​The invitational exhibition features 14 regional artists who make art about the diverse pollinator species and plants native to Northwest Indiana. Many are familiar with the endangered monarch butterfly and the milkweed plants the caterpillars feed on, but there are thousands of other species that make their home here and pollinate trees, flowers, and even food crops. Northwest Indiana is home to over 300 native bee species, thousands of beetle pollinators, bird pollinators such as hummingbirds and orioles, and hundreds of butterfly and moth species that make our ecosystem special. 

In 2021 we began an initiative to support pollinators with our first major project to create  our “Monarch-Maker Gardens” with funding from NiSource Foundation and Cleveland Cliffs Foundation.  With gardens in place we began offering nature-based educational art programs that relate to the gardens and bring awareness to the importance of native plants and pollinators.  Many of these programs are in collaboration with other community organizations including Shirley Heinze Land Trust, Humane Indiana Wildlife, Indiana Dunes National Park and Indiana Audubon.

Observing the number of artists in the community that are producing art about this same topic, we invited thirty-four artists of diverse backgrounds and experience to participate in this exhibition. When submitting work we encouraged them to consider butterflies along with other important pollinators that make Northwest Indiana home, as well as the native plants they rely on for food and shelter.  Their interpretations exemplify the importance of native species and the impact they have in our world.  Artwork represents 14 pollinator and 12 plant species as well as 3 specific locations locally.

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Exhibiting artists: Carol Estes, Betsy Fleek, Chris Hartz, Christine Hubbell, Susan Kirt, Kristina Knowski, Judy Lynn, Nancy Natow Cassidy, Mary Ann Pals, Ann Tompkins, Mindy Wallis, Melissa Washburn, Nicole Wilbur, Gail Woolever and Bonnie Zimmer.