United States Botanic Garden Celebrates Unveiling of Borlaug Statue at U. S. Capitol
OHS art teacher and sculptor Matt Kargol (left) and Statuary Hall artist Benjamin Victor (right) pose behind the Norman Borlaug miniature.
March 11, 2014- Washington DC
The United States Botanic Garden (USBG) is celebrating the Iowa delegation’s official unveiling of the Dr. Norman Borlaug sculpture at the United States Capitol Statuary Hall scheduled to take place on March 25, which would have been his 100th birthday.
Dr. Norman Borlaug is often referred to as “the man who saved a billion people.” Working primarily in Mexico, Pakistan and India, Dr. Borlaug developed high-yield, disease-resistant wheat varieties that saved a billion people from starvation. He is one of only three Americans who have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal.
In celebration of Dr. Borlaug’s legacy and the contemporary challenge of improving food security through botanical and agricultural means, the United States Botanic Garden will host a series of programs, exhibits and lectures from March through the summer. Lectures coincide with the unveiling of the Borlaug statue at the US Capitol including one by the sculptor, Ben Victor.
· Monday, March 24 at noon – Ben Victor lectures on the creation of the Dr. Norman Borlaug statue, to be unveiled in Statuary Hall.
· Tuesday, March 25 at noon and 6:30 Todd Brethauer lectures about Dr. Borlaug’s life and decades of work in plant breeding.
· Tuesday, March 25 – Amber Waves of Grain. An exhibit on wheat, the work of Dr. Norman Borlaug and the ongoing research into curing wheat disease opens in the West Gallery.
· Saturday, May 28 – Amber Waves of Grain is expanded outside with a larger exhibit of planted beds and interpretive panels focusing on wheat. Fields of golden wheat have captured the imagination of many artists and have also captured our palates, serving as the main ingredient in some of our most recognizable foods like bread, pasta, pizza, tortillas and cake. As one of the oldest domesticated plants, wheat laid the foundation for Western civilization and is now grown on every continent except Antarctica. Experience the beauty of this important plant, learn how the amazing diversity of wheat has led this simple grain to permeate our art, culture and cuisine and the work of Dr. Norman Borlaug. The summer exhibition also features programing, children’s activities, and a June 14, 2014 Family Festival.
For more information on the United States Botanic Garden, visit www.usbg.gov and on the Borlaug statue, visit www.iowaborlaugstatue.org
