LISLE, Ill. (June 4, 2025)— The Morton Arboretum’s newest exhibition, Vivid Creatures: Colorful Sculptures as Tall as Trees, is now fully installed and open to the public—offering visitors a summer of vibrant outdoor art and nature exploration. This five-piece installation by Portland-based artists Heather BeGaetz and Fez BeGaetz welcomes visitors of all ages to discover colorful, whimsical animal sculptures nestled among the Arboretum’s tree-filled landscapes.

Vivid Creatures, which will run through spring 2027, features five animals essential to the Illinois ecosystem—a white-tailed deer, sandhill crane, fox squirrel, brittle button snail, and blue dasher dragonfly—ranging from 8 to 23 feet tall.

“Guests can experience these large-scale, imaginative works immersed in the beautiful landscapes of the Arboretum,” said Amy Scott, the Arboretum’s head of exhibitions.. “The sculptures invite visitors of all ages to see familiar creatures in new, fantastical ways—and to consider their vital roles in our environment.”

The vibrant works are strategically placed at the Arboretum to encourage both accessibility and discovery. Four of the sculptures, Cadence, the sandhill crane, Scamp, the fox squirrel, Nimbly, the dragonfly, and Generosity, the white-tailed deer, are along paved, ADA-accessible paths near the Visitor Center. The fifth, Spectra, a rainbow-colored brittle button snail, appears perched on a scenic hill near Interstate 88, visible to highway travelers and trail walkers alike. “Accessibility and discovery were key in how we placed each piece,” said Scott. “We want visitors of all abilities to experience the art up close and connect with nature in meaningful ways.”

The artists designed each sculpture to evoke a sense of colorful wonder while deepening visitors’ connections to nature and place. “One of the things I’m really fascinated by is the way different creatures and different beings perceive color,” said artist Heather BeGaetz. “To me, changing the colors of these animals and bringing them into these wild palettes is possibly getting deeper into their story. Who knows how they see the world? But we like to see them in their most vivid possible imaginative way.”

This exhibition, along with the Arboretum’s dynamic summer programming, offers many entry points for families and individuals to explore nature through both science and imagination. Vivid Creatures is accompanied by a range of engaging summer experiences for all ages running through Labor Day weekend:

• Wonder Woods Mini Golf (open now through Sept. 1): This nine-hole, tree-themed course blends fun with science, sharing stories about tree rings, root systems, and forest biodiversity. Timed tickets, which must be purchased in addition to general Arboretum admission, are available online.
• Vivid Creations Art Workshop (Saturdays and Sundays, through Aug. 31): Free with general admission to the Arboretum, this hands-on artmaking activity in the Arboretum’s Children’s Garden lets families create their own works inspired by a different Vivid Creatures sculpture each month.
• Children’s Garden 20th Anniversary Programming: The Arboretum’s beloved four-acre nature play space for kids of all abilities is celebrating 20 years with special activities like Art in the Garden.

“Our goal is to provide opportunities for connection—between people and nature, and between families and their creativity,” said Emilian Geczi, the Arboretum’s manager of early childhood programs. “Whether you’re painting wings, putting on the mini golf course or meeting a dragonfly sculpture named Nimbly, there’s something magical here for everyone this summer.”

Northern Trust is the presenting sponsor of Vivid Creatures. The exhibition is included with general admission to the Arboretum. General admission to the Arboretum is on sale starting at $16.95 for tickets purchased in advance online. Discounts are available for seniors and children. Discounted evening admission is available after 5 p.m. on Thursdays now through Aug. 28, at just $5 per person (ages 4 and older); children 3 and under are admitted free. Last entry is one hour before sunset, and the Arboretum closes at sunset. Admission is always free for Arboretum members. For more information, visit mortonarb.org.