51ĀŅĀ×

The OHIO Museum Complex will launch its first exhibit, Through the Appalachian Forest: Field Explorations Illuminated by the Floyd Bartley Herbarium, on Friday, April 12.

This interactive exhibit invites visitors of all ages and abilities to become re-enchanted with the Appalachian forest. An educational laboratory is built around field collections and selections from the Floyd Bartley Herbarium (1930-1978), resulting in two companion outdoor collections whose origins span nearly a century.

ā€œMy favorite part of this project has been the dialog with scientists and community members,ā€ Curator Lori Esposito said. ā€œI hope that the display of these two collections will continue to engage participants across cultures and experiences with a living history of the region.ā€

The exhibit will open in 210 Lin Hall on the Ridges.

ā€œThis exhibition celebrates our first new OHIO Museum Complex gallery, highlighting pivotal collections from across the region in a vibrant new interactive classroom, and offering a springboard for campus and community to explore art and science in concert,ā€ added Nancy Stevens, co-lead of the Museum Complex planning team. ā€œCollaborations across fields help to enhance science literacy, and engage with contemporary issues, promoting health and wellness for the 51ĀŅĀ× community and throughout the region.ā€

ā€œThe exhibit demonstrates the power of collaboration and how the term, ā€˜creative,ā€™ applies to people across disciplines,ā€ added Ed Pauley, Director of Kennedy Museum of Art and co-lead of the Museum Complex Planning team.

The opening reception is from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 12. It is free and open to the public.