Hosting "In the Heart of the Rainforest" in your city
"In the Heart of the Rainforest" includes realistic, narrative paintings of the South American
rainforests, a 1000 to 3500 square ft. simulated environment with hundreds of plants, birds, reptiles,
animals and nature sounds of the rainforest. At the Western States Art Center, the Colorado
Springs Fine Art Center in Colorado and the Fresno Metropolitan Museum in California, "In the
Heart of the Rainforest" has brought in record numbers of visitors, teachers and participation from
all regional schools where this has been displayed. This exhibit is designed to build learning,
education and community, and intrigues both the young and old.
Inspiration for this exhibit began from my experiences while filming and photographing wildlife and
indigenous people in the South American rainforest. I realized this unique and special place would
rarely, if ever seen by most people. With the talent and expertise nationally known educators,
Sharon Gibson & Judy Gebben, we collaborated to create this unique art and educational habitat
experience. Our goal is to use the art of the rainforest to inspire, enlighten and motivate people of
all ages. To invite them to feel comfortable exploring and participating in the art experience and
engage their imagination.
This exhibit is designed to fit in a museum setting with some support necessary from walls, ceilings
and floor areas. All materials are fire retarded with theater type chemicals and extreme care is
taken in designing this exhibit to adhere to standard building code regulations, fire code regulations,
and disability access required for exits and walkways.
Contents of Exhibitions
"In the Heart of the Rainforest" contains several distinct elements;
A walk through simulated rainforest habitat custom designed to fit your exhibition space contains
plants, vines, flowers, a full size jaguar, sloth, monkeys, hummingbirds, macaws, parrots, caiman,
frogs, ants and spiders and hundreds other specialized insects and critters scattered throughout the
habitat. All handmade and painted by commissioned artists. "We encourage you to watch our video
tape to get a feel for the exhibits potential, and discuss as a group how this exhibit could benefit your
community."
The exhibit includes 20 realistic original paintings featuring rainforest animals, people & habitats
One painting, specifically done with 4 additional framed illustrations, shows the various steps of how
these complex watercolor paintings are created.
A rainforest curriculum workbook has been created for teachers with lesson plans and art projects
detailing the natural history of the plants and animals of the rainforest. This curriculum book uses
the visual images contained in the paintings accessible to teachers and educators to engage the
students. We recommend this information be used in some form in the classroom prior to the
exhibition. Teacher & docent workshops can also be planned to make the exhibit more community
interactive with school field trips.
Teacher Workshop
A 4 to 5 hr teacher workshop, with a minimum of 20 and a maximum of 40 can be added during the
end of the installation period for $20. per participant. Hands-on project supplies for this session are
supplied. Examples of reference materials, sources, recommended educational materials, books,
and several rainforest video programs appropriate for classroom study will be reviewed. The 'In
the Heart of the Rainforest' curriculum book, Amazon animal cards and a Natural History video,
'Manu's Rainforest' are available for prior evaluation by educators and can be supplied to a museum
or exhibition store for purchase. Curriculum books are sold separately at a discounted price of $15
to workshop attendees, (Retail for $25.). Workshop participants and host staff receive a
personalized walk-through the exhibit with the exhibit artist and designers prior to the opening.
Training of docent & volunteer staff on exhibit content & elements is included with coordination and
scheduling with exhibiting organization.
Suggested Optional Programs Available
A rainforest play "Rainbow Potatoes" by actor and playwright Lance Wedor is available as a 2 week
artist in residence program prior to the exhibit. Please see attached description and watch the
enclosed video tape.
Indigenous Cultural Artifacts
A display of indigenous cultural artifacts from Southern Peruvian rainforest along with photographs
of people, plants, birds and animals are available for exhibition. A continuous- play natural history
video is available for showing during the length of the exhibition. See photo attached.
T-Shirt Sales
An 'In the Heart of the Rainforest' T-shirt design is available for printing with inclusion of your
museum or sponsors name & logo.
Important Planning Notes
Planning requires 6 to 9 months and requires the following: Lots of telephone calls. Some
conference calls. A 'to scale' facility layout of the exhibition space. An advanced plans discussion
concerning any facility restriction, or structural constraints, and prohibition on facility attachments.
Specifications on: lighting, electrical outlets, wall & ceiling design and building and special fire code
requirements, location of fire, entrance & exit doors availability of security, list of names and
contacts of committee staff.
We do require assistance from facility staff for loading & unloading, manipulating and installing
lighting, hanging canopy & securing exhibit elements and assistance with storage and clean-up
before and after set-up and tear down.
Host Organizations responsibilities include
Coordination of all sponsors
Opening Celebration
Publicity and Promotion
Security
Organization of tours, groups
Prior coordination of teacher, docent, volunteer workshops.
References
Ms. Mary Mashburn
Kennedy Center Imagination Celebration Community Coordinator
1515 North Academy Boulevard
Colorado Springs, CO 80936
719/ 597-3344
Ms. Kaywin Feldman
Fresno Metropolitan Museum
1555 Van Ness Ave.
Fresno, CA
209/ 441-1444
Ms. Lynn F. Morris
Executive Director
Baton Rouge Green
448 North Street
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
504/ 381-0037
Mr. George Furness
Conservation Treaty Support Fund / Cites
3705 Cardiff Rd.
Chevy Chase, MD 20815
301/ 654-3150
Mr. Bernie Margolis
Executive Director
The Boston Public Library
Copley Square
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 536-5400
