Concept for Pharmacy Domesticus in Russ Pitman Park, by Urban Artist Claudia Franco, 2008

An outdoor art exhibition, Human Nature Planted, in Russ Pitman Park, 7112 Newcastle, Bellaire, TX, from April 4, through May 2, 2009.  The show explored the human handprint in the natural world and how it positively and negatively influences the environment.

Like people, the mix of native and non-native plants in the nature conservancy in Russ Pitman Park have learned to manage their natural habitat, to negotiate reserves such as nutrients in the soil, rainfall for root stimulation, and sun and shade for natural air conditioning. Twelve Texas artists installed their sculptural installations while considering growth patterns of urban flora to generate their own creations. They introduced natural and man-made materials into the garden to show beneficial or destructive forces at play when competing for natural resources. The opening reception for the exhibition is free to the public from 5-7 pm, on Saturday, April 4, 2009. Park hours are 9 am - 9 pm, every day.

June Woest, founder of Urban Artists studio, and assistant Claudia Franco coordinated the park exhibition in conjunction with the Nature Discovery Center in Bellaire. One of the missions of Urban Artists is to create sculpture that is community aware and environmentally conscious. The Urban Artists work in the domestic landscape and investigate the relationships between human behavior, health, and the environment. The group works cooperatively with communities via exhibition, research, and collaboration. In the Woest & Urban Artists' artwork, thousands of orange prescription bottles appear oddly organic and naturalistic up close, but out of place when viewed at a distance. The sheer number of prescription bottles make visible the incredible advances of science and medicine in our culture while questioning the impact of the industry on the natural environment.