Vegetal Encounters Workshops and Programs
2019-2023
A range of public and course-based workshops were offered as part of the Vegetal Encounters Residency with the UBC Outdoor Art Program, Morris and Helen Belkin Art Gallery.
Vegetal Encounters is Holly Schmidt’s multi-year residency with the Outdoor Art program at UBC. Through this residency, Schmidt has been creatively engaging with plant life as a significant source of life, connection and learning. The artist suggests that learning with plant life involves slowing down and using all of the senses to engage deeply and with respect. As part of her residency, she has been creating opportunities for students, staff and faculty on campus to attend to the plants around them, which has resulted in a range of art projects in various media and of different durations. Vegetal Encounters is curated by Barbara Cole, the Curator of Outdoor Art.
Throughout her residency, Schmidt has offered pedagogical experiences in collaboration with John Bass (SALA), Dr. Katie Bunting (UBC Medicine), Dr. Brett Couch (Biology), Dr. Christine Goedhart (Skylight Science Centre for Learning and Teaching), Marianne Fujita (SALA), Sarah Holland (MOA Indigenous Internship Program), Damara Jacobs-Petersen (MOA Native Youth Program), Linda Jennings (Beaty Biodiversity Museum), Dr. Michael Lipsen (Earth and Ocean Science), Bill Pechet (SALA), Chrystal Sparrow, and Althea Thauberger (AHVA).
The Vegetal Encounters Residency and related projects was have been made possible with funding through UBC’s Matching Fund for Outdoor Art through Infrastructure Impact Charges. The Belkin gratefully acknowledges the support of Canada Council for the Arts, the Province of British Columbia through the BC Arts Council, and their Belkin Curator’s Forum Members.
Photo Credit: Rachel Topham