Ethnobotany and the Expressive Arts for Change
The Ethnobotany and the Expressive Arts for Change provides opportunities for GEN2050 students to combine their interests in science and the arts. Ethnobotany is the study of how people of a particular culture and region make use of indigenous (native) plants. Throughout human history, people have depended on plants for their primary needs and survival. People have experimented and continued to use plants in various ways, passing along increasingly sophisticated knowledge from generation to generation. Plants are used to make food, medicine, shelter, dyes, fibers, oils, resins, gums, soaps, waxes, latex, and tannins. People also use plants in ceremonies such as weddings, funerals, and seasonal celebrations. Plants are depicted in the expressive arts such as dance, music, illustration, ceramics, and sculpture.
One example of ethnobotany is the Medellin Flower Festival, an annual festival established in 1957, in Colombia. Community members parade with Silletas, wooden chairs, bearing the weight of beautiful floral bouquets carried on peoples backs. Watch this micro-documentary to learn more about the history of this unique ceremony.
During GEN2050 Summer Camp 2019, students began to learn botany and the techniques for collecting and cataloguing native and invasive plants species found at Patch of Heaven Sanctuary. This work inspired their interest in how plants are used around the world.
GEN2050 student botany specimens, illustrations, and poetry were showcased during the July 2019 GEN2050 Bats, Bees, and Butterflies Reception and at the September 2019 TCT Family Expo.
GEN2050® Arts & Culture Advisor
Zachary D. Freeman is a quintessential renaissance man. As a student-athlete at Cornell College (Mt. Vernon, IA), Zachary was a defensive lineman on the Cornell Football Team, a singer-songwriter, lead vocalist, and lead guitarist in the band “Lost Boys”, all while studying to receive his Bachelor’s degree - double majoring in Political Science and History. Mr. Freeman graduated from Cornell College in 2011. Currently, Zachary serves as the Senior Director of Creative Arts and Communication at Christ Community Church in St. Charles, Illinois. His portfolio includes serving as lead vocalist, guitarist, songwriter, recording artist, and mentor to young worship leaders and emerging songwriters, vocalists, and musicians. In addition to mentoring young leaders, Zachary and his wife, Daniella, pour their wisdom and vision into the role of parenting their two children.
