Asclepias in the Garden

The garden has inspired humans across millennia as a sanctuary, teacher, and healer. In this exhibition, the garden serves as an area of contemplation for the evidenced-based Age Friendly Health Systems framework known as the 4Ms: What Matters, Medication, Mentation, and Mobility. A combination of visual, interactive, and sound elements spark curiosity and encourage visitors to explore the 4Ms through representations of nature.

Asclepias is the Greek god associated with physicians, healing, and medicinal herbs. His name is also associated with the group of plants known as milkweeds, which includes Asclepias tuberosa, butterfly milkweed or pleurisy root, because historically it was used to treat respiratory illnesses.

This exhibition was developed by artist Marguerite Perret as part of the Kansas 4M/KU Spencer Museum of Art Arts Research Integration (ARI) Fellowship. Perret is an associate professor of art at Washburn University whose research studio practice explores the promise, complications, and sometimes contradictory narratives inherent at the interstices of art, science, healthcare, and personal experience. For this exhibition Perret collaborated with Bruce Scherting, independent exhibition designer and former director of Project Art at University of Iowa Health Care, and Paul Rudy, curators’ distinguished professor of composition at the University of Missouri–Kansas City Conservatory.

Apart from public events on November 17 and December 3, Asclepias in the Garden is accessible by appointment only. Please fill out this form to schedule an appointment. 

Guests can park in the lot across the street from the Clendening Library behind the Five Guys/IHOP. Please contact Jamie Rees with questions about the exhibition or for accessibility accommodations including accessible parking at jrees@kumc.edu or 913-588-7244.