Botanical art of the sonoran desert:  past & present


In celebration of the long tradition of botanical art, the Sonoran Desert Florilegium Program of the Tucson Cactus and Succulent Society in partnership with The Art Institute of the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum presented examples of engravings, lithographs, illustrations, drawings, and paintings of Sonoran Desert plants from the past to the present. The exhibit featured past works by internationally regarded botanical illustrators as well as works by contemporary botanical artists.

Older examples of botanical art were displayed within the historical context of both the Sonoran Desert Region and botanical art in general. The exhibit began with original works created by contemporary artists that had been juried into the exhibit. It then continued from the oldest pieces through to the present, ending with illustrations from current projects involving botanical art.

The Florilegium Program believes it is important to work with individuals and institutions within the community to educate scientists and the public about botanical art. For this exhibit the Florilegium Program worked with the University of Arizona Herbarium, the Desert Botanical Garden, the Arizona Museum of Natural History, the Southwestern Society of Botanical Artists, and individual artists and art collectors within the community to secure works for the exhibit.

The exhibit in its entirety can be viewed online here.

The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum / Ironwood Gallery,
Tucson, Arizona

August 24 - October 27, 2013