The Museum of Russian Art is pleased to present:

How Can We Help Bees?  An Evening with the University of Minnesota Bee Squad

Join us at The Museum of Russian Art for an evening of education about the health of the bee population and what we can do to help.  TMORA’s Mezzanine Gallery exhibition Inside the Beehive: Art of Garen Bedrossian not only highlights collaborative works between the artist and bees but also explores the relationship between humans and their environment, thereby granting the perfect opportunity to showcase this important conversation.  Bees play a keystone role in the productivity of agriculture and the beauty of our world through the pollination of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and flowers. The disruption of natural habitats leading to lack of “bee flowers,” the widespread overuse of pesticides, and numerous bee diseases and parasites have pushed honey bees to the tipping point. Our native bees are also in decline due to unprecedented habitat loss, pesticide contamination, and their own diseases. However, there are key ways that you can help pollinators!

Doors open at 5:45pm  |  Presentation begins at 6:30pm

TICKETS:  TMORA Members  $12  |  General Admission  $15  |  Students (with ID)  $5

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ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA BEE SQUAD

Inspired by Dr. Marla Spivak at the University of Minnesota Bee Lab, the Bee Squad helps beekeepers and the community in the Twin Cities promote the conservation, health, and diversity of bee pollinators through research, education, and hands-on mentorship.

ABOUT THE EXHIBITION

In TMORA’s Mezzanine Gallery, Armenian-Canadian artist Garen Bedrossian showcases his fascinating nature-centered project, Inside the Beehive. The exhibition investigates the relationship between humans and their environment bringing the splendor and intricacy of nature’s creations to the forefront.  Bedrossian produced a series of small, vibrantly colored paintings that were then placed inside beehives for a prolonged period of time. Bees covered the pieces with waxwork patterns, complementing, and sometimes obliterating, the original painting. Honeybee colony loss has soared in recent years while humans depend on bees as pollinators to raise crops.  Garen Bedrossian’s works aim to remind us that collaboration with, and respect for, nature is key to human survival.

Bedrossian received professional education at the Academy of Arts in St. Petersburg and launched a creative career in Russia and his homeland of Armenia.  He moved to Canada, where he continues to produce paintings, drawings, prints, and sculptures.

On view in the Mezzanine Gallery September 15, 2018 – February 10, 2019