On Friday, Sept. 12, the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse University Art Gallery opened a new exhibition created by UWL Professor of Art Jennifer Williams. The exhibition, titled “Meditations on Trees and Stones,” features a range of paintings and mixed media pieces created during Williams’ sabbatical.
At the heart of this collection is the idea of immersion in nature and the sense of creative flow that arises when people pause and allow themselves to be fully present outdoors. The title gestures toward that dual act of reflection and observation–both the stillness of natural elements and the shifting awareness experienced when interacting with them.
“With trees we are conscious of looking up, as well as looking at them in relation to other trees and ourselves,” said Williams. She explained that this dual perspective between awe and intimacy runs through her work, encouraging viewers to consider not just what they see in the natural world, but how their bodies and minds respond to it.
These pieces illustrate the mind and body connection that people feel while being outside, whether it’s a hike or simply noticing the foliage and moss on the side of a tree trunk. Williams’ work embodies the idea of stepping away from the digital noise of modern life and into the slower rhythms of nature, where attention is drawn to colors, textures and patterns that often go unnoticed.
Students who have had the opportunity to attend the reception for Williams’ work describe it as both expressive and meditative. “I like how she was able to mix so many various colors to create all of these different emotions to be interpreted in different ways depending on the viewer,” said Sophie Almus, a UWL student.
For those seeking deeper insight into the creative process behind the exhibition, Williams will give an artist talk on Thursday, Oct. 2 at 6 p.m. in the University Art Gallery.
As “Meditations on Trees and Stones” unfolds, there will be a smaller gallery that will continue to evolve and change as time goes on, with new pieces added to it by Williams and her painting students as they participate in the 12th Annual “Between the Bluffs Plein Air Festival.” The plein air pieces are created on-site, outdoors and brought back to the gallery as they dry. These will continually refresh the exhibition, and visitors returning multiple times will witness the unfolding of this collaborative process over time.
Williams’ work can be a reminder of those grounded and relaxed moments in nature that suspend time, where there are no distractions. Williams’ art also gestures toward a broader awareness: that the materials the artists rely on, from pigments to paper, are themselves drawn from the earth. Nature is not only the subject of artistic expression but also its source.
“This gallery was a beautiful example of the different ways we can all find peace in nature. Reminding us to reflect on our own time spent in these tranquil spaces and connecting with our art,” said Emery Braun, a UWL student.
Through “Meditations on Trees and Stones,” Jennifer Williams offers more than a visual experience: She opens a space for reflection, connections and mindfulness. This exhibition encourages a deeper awareness of how art and nature mirror one another.
“Meditations on Trees and Stones” is on display until November 9. You can visit the University Art Gallery from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Thursday and from 1-5 p.m. Friday-Sunday.
