Educator Resources: Meet Me in the Forest

 

Meet Me in the Forest invites you into the forests, gardens, and natural worlds artists create—places that hold mystery, mythology, and history. The exhibition foregrounds the complex and layered relationships between nature and humankind. Natural worlds are main characters in these stories, places where transcendent beauty, existential danger, and humanity converge and collide. 

Artworks On View

  • A landscape scene of dark green trees and grass under a night sky illuminated by a full moon.

    Mogote Bajo La Luz de la Luna Ilena, 1999

    Ruben Berland (Cuban, b. 1955)
    Acrylic on canvas
    47 7/8 x 59 7/8 inches

    Collection of Thomas Cafesjian and Kathie Cafesjian Baradaran, T.2007-40-5-23. © Ruben Berland

    Click Here
  • A vibrant forest scene painted with lush green trees, colorful flowers, and glowing elements. A mystical atmosphere with intertwining vines and illuminated plants creates a magical wilderness setting.

    Forest with Dappled Light, 2022

    Inka Essenhigh (American, b. 1969)
    Enamel on canvas
    40 x 50 inches

    Collection of the Farnsworth Art Museum, Rockland, Maine. Museum purchase, Lynne Drexler Acquisition Fund, 2022.30. © Inka Essenhigh / Image courtesy of the artist and Miles McEnery Gallery, New York, NY

    Artist Website
  • Black and white photo of dense trees with leaves and branches, a metal fence with circular patterns partially visible at the bottom.

    Untitled (Box Spring in Tree), 1992

    Carrie Mae Weems (American, b. 1953)
    Gelatin silver print
    20 3/4 x 20 3/4 x 1 1/2 inches
    Edition 7 of 10 + 2 APs

    Courtesy the artist and Gladstone Gallery. © Carrie Mae Weems

    Artist Website
  • A rectangular block of translucent material, possibly resin or amber, with embedded natural elements such as plants or organisms, resting on a white surface.

    Long House #1, from the "Garden House Series," 1995

    Mayme Kratz (American, b. 1958 )
    Cast resin and dried sunflowers
    8 x 4 3/4 x 13 inches

    Cafesjian Art Trust Museum, #. © Mayme Kratz

    Artist Website
  • A mixed media art installation featuring embroidered and fabric artwork of elephants, set against a deep blue floral backdrop in a gallery space.

    ... among the blades between the flowers ... while the horse watches ... for those who bear/bare witness, 2018

    Ebony G. Patterson (Jamaican, b. 1981)
    Hand-cut jacquard woven photo tapestry with glitter, applique, beads, trim, brooches, feathered butterflies, fabric, silk flowers, and hand-embellished resin owl on shelf, on artist-designed fabric wallpaper
    10 4/5 x 14 3/5 feet

    Des Moines Art Center Permanent Collections; Purchased with funds from the Edmundson Art Foundation, Inc., 2019.3.a-.c Photo Credit: Rich Sanders, Des Moines. © Ebony Patterson

    Artist Website
  • A statue of a woman with closed eyes holding a small child, decorated with butterflies and floral patterns. The statue has a soft, translucent appearance.

    New List Item

    Description goes here
    Click Here
  • Colorful mosaic artwork depicting a stylized scene with trees, flowers, children in rainbow-colored clothing, and various vibrant elements set against a dark background.

    New List Item

    Description goes here
    Click Here
  • A colorful drawing of a fantasy castle with tall towers, surrounded by lush gardens, trees, and flowers, under a black sky.

    New List Item

    Description goes here
    Click Here
  • Painting of a lush forest scene with large green leaves, bark textures, and a white bird with a black face.

    She taught me to listen to the wind, 2023

    Kelly Sinnapah Mary
    Oil on canvas
    47 x 47 inches

    Cafesjian Art Trust Museum.

    Click Here

  • Atabey, 1981

    Ana Mendieta (b. 1948)
    Medium gelatin silver print
    53 1/4 x 40 1/4 inches

    Gift of Mary and John Pappajohn, 2015. Collection Walker Art Center, Minneapolis. © Ana Mendieta

    Click Here

  • Reverie Forest: Sanctuary for Strange Creature, 2026

    Erica Rosenfeld (b. )
    Found objects, blown glass, fabric, and mixed media
    20 x 20 x 20 inches

    Courtesy of the artist and the Heller Gallery. © Erica Rosenfeld

    Click Here

  • Garden As Metaphor

    Description goes here
    Click Here

  • Underground

    Hannah Wade (b. 1981)
    Acrylic on linen
    60 x 48 inches

    Museum purchase, Lynne Drexler Acquisition Fund © Hannah Wade

    Artist Website

  • untitled, from the series Pictures of paradise, 2022-24

    Pao Houa Her (b.)
    3D lenticular prints mounted on panel
    70 x 264 inches

    Courtesy the artist and Bockley Gallery © Pao Houa Her

    Artist Website

  • Stain, 2016

    Kate Clements (b.)
    Kiln Fired Glass and monofilament
    90 x 96 x 1/4 inches

    Cafesjian Art Trust Museum. © Kate Clements

    Artist Website

Explore More

 
 

Meet the Artist: Carrie Mae Weems
Smithsonian American Art Museum

Mayme Kratz: Sleeping in the Forest
Eric Minh Swenson Art Films

Group of people talking and observing artwork inside an art gallery with blue walls.

Docent Portal

Resources are available to support classroom learning before and after your visit, including exhibition guides, discussion prompts, and curriculum connections.

Docent Portal