While most admire Minnesota’s lakes and rivers from above, artist Samantha Reiter-Johnson explores what hides beneath – an entire microscopic universe teeming with life. Through her project “Beyond the Surface: Biological Art of Minnesota,” Samantha brings this hidden world into focus, one illustration at a time.
“Art will always be a powerful tool for telling scientific stories and engaging the public,” Samantha explains. The project, funded by a SEMAC Individual Artist grant, allowed her to collect samples from waterways in every county in southeastern Minnesota, rendering microscopic observations into art illustrations that educate and inspire.
The project rippled through the community. Her February 2024 artist reception at Lake City Area Arts drew over 50 attendees, with many more viewing the exhibition during its run. Visitors were both amazed and occasionally terrified to learn about the organisms they’d been swimming alongside for years. Through her art, the community gained a deeper appreciation for protecting our natural waters and understanding the delicate balance of our local watersheds.
For Samantha, the grant provided more than just financial support – it offered the freedom to fully immerse herself in research and exploration. “As an artist, it can sometimes be difficult to focus your efforts on a new and innovative project due to time and financial constraints,” she shares. The funding enabled her to invest in quality materials to preserve her work and dedicate time to perfecting her craft.
The success of this project has carved new channels of opportunity. Samantha has recently been awarded another SEMAC Individual Artist grant to continue exploring the intersection of science and art with an upcoming 2025 project focusing on bee vision and native plants at Quarry Hill Nature Center in Rochester.Building on her experience as a grantee, SEMAC welcomes Samantha’s insights to SEMAC’s Arts Advisory Panel as one of our newest panelists.
To follow Samantha’s future projects and explorations, find her on Instagram: @chlorocreations.