It's an old-fashioned garden party

Artist works on large floral mural

Artist Louise Jones (aka Ouizi) works on her outdoor floral mural in the Anderson Sculpture Garden. It covers a south-facing wall between the Hub and Morrill Hall. Photo by Christopher Gannon.

University Museums will host a garden party with Detroit-based outdoor mural artist Louise Jones on Thursday, Sept. 30 (4-5:30 p.m.) in the Anderson Sculpture Garden east of the Hub.

Jones, also known as Ouizi, is known for her large-scale murals depicting plants and animals specific to the installation sites. She visited campus in May and subsequently proposed a mural to create a welcoming space in the Anderson Sculpture Garden and ensure the garden is visually blooming year-round. Her mural highlights unique plants in the university's landscape, such as the "Golden Unicorn" Buck rose, hellebore and beautyberry.

The reception is free and open to the public. ISU Catering will serve custom treats inspired by the mural --that is, with vibrant colors and rich flavors -- each piece garnished with an edible flower. Guests are encouraged to wear something floral.

The new mural is considered long-term, temporary public art, made to last up to 30 years. It was commissioned by University Museums and funded by the Neva M. Petersen Endowment for art acquisitions for university museums' Art on Campus collection.