A few months ago, I proposed a community-inspired art project to bring my science illustration workshop at the Missouri Botanical Garden to a meaningful and creative close.
To celebrate community and the joy of collaboration, I envisioned a special art project for my class—a co-created scientific illustration centered on the anatomy and life cycle of one of Missouri’s native plants, the purple coneflower (pollinators included!). ❀°⋆.ೃ࿔*:･🐝
Each participant contributed at least one piece: one drew the seeds, another painted the roots, while others added petals, leaves, and close-ups of the flower’s structure, all coming together as a beautiful, classically rendered scientific illustration plate (poster). The poster both visually represents and disseminates knowledge about the purple coneflower.
Together, we created something beautiful and greater than ourselves—a reminder of the power of creativity and connection.
