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It’s been an amazing Year of Art for The Dawes Arboretum where we featured Artisans at The Arboretum, a 9-part series of murals that dotted The Arboretum’s 2,000-acre landscape.

We now have the unique opportunity to virtually auction off four of the murals that beautified our natural landscape. These artworks are one-of-a-kind reflections of our mission of the conservation of trees, nature and history. If you love what The Arboretum stands for, consider supporting our mission through the purchase of these custom  works of art.

The four murals, all 8 feet by 8 feet, are “The Puzzle of Nature,” “Seasons of Nature,” "Renewal Crew," and "Wanderer Above the Sea of Trees."

This is a mural. It features owls, insects and animals that are all around The Arboretum like owls, lunar moths, monarch butterflies, and more. The mural has a blue background. It is in the grass in The Arboretum.“The Puzzle of Nature,” created by Anne Balogh, features a puzzle-like mural with animals, insects and plants that are related to The Arboretum. The vibrant and playful colors honor the diversity of The Arboretum. Here’s what the artist had to say about their piece:

Nature is an intricate web of interconnected systems, each element playing a vital role in maintaining biodiversity and a healthy environment. Much like a complex puzzle, the pieces of nature whether they be plants, animals, pollinators, or microorganisms fit together in ways that are often unseen yet essential to the whole. Every species, no matter how small, contributes to the health of the ecosystem, and the loss of any piece can cause disruptions that affect the entire system. Successful conservation embraces this complexity, recognizing that true environmental preservation requires safeguarding the full spectrum of biodiversity. The Dawes Arboretum is an example of successful conservation. With a variety of projects that cover a wide spectrum, from native plant propagation and reforestation studies to prairie restoration and monarch butterfly raising to spotted salamander migrations and nest box monitoring, the arboretum is constantly working to keep the puzzle pieces in place. It is also a place of constant learning, and so I included a puzzle piece ‘missing’ to represent the work of restoring what once was.

 

This features three trees. One of the tree tops is pink, one is green and one is orange. it is sitting in The Arboretum surrounded by grass and trees. It has a tan frame.

“Seasons of Nature,” created by Michael Boudreault & Chris McDaniels, makes poignant use of geometry, using a circular formation to represent the Earth’s seasons. Here’s what the artists had to say about their piece:

This mural is simply a graphic representation of the rotation of the seasons, using a circular visual theme.

 

This mural uses blue, green, white and yellow. It has four figures on it that are makign silly expressions while planting trees, holding up the sun and the moon. It is placed on the Arboretum grounds surrounded by trees and grass. The frame is tan.

“Renewal Crew,” created by Adam Brouilette, playfully illustrates four figures that are taking care of our beloved environment. Here’s what the artist had to say about their piece:

This painting is about our responsibility to renew and restore our planet. It is about fostering new growth and environmentally friendly activities. It is about harnessing renewable resources. It is about doing these things together, as a team.

 

“Wanderer Above the Sea of Trees,” created by Curtis Goldstein and completed by artist Arris' "Sir'Ra" Cohen, celebrates the history of The Arboretum and uses earthy colors like blue, green and brown to show the beauty of Dawes and nature. Here’s what the artist had to say about their piecA mural sits on The Arboretum's grounds surrounded by green trees and grass. It has a tan frame. It features colors like green, brown and blue, and showcases Bertie Dawes looking in the painting as well as two other men.e:

Wanderer Above the Sea of Trees is a subtle homage to the iconic Caspar David Friedrich painting, Wanderer above the Sea of Fog (1818), in which a hiker stands with his back turned to the viewer as he contemplates the sublimity of nature. Friedrich often included Rückenfigur, or figures seen from behind, as a means of inviting onlookers to take up the same point of view. Representing Beman Dawes in this way during a typical tree selection invites us to become fellow wanderers on the Arboretum grounds. A front facing Bertie Dawes and the two classical grounds workers open a path toward a conversation with, and among, the viewers about the beautiful and varied trees.

Curtis sadly passed away before he could complete the piece, but fellow exhibit artist Arris' "Sir'Ra" Cohen graciously stepped in to finish the work. 


The opportunity to buy these amazing murals will last from November 9 until November 23, so don’t miss out on your chance to purchase a piece of The Arboretum’s history.

People who are interested in viewing the murals before bidding are welcome to make a visit to The Arboretum to see the murals in-person. By request, a staff member from our Development team can take interested buyers around to view the works of art. The murals may be purchased with or without the frame.

Each mural bid begins at the cost of $500. If you’re interested in making an offer, please send an email with your interest to advancement@dawesarb.org. with your information. Winners will be notified on November 24 and required to pick up their pieces before December 19. The Arboretum will not be responsible for delivering the artwork.

Make sure you don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to buy a piece of Dawes history. Please reach out to information@dawesarb.org with any questions.

 

Important Notes: This artwork may not be reproduced in any way. The winners are individually responsible for the pickup and transportation of the artwork. The final bid price does not include taxes. Payments can be made in-person or over the phone with cash, credit card or check.