Wicked Plant Art

A wickedly imaginative blend of art and nature, Carmen McCullough’s Wicked Plant Art returns home to Detroit Lakes, Minnesota in October 2025. 

McCullough’s Wicked Plant Art isn’t just a collection of artwork – it’s a homegrown story with roots beyond Detroit Lakes. The artwork was originally created for and displayed at the Lauritzen Botanical Gardens in Omaha, Nebraska in 2024, where it complemented their annual showcase of real, live Wicked Plants.

The collection reflects the dark obsession of a curious botanist logging sketches, photos, and handwritten notes into her research journal. You’ll see Stinging Nettle, Hemlock, Poppies, Foxglove, and more. While beautiful and sometimes helpful in small doses, their toxic personalities can also cause discomfort, pain, and even death. “As the saying goes, ‘the dose makes the poison’ – and that couldn’t be more true for these plants,” says McCullough.

This wicked art collection can now be seen in an indoor-outdoor exhibit featuring both original artwork and digital reproductions in three locations across Detroit Lakes.

• Ortenstone Gardens & Sculpture Park (28499 Randolph Road) – Experience digital reproductions of the artwork along the Aspen Overlook Trail.
• Becker County Museum (714 Summit Avenue) – See the original collage artwork here.
• Bluebird Books (813 Washington Avenue) – Select canvas prints from the series are available here.

The exhibits will remain open during each venue’s operating hours through January 15, 2026. This exhibition is free and open to the public – thanks to Project 412 Wave Maker supporters.