Whimsical giants take root: Morton Arboretum’s ‘Vivid Creatures’ exhibit springs to life

This spring, visitors to The Morton Arboretum will be greeted by a collection of massive, colorful, whimsical sculptures. The new exhibition, Vivid Creatures: Colorful Sculptures as Tall as Trees, opens Saturday, May 17, five larger-than-life sculptures of animals essential to the Illinois ecosystem nestled among the Arboretum’s lush landscape.

Created by Portland, Oregon-based artists Heather BeGaetz and Fez BeGaetz, the exhibit continues the Arboretum’s tradition of showcasing innovative outdoor art. This vibrant collection, making its debut at a public garden, includes sculptures of a white-tailed deer, dragonfly, sandhill crane, fox squirrel and brittle button snail, ranging from 8 to 23 feet tall.

“Each piece highlights the interconnected roles of animals, plants and people in supporting balanced ecosystems,” said Amy Scott, head of exhibitions at The Morton Arboretum. “While the sculptures are visually striking and fun to engage with, they also serve as tools to educate visitors about healthy habitats in Illinois.”

For Vivid Creatures, the artists focused on animals that either migrate through or are part of the Illinois region, selecting one of their subjects after a personal interaction. "Heather was having a conversation with one of the Arboretum's tree scientists, and our daughter Calliope and I met a squirrel," Fez BeGaetz said. "That's why the squirrel made it into the lineup."

Vivid Creatures is the largest exhibition to date for the duo, who are partners in life and art. They have created large-scale sculptures and environments exhibited internationally at numerous immersive art destinations, art and music festivals, conferences and urban spaces.

Four of the pieces will be along paved, accessible paths within a short walking distance from the central Visitor Center area. The fifth, the rainbow-colored brittle button snail, will be on a hill overlooking Interstate 88, a short walk from two of the Arboretum's East Side parking areas. This berm location visible along I-88 is where a piece from the Arboretum's former Troll Hunt exhibition (2018-2021) was a popular attraction. Previous sculptures have been placed throughout the Arboretum's 1,700 acres to encourage visitors to explore beyond the entrance area.

"Ensuring that this vibrant exhibition is physically accessible to all visitors is a top priority for us," Amy said. "By placing several sculptures along paved, ADA-compliant paths, we’ve created an inclusive experience that allows visitors of all abilities to engage with the art up close and enjoy the outdoor setting in a meaningful way.”

With more than a decade as an Antarctica expedition guide, Fez’s creative intelligence is deeply shaped by the artful forces of ice, wind and the sea. Heather's creative roots are in the performing arts as a theatrical writer, director, performer and mask maker, which inform her large-scale sculptures and immersive art environments.

The presenting sponsor of Vivid Creatures is Northern Trust. Mark Gossett, executive vice president and chief risk officer at Northern Trust, serves as a trustee for The Morton Arboretum.

The new exhibition will be included free with general admission to The Morton Arboretum. (For more information, visit mortonarb.org.)