The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum and the Andersen Horticultural Library are excited to present a long-term project to document the plant and animal species at the Arboretum.

Former Minnesota governor Elmer L. Andersen, for whom Andersen Horticultural Library (AHL) is named, wrote in his autobiography that he likes to think in terms of one hundred years.  We are approaching this project in a similar vein, aware that it will be ongoing. The mission of the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum – Andersen Horticultural Library Flora and Fauna Illustrata is to document the Arboretum’s plants and animals through scientifically-accurate fine art. The Andersen Horticultural Library permanently documents and archives the art and facilitates periodic exhibitions of the art. The collection provides a visual regional and national resource to aid research and serves to inspire learning, discovery, and enjoyment. View selected work archived at UMedia.

Next submission deadline is May 20, 2021. Jury consideration will be Monday, May 24.

Check out our coloring pages derived from FFI tree artwork!

Below are the flora and fauna categories that are currently being accepted, however we are accepting entries for any plant or animal found on the 1,200+ acres of the MLA or the University of Minnesota Horticultural Research Center (HRC). Submit your work for jury consideration and the opportunity to participate in this exciting new permanent archive!

FFI #4: Prairie Plants and Animals
The Great North American prairie was once our continent’s largest, most diverse ecosystem. Today, prairie is this country’s most devastated, misunderstood, and misused native ecosystem. In Minnesota, less than one-tenth of one percent of prairie remains. For this call, we invite artists to select a prairie plant or its parts, or a prairie animal (including insects, birds, etc.) and render it in scientifically accurate fine art (excluding photography and digital art).

Flora #3: Minnesota Hardy Plants
2018 marked the 60th anniversary of the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum and the 110th anniversary of the Horticultural Research Center. To honor the numerous apple, grape, tree, azalea and other plant varieties introduced by the University of Minnesota, we invite artists to select a specific “MN Hardy” plant or its parts and render it in scientifically accurate two-dimensional fine art (excluding photography).

Flora #2: Spring Plants
A wide variety of native wildflowers and a record 70,000 bulbs will be blooming this spring at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. Select a specific plant or its part and render it in scientifically accurate two-dimensional fine art (excluding photography).

Flora #1: Trees
The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is home to more than 5,000 different types of trees. Select a specific tree or its parts (fruit, flowers, branches) and render  it in scientifically accurate two-dimensional fine art (excluding photography).

 

For specifications regarding submitting your work and requirements, please click here for submission information.

Questions or comments? Contact the Andersen Horticultural Library:  612-301-1239, hortlib@umn.edu

 

Red Oak
"Red Oak: Quercus rubra" Watercolor on Vellum by Wendy Brockman
Spring Dandelion
"Spring Dandelion" Watercolor on Vellum by Wendy Brockman
Buckeye Moth
"Buckeye Moth" Watercolor on Vellum by Wendy Brockman
Jay Feather
"Jay Feather" Watercolor on Vellum by Wendy Brockman