By Jenny Zeller
Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest has brought FEMMEnomenal Bluegrass Botanicals, an exhibition by Gabriella Boros celebrating the extraordinary achievements of ten Kentucky women who changed history in a meaningful way with stories told through the lens of 10 native Kentucky plants, to the Murray Art Guild (MAG) Community Art Center in Murray. With the support of a 2020 Art Meets Activism grant from the Kentucky Foundation For Women, FEMMEnomenal Bluegrass Botanicals can be seen via a companion exhibition traveling to locations throughout the state in 2021 as well as at its semi-permanent location around the Lake Nevin Loop at Bernheim Forest.
As part of the organization’s Actions Beyond our Borders strategy, Bernheim recognizes that its mission of connecting people with nature extends outside the geographic boundaries of its vast forest and deliberately seeks out opportunities to bring the stories and lessons of nature to people throughout our region and far beyond.
The exhibition can be viewed at the MAG Community Art Center – a community-based non-profit organization dedicated to supporting arts enrichment – through October 16, 2021. A reception for the public will be held on Saturday, October 9 from 5 – 7 p.m. Follow the MAG Community Art Center Facebook page @murrayartguild for more information.
“We are thrilled to share Boros’ work with western Kentucky and are grateful to Jenny Zeller and to Bernheim for the opportunity. We would also like to thank Shannon Davis-Roberts and her husband Justin Roberts. Justin, Walk the Willow artist, participated in Bernheim’s Artist in Residence Program, and Shannon was instrumental in bringing the exhibit to Murray. The work is beautiful and inspiring in so many ways, we hope everyone comes out to see the exhibit.” ~ Debi Henry Danielson, Murray Art Guild’s Executive Director
The first stop on the exhibition tour was the Harmony Complex Building in downtown Louisville. This location has historical significance as it housed The Louisville Business Women’s Club from 1899 to 1911 and was founded at a time when women started entering the workplace, moving from rural areas to cities to find work and support themselves.
