Since 2003, Marcia Eames-Sheavly has helped students make connections between the world of art and the world of plants. Her hands-on Art of Horticulture course fills quickly and challenges students to consider plants both as the subject of art and as materials for creating art.

This past spring’s final projects provided stellar examples of the latter, including a larger-than-life sod cow reclining in front of Morrison Hall created by Danielle Hodgins ‘08. The banner for this issue of eCALSconnect features a photo of the class gathered around the sod cow.

“I’m constantly amazed by the quality and creativity of the projects students tackle,” says Eames-Sheavly, a senior extension associate in the Department of Horticulture, as well as an accomplished painter. This year’s submissions included everything from seed mosaics to living-grass handbags to woven-wood meditation huts.
 

photo/Craig Cramer

Casara Ferretti created these floral-themed batiks

photo/Craig Cramer

Jennifer Beauboeuf crafted this greenhouse garden.

photo/Craig Cramer

Alexandra Pivoda and Jon Bellante cooked-up this fruit-themed place-setting.

photo/Craig Cramer

Leonora Harrison fashioned this batik skirt.

On May 8, the Food Science Club held their first annual Food Olympics and BBQ on the Ag Quad. To the delight of the hosts, the food sold out and competition was tight for events like Oreo stacking, baguette javelin, and melon bowling. The competition came down the the final event of speed eating various Little Debbie snack cakes.

photo/Linda Schmidt

Baguette javelin competition featured a range of forms and techniques.

photo/Linda Schmidt

The barbeque, prepared by CIA-trained chefs, sold out.

photo/Linda Schmidt

Oreo stacking witnessed new heights of concentration and tension.

Cornellia the highlight of Mann's Topping Off Party

Mann Library's "Topping Off Party" on April 26, saw Cornellia hoisted to the top of the library in celebration of the completion of the structural skeleton of the renovated building. Cornellia was selected as the symbol highlighting the land-grant ideals of the Colleges of Agriculture and Life Sciences and Human Ecology, who collaborate to share Mann Library.

photo/Eveline Ferretti

Cornellia the cow was the main attraction of the topping off ceremony for the Mann Library reconstruction project.