Cultivate Urban Rainforest & Gallery (Cultivate for short) is coming up on its first anniversary. We are located at 704 Main, Evanston. Where did I get the Idea? Several years ago discovered that plants are toxic for cats. As a cat mom I began the search for what plants are safe for cats. That search was much harder then I thought. I looked on line, asked different garden centers, and even my veterinary office for assistance. The information largely consisted of perennials and annuals but little in the way of houseplants. Until I knew what plants were non-toxic I decided I had to give away all of my plants. One day I hoped I would find both the information needed along with the plants.

Over the years I would try again and with no luck. That all changed at the end of 2014 when I found a huge data base that I could rely on. My next task was to begin sifting for house plants that I could reintroduce plants back into my own home. I had one more qualification. I did not want the same old plants. One would think there would was only populated by 20 plants.

It was during this time that I realized many other cat parents were in the same situation as me. Why not make it easy to find plants that are interesting and non-toxic for their cats. While for me the quest started with cats I realized that parents of young children and dogs were in a similar situation. While they would be able to move small plants out of reach they could choose from non-toxic plants they could have more freedom of placement.

In addition to finding non toxic plants I wanted to provide the safe and unique was to display plants that are know to be toxic or not any the list. That is when I found great containers for terrariums and other cool enclosures.

Why make such a huge effort to have houseplants? The reasons are many. One reason is they are good for your health. Indoor pollution is surprisingly worse then that of outdoor air quality. Houseplants can help you filter your air. NASA went to the trouble of testing house plants and their ability to filter the air. The optimal number of plants to get the job done.

https://www.lovethegarden.com/community/fun-facts/nasa-guide-air-filtering-houseplants

A hand full the plants from the above list are non-toxic for pets.

Plants have a true ability to add beauty and wonder to our lives. I decided to have plants that are more out of the ordinary to share what is a small fraction of the amazing variety of shapes, colors, textures, and adaptions there are in the plant world. What many people know as philodendron is actually and entire genus of plant that consists of 489 species.

Why art with plants? Well to me it was natural choice. So much of the world of design and art are feed by patterns from nature. Weather it is the Acanthus leaf copied in architecture or the color of a moth’s wings in paint colors. I wanted to create a space that was warm and alive and to help others recreate that for themselves where they live and work.

Art can provide us with new perspectives and can feed our soul. I find that because the art gallery is combined with the plant shop the gallery work is being shared with a wider audience than perhaps the average art gallery. I showcase art that is informed by the natural world and is created by local artists.

Cultivate Urban Rainforest & Gallery opened with Barbara Schneider’s quilts of water reflections in Venice. Currently on display and available are the works of Lucy Slivinski: A Flowering Life. Lucy has incorporated salvaged materials into sculptural lighting that she designed and fabricated. Her work investigates the phenomenon of nature and the adventure of creation.

Community at Cultivate happens in many ways. We have classes for kids and adults in terrarium making and plant care. Cultivate has artist receptions every 2 months that are open to the community. We have been blessed to have so many wonderful neighbors. we love it when we meet new friends and check in with old ones. We have had been a part of 50^th birthdays, 12year old birthday, a wedding terrarium party, and knitting groups. We are Watch for our free music performances this summer.

For more information, visit their website at http://cultivateurbanrainforest.com.

By: Louise Rosenberg, Former Heartwood Member