Amah Mutsun Native Plant Collaboration
Undergraduate Student Awardees for the Amah Mutsun Native Plant Illustration collaboration
We are thrilled to announce the undergraduate student artists selected for the Amah Mutsun Native Plant Illustration, congratulations to Maddy Arnold, Polina Bondar, Shaylie Lozinto, and Livia Morton!
Undergraduate Student Awardees for the Amah Mutsun Native Plant Illustration collaboration with Norris Center Art + Science Director Karolina Karlic and Arboretum Executive Director & Steward of the Amah Mutsun Relearning Program Rick Flores.
Collaborative Project
This project, a collaboration between the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band (AMTB), the Amah Mutsun Relearning Program (AMRP) at the Arboretum & Botanic Garden, and the Norris Center for Natural History, will engage students in illustrating culturally significant native plants and documenting their traditional uses.
Over the next year, student artists will collaborate closely with AMTB members to create twelve new botanical illustrations, which will be combined with previously created works to form a 22-plant portfolio. Accompanying text, developed by AMTB and Amah Mutsun Land Trust (AMLT) staff, will provide public information regarding the importance of each plant. A separate document, for tribal members only, will inform tribal members of culturally sensitive information. The final collection will be available online and showcased in a 2026 public exhibition at the Museum of Art and History, alongside artwork by tribal members.
This project not only highlights the deep cultural and ecological knowledge of the AMTB but also fosters meaningful collaboration between our student artists and Indigenous stewards. We look forward to sharing this important work with the public!
