Reciprocal Relationships is the fall art exhibition for the WCBG visitor center, put forward as part of the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the WCBG. Reciprocal relationships start with connection and respect. Through painting, photography, sewing, sculpture, and more, members of the Wellesley community reflect on and share their personal interpretation and responses to the Wellesley College Botanic Garden's new mission: to inspire generations of changemakers to cultivate reciprocal relationships with plants and land. 

As you experience the exhibition, we invite you to reflect on the WCBG mission, what it means to you, and how you can cultivate your own reciprocal relationship with plants and land.

Overgrowth by Kitty Boakye, winner of the Reciprocity Award

On Sunday, September 14th and Monday the 15th, the Art Department and Botanic Gardens partnered to host a ceramics workshop. Students learned the basics of handbuilding with clay, then applied those skills to create a nature-inspired sculpture. Sculptures will be displayed throughout the outdoor gardens as part of the Reciprocal Relationships art exhibit. 

Art has the beautiful capability to deepen our connection to the natural world. In both the creation and appreciation of nature inspired artworks, we can observe nature’s intricacies, foster environmental stewardship, and uplift environmental education. Through photography, painting, drawing, crochet, and more, members of the Wellesley community reflect on and share their own personal connections to plants. 

Plant Connections is a debut art exhibition for the Wellesley College Botanic Gardens visitor center, put forward as part of the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the WCBG. The exhibit supports the gardens' newly reworked mission to inspire generations of changemakers to cultivate reciprocal relationships with plants and land. Reciprocal relationships start with connection and respect. Reliance on plants is universal, but these important living beings are often taken for granted. At the heart of Plant Connections is joyful appreciation of plants and plant dedicated spaces. As you move through this exhibition, we invite you to reflect on your own connection to plants.

May this space serve as a reminder to go outside, take a closer look at our green friends, and admire the beauty and abundance of plants!