ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) – Combining environmental science with large-scale outdoor art: that’s the vision of the ‘Rooted in Rockford: Art and Tree Science’ exhibit, opening Saturday at Klehm Arboretum.
This exhibit features root-based artwork from eight Illinois artists. Rockford’s Peter Mera is the sole local artist who will have his piece featured.
“This would be a perfect opportunity to incorporate a lifelong dream of seeing what happens to a painting over a year and doing something for Rockford,” said Mera.
Mera and others were tasked with interpreting the concept of roots through materials like metal, concrete, rubber and canvas. His piece plays off erosion. Mera’s friend Michael built the easel using locally sourced metal. Mera created the map of Rockford.
“There’s colored pellets mixed in with the rocks on top, so when it rains it will be a colored waterfall,” said Mera. “I’m going to come here with my daughter sporadically and see what nature’s doing to my art.”
“These are in very intentional locations. Some will provide shadows as the sun travels throughout the day. Some mimic the form of a nearby tree,” said executive director Alex Mills. “Some of that happened on accident, happy circumstances where sculptures leaning the same as a tree in the background.”
Mills said these pieces reflect how roots support trees and plants, but symbolize connections that ground our shared environment.
“The artist’s interpretation of the theme is fantastic. Everybody had a different take on it. The sculptures are all different mediums, textures,” said Mills. “The place is built to exhibit outdoor art like this.”
Klehm is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily and the exhibit can be seen starting tomorrow. It runs through May 2026.
Anyone interested in going must buy a ticket.
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