Flowering Plants of Ojibway and Surrounding Areas
Creating a visual record of native and invasive species.
Project Purpose
To create a resource for the community that inspires stewardship, engages the community through exhibitions, and celebrates Windsor’s natural history.
The Inspiration
Books like the following example can be found at gift shops all across North America. This one was seen at the popular Mount Rainier National Park in Washington. It is a fun gift that can be kept on a coffee table or used out in the field for identifying plants.
Project Phases
Initial Phase
- Consult with specialists to create initial list of plants to include in the pocket identification guide.
- Create 10 pages of the guide.
- Host an exhibition for the community to view the project’s content.
Proceeding Phases
- Consult with specialists to create next list of plants to include in the pocket identification guide.
- Create new pages of the guide.
- Host an exhibition for the community to view the project’s new content.
Final Phase
- Consult with specialists to create final list of plants to include in the pocket identification guide.
- Create the last pages of the guide.
- Publish and print the pocket identification guide.
- Host an exhibition and book launch party for the community to view all of the content that was created during the project.
- Host a nature tour at Ojibway Park for community members to learn more about flowering plants of Ojibway and surrounding areas.
- Donate one guide to every Windsor Public Library location so that community members have access to it.
- Talk about next steps i.e. hosting ongoing educational programs, hosting community-wide planting events, creating additional artwork, etc.
About the Artist
Sarah Smitherman has been working locally as a graphic designer for more than ten years, four of which she has been employed at the University of Windsor. During the length of her career, she has created a large volume of brochures and other printed items. She has also created illustrations, written copy for various channels, and has experience with developing marketing plans. In 2022, she received an award from the University of Windsor for service excellence because of her outstanding contributions to the mission and vision of the University. While pursuing her Honours Bachelor of Fine Arts at the University of Windsor, she received the John Kenneth Pufal Memorial Scholarship for Printmedia Award ($600) and an in-course scholarship ($500). In addition to formal education, Sarah has participated in workshops facilitated by industry leaders. She is a member of the Arts Council Windsor Region (ACWR) and has consulted with their staff about the City of Windsor’s Arts, Culture & Heritage Fund (ACHF) for this project. In September of 2023, she was awarded $2,445 through ACHF to fund a portion of Flowering Plants of Ojibway and Surrounding Areas.
In 2019, her artwork was part of the group show Minimalism, exhibited during the International MIA Milan Image Art Fair in Milan, Italy. This year (2023), her work has been and will be included in various group shows. In order of occurrence, Botanical hosted by Las Laguna Art Gallery in California, Identity hosted by Art Windsor-Essex, Constructed Worlds hosted by Dry Goods Gallery in Windsor, Illuminating the Beauty of Science hosted by Suboart Magazine, and Sixteen x Sixteen Size Show hosted by Nancy Johns Gallery & Framing in Windsor. Recently, she has developed and delivered workshops for her local art gallery (Art Windsor-Essex) which encourage the community to explore their surroundings and find inspiration from their discoveries.
