Natural Migration – Milkweed is a visual art exhibit created by Raíces Cultural Center’s Fall 2025 artist in residence Jimena Vega. While the residency project has concluded, you asked for more viewing dates so we will hold a closing reception!

About the Exhibit

“Natural Migration” is Jimena Vega’s brief exploration of the native plant milkweed. Milkweed is one of the essential plants that support the ecosystems of monarch butterflies in their migration journey between the United States and Mexico. Both beings, the milkweed and the monarch, create and sustain a symbiotic relationship for mutual survival, while also supporting the lives of a variety of other plants and insects across the continent. What could humans learn from the wisdom of these beings? How can these interactions help us reflect on the relationships we create with each other? Featuring multimedia work by Jimena as well as locally-sourced, community-made botanical art, “Natural Migration” pushes its viewers to reimagine what it means to be part of an ecosystem and what it means to migrate.

Closing Reception

The closing reception for this exhibit will be held on January 18, 11am-1pm at Raíces Cultural Center, and will include original artwork by Jimena as well as artwork created by participants of Jimena’s October 2025 Plantitas Que Hablan EcoArt Workshops.

Project Support for the Exhibit

Though the Fall Art Residency project is complete, we want to give thanks and credit to the funders who helped make the exhibit installation happen!

Grant funding has been provided by the Middlesex County Board of County Commissioners through a grant award from the Middlesex County Cultural and Arts Trust Fund. For information on events, go to MiddlesexCountyCulture.com.

Made possible by funds from Middlesex County, a partner of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.

Additional support has been provided by the Highland Park Arts Commission.