The Great Chokecherry
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
The annual Glass Art Celebration is happening at the Botanic Gardens during the months of February and March. This year, artists were encouraged to submit work that celebrated the 250th anniversary of the United States. In keeping with the botanical theme, I chose the chokecherry to represent the Quarter Millennium.
The Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana) is native to North America and found in nearly all regions of the United States. It is special to Wyoming for its ability to grow and thrive in unforgiving conditions. Insects, birds, wild animals, and humans alike have benefited from the protection, provisions, and nutrition this hardy tree provides.
The tart berries were a staple food source for the indigenous peoples of the Plains, who dried and mixed crushed berries with tallow and dried meat to create pemmican, a nutrient-dense survival food that was essential for winter. In fact, the time of chokecherry ripening in August was referred to as the “Black Cherry Moon” by the Great Northern Plains tribes.
My intention for this piece is to highlight the humble chokecherry. It is as much a symbol of Wyoming as it is a symbol of this nation. It represents Resilience for its ability to endure hardship, and Community for the ways in which it sustains all walks of nature.
Like the phases of the moon, I have rendered the chokecherry in its triple form:
Flower (Waxing), Fruit (Full), and Fall (Waning).
This piece can be hung on a wall or in a window. Sunlight can pass through the color, creating a stained-glass effect. The paint is automotive enamel and its application is a tedious process that I have been honing for nearly two decades.
If you're interested in seeing all the great glass art on display, including The Great Chokecherry, stop by the gardens Tuesdays through Saturdays.
-MK
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