New exhibit opening on December 8th explores the global roots of plant-based healing in Minnesota.
We depend on plants for our wellbeing. Our story is inextricably linked to theirs through the food, fiber, medicine and other benefits they provide. Roots to Healing: A brief survey of the past, present and future of plant-based remedies in Minnesota,invites you to consider the historical, cultural, scientific and economic value of a handful of plants from around the globe that have taken root in Minnesota from the commonplace plantain to the rare Lady’s Slipper orchid or the controversial Cannabis. Each plant connects with one of the many cultural groups within Minnesota including Hmong, Indian, Chinese, Russian, Native American, Hawaiian, Somali, and Mexican.
Virtually every culture provides examples of plant-based healing rooted deep in our past, reach into the present not as remnants of a bygone era, but as evolving practices. Our goal with this exhibition is to connect with those communities and find ways to conserve the plants and the knowledge embedded in their healing traditions. This exhibition provides an opportunity to consider our relationship to plants and nature in a multidimensional way. Plants are a crucial part of our past, but they are very much intertwined with our future and Roots to Healing attempts to capture the dynamic, fluid interplay of history, medicine, and culture in the lives of Minnesotans.
EXHIBITION HIGHLIGHTS
- Original art work from a variety of artists.
- A Medicine Wheel created by Native American Medicine Garden coordinator Cante Suta-Francis Bettelyoun.
- Herbarium specimens from the University of Minnesota Herbarium and Historical Artist Renderings of Plants from the Wangensteen Historical Library.
Opening December 8th in Como’s Exhibit Gallery. Open daily from 10am – 4pm.
