The OHIO Museum Complex will launch its first exhibit, Through the Appalachian Forest: Field Explorations Illuminated by the Floyd Bartley Herbarium, on Friday, April 12.

This interactive exhibit invites visitors of all ages and abilities to become re-enchanted with the Appalachian forest. An educational laboratory is built around field collections and selections from the Floyd Bartley Herbarium (1930-1978), resulting in two companion outdoor collections whose origins span nearly a century.

“My favorite part of this project has been the dialog with scientists and community members,” Curator Lori Esposito said. “I hope that the display of these two collections will continue to engage participants across cultures and experiences with a living history of the region.”

The exhibit will open in 210 Lin Hall on the Ridges.

“This exhibition celebrates our first new OHIO Museum Complex gallery, highlighting pivotal collections from across the region in a vibrant new interactive classroom, and offering a springboard for campus and community to explore art and science in concert,” added Nancy Stevens, co-lead of the Museum Complex planning team. “Collaborations across fields help to enhance science literacy, and engage with contemporary issues, promoting health and wellness for the Ohio University community and throughout the region.”

“The exhibit demonstrates the power of collaboration and how the term, ‘creative,’ applies to people across disciplines,” added Ed Pauley, Director of Kennedy Museum of Art and co-lead of the Museum Complex Planning team.

The opening reception is from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 12. It is free and open to the public.