Public art, community seed sharing and planting to protect pollinators
About
‘Plant Paint Cross-Pollinate’ A public art migrating mural project focused on the importance of native plants to pollinators and ecosystem health through collaborative community art events led by artist Jenn Houle MFA Cornell.
In 2023, this project will generate 20 colossal painted butterfly signs that highlight the importance of native plants that will ‘migrate’ along a route of high visibility public spaces to inspire viewers to plant native within their own communities: a simple yet powerful act that makes an enormous positive environmental impact!
In January & February 2023, residents of six Massachusetts communities will create 15 of the butterfly signs at Plant and Paint workshops where participants will plant and keep the seeds of native pollinator-friendly species, collected by local garden clubs, members of West Newbury Wild & Native, and Project Coordinator Jenn Houle.
The remaining 5 butterfly signs will be painted by Houle, as she renders examples from each of the five lepidopterous families native to Massachusetts, and focusing on the plants that they feed, nest, pupate, and metamorphose on.
The Butterfly Mural Migration will tour from May 2023 - October 2023 throughout Amesbury, Groveland, Haverhill, Merrimac, Newbury and West Newbury on public conservation land, at public libraries, and around local schools. Signs citing project sponsors will aid in raising awareness about native plants, eco-friendly gardening practices and resources available to the host communities.
2023 Plant and Paint Schedule
Includes TEN 2 hour events in public libraries, senior centers, community college, environmental centers, and public schools. See jennhoule.com for dates.
2023 Butterfly Mural Migration
May 1 - June 30
Newbury: Parker River National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center
W. Newbury: Pentucket Regional High School new pollinator garden and Wild & Native demonstration garden & member residences
Merrimac: Merrimac Public Library, in conjunction with native pollinator garden and seed lending library, Merrimac Garden Club selected sites
Groveland: Veasey Memorial Park
July 1 - August 31
Amesbury: Amesbury Public Library, Battis Farm Conservation Land, Camp Kent Environmental Center in pollinator garden
September 1- October 31
Haverhill: Northern Essex Community College and select sites by Haverhill Conservation Commission including: Bradford Commons, Winnekenni Park, Plug Pond, Tattersall Farm Conservation Area, Whittier's Birthplace and public school grounds
