Jenny McGee
Jan. 21, 2025
Contact: Eric Stann, 573-882-3346, StannE@missouri.edu
Photos by Sophia Scheller
One of the University of Missouri’s gems is hidden right below your feet.
Every day, more than 44,000 students, faculty, staff and visitors encounter beautiful perennials, majestic trees, striking ornamental shrubs and colorful flowers as they enter and cross Mizzou’s campus. Yet, many may not know the university’s natural landscape is a certified botanic garden, like the Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis or the Smithsonian Gardens in Washington, D.C.
For more than 25 years, this vibrant garden has served as more than just a gorgeous space. From plant sciences to engineering, journalism, education and natural resources, the Mizzou community has benefited from its use as a cornerstone of learning, innovation and community engagement. To celebrate Mizzou's natural legacy, The Mizzou Store launched a Mizzou Botanic Garden (MUBC) product line in 2023.
This year, Missouri artist Jenny McGee is adding her touch to the MUBC collection. Visitors to The Mizzou Store will have the opportunity to own a piece of her captivating artwork on items including drinkware, note cards, magnets, prints, stickers, tote bags, t-shirts and more. A portion of sales from the collection — available in spring 2025 — goes back to support the garden.
Here, McGee shares a sneak peek into the creative process for her MUBG-inspired designs.
Can you explain the theme for your collaboration with The Mizzou Store?
The MUBG deserves to be celebrated and cherished, and I’m beyond grateful to play a part in honoring its legacy of more than 25 years through my art. These gardens don’t just bring us aesthetic beauty and peaceful walks; they also serve as hubs for education, research and economic growth. It’s incredible to see how many purposes these gardens serve, and I’m thrilled to highlight that in my artwork.
Can you describe each piece of art?
Each piece is truly a labor of love! One piece focuses on native flowers in the Coneflower Garden and pollinator plots, as well as non-native favorites, including peonies and roses. The other piece focuses on the special trees on the grounds, such as the American Sycamore and oak tree collection.
What elements of the Mizzou Botanic Garden inspired you the most when developing your designs?
Honestly, what inspired me most was the deeper purpose of these gardens and how they serve such an important role on campus. The Mizzou Botanic Garden just celebrated its 25th anniversary. For 25 years, this garden has been a living testament to the beauty of nature. I have walked on campus for years and I don't think I ever truly soaked in and appreciated all the care and purpose that goes into the gardens until now. That legacy really moved me and fueled my creative process.
What materials and techniques did you find best represented the natural textures and colors of the garden?
I worked with artisanal papers for their rich, natural feel. Many of them are made of plant material and grass, and I layered each piece to mimic the textures of the plants. I hand-cut each petal, leaf, pollinator and tree from these artisanal papers, layering them meticulously to create depth and life. Using the grass paper as a base was a must because it adds this earthy tone that ties everything together.
One of my favorite elements was creating the monarch butterfly. To me, it symbolizes what the botanical garden brings to everyone — a chance to break free from their cocoons, spread their wings and thrive. This representation felt particularly meaningful, as it mirrors the transformative impact of nature and learning. Each piece was designed with care to reflect the beauty and purpose of the garden.
Why is it special for you to collaborate with the university on Mizzou Botanic Garden-inspired artwork?
This collaboration feels like coming full circle. To be able to create artwork inspired by the gardens that so many people walk by every day feels deeply meaningful. It’s a chance to highlight not just the beauty but the purpose behind these spaces. I hope it brings more attention and appreciation to what they represent. Plus, as an artist, it’s always a joy to work with a place that values creativity and connection as much as I do.
Mizzou is a special place for me. I have so many friends who work on campus, and I love how much joy it brings our community.
