August, 2011
Pima College & CACApril, 2011
Jim Burns March, 2011
Kay Cummings February, 2011
Paul Kinslow January, 2011
Mesa Arts League September, 2010
Rick Cameron April , 2010
Nan
Lawrence March,
2010
Barbara AtkinsonFebruary,
2010
Nancy MatusJanuary,
2010
Barbara CoxDecember, 2009
Margaret WhittakerNovember,
2009
Artists of the Superstitions October, 2009
Marilyn Barton September, 2009
Gila Community College August,
2009
Deborah A. Lee June, 2009
Margie Porter May, 2009
Timm Chapman January, 2009
Paul Kinslow December, 2008
Maggie Leef November 2008
Sharon Sieben October 2008
Nicole
Royse September 2008
Judy
Bottler Photography May 2008
Bob Estrin Photography April 2008
Mary Isham Watercolors March 2008
Susan Strom and Cathy Franklin Lightning Photography
February, 2008
Arizona State Parks Plein Air Paintings
January, 2008
Carolyn Gray & Connie Thomas December, 2007
Jean Sullivan November, 2007
Sue
Cullumber October, 2007
Adriane Grimaldi September, 2007
Mesa Arts League June-July, 2007
Fred Charlton May, 2007
Paul Mudersbach March-April, 2007
Linda Kaiser February, 2007
Edith Kreueger-Nye December, 2006 - January, 2007
Cindy Carrillo October-November, 2006
Bob Rice September, 2006
Bud Heiss July-August, 2006
Mesa Arts League June-July, 2006
Sandy Tracey April-May, 2006
CJ Rider March, 2006
Jessica Green February, 2006
Steve Davidson January, 2006
Don & Carole Schupp December, 2005
Carolyn Gray November, 2005
Martha Burgess October, 2005
Boeing Photographers September, 2005
Lightning Lady Susan Strom July/August, 2005
Mesa Arts League June/July, 2005
Jeanette Bronson May, 2005
Tom Stanley April, 2005
Kathy McClure February-March, 2005
Pam Smyth January, 2005
Tina Faust December, 2004