Uploaded May 2025 | Updated September 2026, 12 hours ago
What began as a student internship project at the University of Kentucky has blossomed into a public art exhibition that brought together over 600 visitors from across the Bluegrass. Resiliently Rooted: From Roots to Canopy, organized by the Urban Forestry Initiative within the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, asked a powerful question: How do trees inspire and sustain us?
This five-day event at the Bolivar Art Gallery showcased more than 30 pieces from Kentucky residents of all ages—ranging from student artists and retirees to professionals. The result was a moving celebration of urban trees and community connection through sculpture, photography, mixed media, and more.
Graciela Martinez, a junior in Environmental and Sustainability Studies, led the effort as part of her UFI internship, blending her passion for forestry and the arts to spark deeper public engagement with the natural world.
Learn how one student’s vision became a platform for creativity, community collaboration, and sustainability education across Kentucky.
To read the full story: https://news.ca.uky.edu/article/resiliently-rooted-roots-canopy-brings-urban-forestry-and-art-together
To learn more about the Urban Forestry Initiative, visit: https://ufi.ca.uky.edu
Contact: Lynn Phillips, Lynn.Phillips@uky.edu
Media Inquiries: C.E. Huffman, ce.huffman@uky.edu
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The Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment serves the people of Kentucky and the world, through unparalleled teaching, transformative research and relevant service to farms, families and communities. The college proudly continues to build upon its land grant tradition with a strong commitment to improve lives and to build a sustainable future. Learn more: ca.uky.edu
Apply and start your future in the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment: students.ca.uky.edu/future-students
The University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service provides practical education you can trust to help people, businesses, and communities solve problems, develop skills, and build a better future. Find an office near you: extension.ca.uky.edu
What began as a student internship project at the University of Kentucky has blossomed into a public art exhibition that brought together over 600 visitors from across the Bluegrass. Resiliently Rooted: From Roots to Canopy, organized by the Urban Forestry Initiative within the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, asked a powerful question: How do trees inspire and sustain us?
This five-day event at the Bolivar Art Gallery showcased more than 30 pieces from Kentucky residents of all ages—ranging from student artists and retirees to professionals. The result was a moving celebration of urban trees and community connection through sculpture, photography, mixed media, and more.
Graciela Martinez, a junior in Environmental and Sustainability Studies, led the effort as part of her UFI internship, blending her passion for forestry and the arts to spark deeper public engagement with the natural world.
Learn how one student’s vision became a platform for creativity, community collaboration, and sustainability education across Kentucky.
To read the full story: https://news.ca.uky.edu/article/resiliently-rooted-roots-canopy-brings-urban-forestry-and-art-together
To learn more about the Urban Forestry Initiative, visit: https://ufi.ca.uky.edu
Contact: Lynn Phillips, Lynn.Phillips@uky.edu
Media Inquiries: C.E. Huffman, ce.huffman@uky.edu
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The Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment serves the people of Kentucky and the world, through unparalleled teaching, transformative research and relevant service to farms, families and communities. The college proudly continues to build upon its land grant tradition with a strong commitment to improve lives and to build a sustainable future. Learn more: ca.uky.edu
Apply and start your future in the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment: students.ca.uky.edu/future-students
The University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service provides practical education you can trust to help people, businesses, and communities solve problems, develop skills, and build a better future. Find an office near you: extension.ca.uky.edu
