Mary Meyer: The Leaf Connection @ Desert Botanical Garden

The Leaf Connection showcases the vibrant plant diversity of the Phoenix metro area through an intricate display of hand-made, ceramic leaves at Webster Center in Desert Botanical Garden. With more than 1,000 ceramic pieces, each leaf’s design is influenced by observations community scientists record on iNaturalist, an established online platform where nature lovers share information on biodiversity. During the year-long exhibit, artist Mary Meyer will periodically add new ceramic leaves as more people contribute observations on iNaturalist. The Garden invites guests to engage with this distinctive art installation, offering a captivating opportunity to reconnect with nature. Mary Meyer is a sculptor and mixed media artist whose work utilizes systems of carved components that investigate the intimate connections between community and botanicals. Originally trained in stone carving, she is drawn to meditative processes and materials such as clay, wood and metal that foster the intuitive exploration of form. Meyer has lived in Arizona for more than 28 years. She holds a BFA in sculpture from Arizona State University where she studied foundry casting methods and metalworking. She completed her graduate studies at the University of Arizona, where she received the MFA Fellowship for her work with large mixed media installations. The artist has exhibited at the Phoenix Art Museum; Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum; Tucson Museum of Art; and FOMA Gallery Santa Fe, among others. Public collections include Sky Harbor International Airport Museum; City of Tempe; and Royal Caribbean International. Meyer is an alumni member of Phoenix artist collectives Eye Lounge Contemporary Artspace and MARS Artspace. She has served as an adjunct professor teaching sculpture and 3D Design at Arizona State University, Scottsdale Community College, and Chandler-Gilbert Community College. She lives and works in Gold Canyon, AZ, and has a studio at Cattle Track Arts Compound in Scottsdale.