The James S. Murray Gallery is featuring the exhibit “Herbaria and Otherwords” by local artist Ruthan Mazrim starting today through April 5. The campus community as well as the public is invited to attend a reception with the artist on March 22 from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

“Herbaria and Otherwords” represents a body of work influenced by the tradition of botanical collections that was popular during the Victorian era. However, unlike standard collections, Mazrim alters and manipulates dried plant remains, adding pigment, fibers and found objects. “The use of text adds to or changes the meaning of the specimens,” says Mazrim.

Her exhibit also includes works that incorporate pages or covers from vintage books. “It is a reference to the speculation about the future demise of printed books,” she explains.

Mazrim was born in rural Minnesota but has spent most of her adult life in central Illinois. She studied art at LLCC, Sangamon State University, University of Minnesota, Arrowmont School in Tennessee and Penland School in North Carolina. Her work has been exhibited in Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Atlanta, Seattle and throughout the Midwest.