Arboretum Announces Winning Designs for ‘Treeology’ Artwalk

 Chanhassen, MN (Jan. 31)- As the temperatures drop and winter winds howl, the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum invites you to look ahead toward summer and those sunny days ahead…

The Arboretum is proud to announce that the theme of its 2008 Summer Exhibition will be “Treeology,” a salute to the towering wonder and quiet power of trees in today’s world.  As part of this summerlong event, the Arboretum is pleased to announce the 17 outdoor exhibits by Minnesota artists and designers that have been selected for the “Art ’n’ Trees Trail,” the centerpiece of the “Treeology” exhibition. 

These art installations will be placed along a 1.5 mile tree-lined walk through Arboretum grounds, providing a fresh perspective on trees and their gifts to planet Earth.  Of 78 proposals submitted, a jury of designers and critics selected 17 to be implemented, along with eight alternates.  Construction of the exhibition will begin on Arboretum grounds in mid-May.

 “We’re very excited about this exhibition,” says Peter J. Olin, Arboretum director. “Trees are the heart of our work here at the Arboretum; you won’t want to miss this fresh, exciting look at these unique living beings that outlive and outgrow us.” 

The “Art ’n’ Trees Trail” pieces include: a giant metallic twirling maple seed; a large hammock-like “leaf cradle”;  an educational “Ash Anxiety” display (about Emerald Ash Bore disease); a Stonehenge-like fortress called “Treehenge”; and much more.  Some are serious and thought-provoking; others playful and inspirational. 

Winning designs are: 
“Twirling Maple Seed” by Mary Carroll; 
“The Leaf Cradles” by Marjorie Pitz; 
“Tree of Luminous Surprises” by Robyn Jensen;  
“Tree Shadow” by Elizabeth Scofield Brown, Jason S. Brown, Fred Scofield of Survival Design; 
“Breathing Room” by Sally Boyd; 
“1 in 10,000” by Wendy Johnson of Saga Hill Designs; 
“Twist” by Annette Walby, Tory Christensen and Hanna Loope of The Kestrel Design Group;  
“The Tree Eye See” by Lindsay Buck and Steven Burzynski of Aesthetica Landscaping; 
“Shade Tree” by Jeff Gears, Kevin Hunt, Ingrid Youmans and Erica Larson of Pope Associates;  
“Temple of Arb-ology” by Jordan Lockman;  
“Ash Anxiety” by Hennepin Technical College and Jay Siedschlaw;
“Emergent” by Beth Lowry; 
“Home Sweet Home” by Kim Graper, Dan Sjordal, Jon Loidolt, Chad Feigum amd Joel Hussong of Westwood Professional Services; 
“Tree-Fi-Fo-Fum” by Dan Sjordal, Cory Meyer, Jon Loidolt, Chad Feigum, Joel Hussong and Kim Graper of Westwood Professional Services;  
“BeWilderedness” by Adam Riddle and Jessie Bauldry of BKV Group;
“Nodding Sentinels” by Dan Noyes and Vesper College; and
“Treehenge” by IOTA (Inland Office for Tomorrow’s Architecture).

The “Treeology” Exhibition is the cornerstone of a year of celebrations – including the Arboretum’s 50th anniversary year and the 100th anniversary of the University of Minnesota’s Horticultural Research Center. 

The design jury included: Roger Martin, University of Minnesota professor of landscape architecture; Stewart Turnquist of the Minneapolis Instititute of Arts; Jeanne Kosfeld of the Ordway Center for the Arts; Dale Bachman, president of Bachman’s; and Sandy Tanck, manager of interpretation and public programs at the Arboretum.  

Winning designers are given a $2,500 stipend to defray costs and have been encouraged to partner with contractors, builders, nurseries, garden centers and others to create and/or install their works at the Arboretum.  

 As a “sneak preview” to summer, models of the winning “Art ’n’ Trees” entries will be displayed in the Oswald Visitor Center in March.  

Other components of “Treeology” include: a Tree Discovery Zone consisting of interpretive stations on various tree-related topics; “Grown Home,” an open-air rustic retreat formed of river birch branches with “growing furniture”; and a “Tree-mendous Trees” hall of fame.  “Treeology” opens May 24 and continues through Oct. 12.  

-The End- 
Editors: Please contact Barb DeGroot at 952-443-1459 for any media needs. A “Treeology” logo is available at your request.  Thank you!