ENCOUNTERS: FRIEND OR FOE?
An exhibition by the Tropical Botanic Artists collective
When: March 27 - June 30, 2019
Where: Florida Keys History & Discovery Center
82100 Overseas Highway, Islamorada, FL 33036
Keys History & Discovery Center, a not-for-profit organization, is located on the property of the Islander Resort, MM 82.1, oceanside.
Admission: General $12; Seniors $10; 13-under FREE.
Hours: Wed.-Sun. 10 am - 5 pm
Contact: Jill Miranda Baker, Executive Director 305-922-2237
Islamorada, FL -- The interdependence of plants, animals, and insects in Biscayne Bay's terrestrial and aquatic environments is a subject that warrants close scrutiny. To highlight the complex natural relationships that occur in the area's four distinct ecosystems, members of the Miami-based Tropical Botanic Artists collective used a variety of media and artistic approaches to create the exhibition ENCOUNTERS: FRIEND OR FOE? The original works of art with informative labels illustrate life-sustaining interactions among Biscayne Bay's abundant plants, animals, and insects
Biscayne Bay's ecosystems support hundreds of species, many found nowhere else in the United States. The artists illustrated encounters ranging from mollusks grazing on mangroves, to marine animals interacting with underwater plants, to nesting birds catching native fish to feed their chicks, to butterflies and other insects pollinating or laying eggs on the indigenous vegetation.
“Encounters: Friend or Foe?” was first shown at Biscayne National Park in early 2017 to mark two milestones: the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service in 2016 and the 50th anniversary of Biscayne National Park in 2018. “Members of Tropical Botanic Artists were honored to participate in these celebrations by highlighting many aspects—some relatively hidden—of the fascinating terrestrial and aquatic life that flourishes in this natural paradise,” said Kristi Bettendorf and Beverly Borland, co-chairs of Tropical Botanic Artists.
The exhibition has traveled to several Florida venues, sponsored in part by the Florida Keys Council of the Arts, the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, Florida Council on Arts and Culture, and private donations.
ABOUT TROPICAL BOTANIC ARTISTS Artists with works in the exhibition are Margie Bauer, Beverly Borland, Silvia Bota, Marie Chaney, Susan Cumins, Jeanie Duck, Julio J. Figueroa, Pauline Goldsmith, Leo Hernandez, Carol Ann Lane, Elsa Nadal, Carol Onstad, Laurie Richardson, Donna Torres, and Jedda Wong. All are longtime residents of South Florida. The Tropical Botanic Artists collective was established in Miami in 2006 to highlight the beauty of tropical plants through art. Its members come from all walks of life and each brings a unique viewpoint to his or her work. They share a love of the natural world and that fascination is reflected in their art. www.tropicalbotanicartists.com
ABOUT KEYS HISTORY & DISCOVERY CENTER:
Keys History & Discovery Center preserves and shares the history of the Upper Keys community and explores the region's unique ecology. In addition to permanent exhibits on subjects such as Henry Flagler's Over-Sea Railway, Legends of the Line, and First People, the Discovery Center offers a lecture series to educate the public through presentations from a variety of speakers. The museum's second floor features a state-of-the-art theater showing documentaries covering the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane and Indian Key, and other topics, as well as traveling exhibits and the Jerry Wilkinson Research Library. The center, on the property of the Islander Resort, is open Wednesdays through Sundays, 10 a.m.- 5 p.m.
