Murray State University celebrates Earth Day 2026 with its fourth annual Nature Art Exhibition

MURRAY, Ky. — In celebration of Earth Day 2026 and to raise awareness of biological conservation through art, Murray State University and regional communities exhibited their works at the Biology Atrium during the month of April. 

The sponsors of this event included the Jesse D. Jones College of Science, Engineering and Technology; Watershed Studies Institute; the Murray State University’s Department of Biological Sciences and Department of Art and Design; and the Murray Art Guild.

This year, more than 65 artworks were submitted, and 30 of them were selected for exhibition by the judging panel. The judging panel included Executive Director of Murray Art Guild Debi Danielson; Professor Cintia Segovia from the Department of Art and Design, and Drs. Kate He and Howard Whiteman from the Department of Biological Sciences.

Participants of this year’s exhibition included students, staff and faculty from various departments, as well as professional artists and nature lovers from the region. Segovia announced the competition winners at the reception, which was held in the Murray State University Logan Hall Biology Atrium on April 23.

The Best Overall Award winner was Dr. Dena Weinberger from Murray, Kentucky, for her work entitled “Inside the Colony.”

Weinberger described her artwork: “‘Inside the Colony’ is an ink mandala of a colony of ants. Everyone has a job. Some workers feed the queen at the center who is laying eggs, which are cared for by nurse workers as they progress through larval and pupal stages. Other workers are digging or foraging. Soldiers patrol the entrance and drones fly away to mate. To complete the circle of life that a mandala represents, find the dead ant.”

The Second Place Award winner was Stephanie Young from Paducah, Kentucky. Her artwork title was “Belly up on the Ohio.” 

Young summarized her artwork: “The photo was taken early one summer morning at the foot of Broadway in Paducah, Kentucky. We pride ourselves on our hospitality to our river visitors but sometimes nature has other plans. Sunny days and higher temperatures lower the oxygen level in the water, killing many larger fish and creating a very unpleasant, smelly greeting!”

The Third Place Award winner was Dr. Laura Sullivan-Beckers from Murray, Kentucky. Her work was titled “Migratory Freedom.” 

Sullivan-Beckers described her artwork: “My art piece is a monotype featuring a distinctly migratory woodpecker, the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, perched on the Statue of Liberty. The print was made by transferring a photograph of the woodpecker (taken by me) to a gel plate along with a stock image of the statue. The transferred images were then painted on the plate before printing. The piece reflects the artist's observations of how individual freedoms wax and wane in America, much like the departure and return of migratory birds.”

Honorable Mention Award winners were Amanda Peiffer from Murray, Kentucky, for “On the Tip of My Finger” and Landann Brown from Mayfield, Kentucky, for “Renewal.” 

Peiffer describes her photo: “This photograph was taken while I was hiking out in Land Between the Lakes, looking for salamanders near a natural spring. Perched on the tip of my index finger is a northern zigzag salamander (Plethodon dorsalis). I was wearing nitrile gloves so the oils on my hands don't transfer. While handling it, I was struck by the fragility of life. How often have we walked by an overturned log or an unassuming stone and never realized the life hidden beneath? Humans have such a catastrophic effect on wildlife and the environment. It's important that we realize the impact we have and work to protect the species that we share this planet with.”

Brown told the audience that “Renewal” was created as a playful, quilt-inspired reflection on ecosystems, seasonal rhythms, and the overlap of science and spirituality. The migratory loon, the yellow perch, the frog and snail, the hints at biological concepts down to the cellular level, are all hints at the interconnectedness of life and the inevitable renewal of it come spring. 

The exhibition organizer, Dr. Kate He, believes that this collaborative project provides a great opportunity for students, professional and amateur artists and nature lovers to showcase their talents, and at the same time to communicate with the public about the importance of keeping a healthy Earth for all. He would like to thank all individuals involved in the project, especially, Heather Kirks and Michele Weaver from the Department of Biological Sciences; Barbara Like and Gerry Harris from Watershed Studies Institute, who provided tremendous support to make this event successful.