This exhibition tells stories of America through a variety of artworks representing trees. From nineteenth century paintings that reveal how timber played a central role in the colonization and exploitation of the land, to works by Indigenous artists that emphasize reciprocal relationships with the natural world, the exhibition highlights how artists use trees to express national, cultural, spiritual, and personal identities in the United States.
BRANCH coincides with nation-wide commemorations of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and invites viewers to consider how trees can be seen as arboreal sentinels to American interests in expansion, occupation, conservation, and culture. Although unified by a single motif, the diversity of locations, species, and perspectives represented in the artworks mirrors a varied ecosystem and contributes to a more inclusive national narrative.
For additional information about America250PA events and other historical locations and activities happening in Cumberland County throughout 2026: https://www.visitcumberlandvalley.com/explore/america-250/
BRANCH PRESS RELEASE
Image: Kay WalkingStick (b. 1935), Spirit Center II (detail), 1992, oil stick on paper mounted on canvas, 30 x 60 in. Art Bridges.
