The Forest Exploration Center in Tosa, Wisconsin, has opened its first art exhibition titled “All That Trees Provide: The Value of Trees and Forests in Our Everyday Lives.” The community-curated trail features 14 panels along the middle trail segment, showcasing seven works each from photographer Holden Van Dyke, a 15-year-old from Pleasant Prairie, and painter John Suess, a Milwaukee-based artist. A “Meet the Artists” event is scheduled for October 4. The exhibition is part of the center's Community-Curated Trail Spur, which aims to share forest art, stories, and research through rotating curated exhibitions.
This exhibition matters because it highlights a unique intersection of visual art and nature, offering an accessible, contemplative experience for visitors while celebrating Wisconsin’s forest heritage. It also demonstrates how local art can enhance public green spaces, fostering community engagement and connection to the land. The rotating exhibit model, with open submission calls and volunteer selection, provides a platform for regional artists and could serve as a replicable template for other nature centers seeking to integrate art into their programming.