photo: Marina Rios, 2025
I utilize traditional methods of creating scientific illustrations through drawing, painting, and printmaking. Although I broadly depict flora and fauna, I am most interested in bird species. I find great importance in capturing the life and energy of these organisms whilst making conservation education more approachable through visual language.
ARTIST STATEMENT
Willow “Wilma” Edmonds is from Indian Land, South Carolina and received a BA in Scientific Illustration from Arcadia University, Glenside, Pennsylvania.
Their lifelong interest in birds and science has informed their artistic practice in printmaking, painting, and illustration. In the summer of 2024, they interned at The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University in the Ornithology Department, beginning the digitization of over 2,500 type specimens.
From 2022 through 2026, Willow worked at Arcadia Exhibitions as the Design & Marketing Lead under Matthew Borgen, director. They produced print-ready and digital marketing materials, as well as provided curatorial assistance, for four rotating gallery spaces.
BIO
CV
Education
2026
BA Scientific Illustration | Arcadia University, Glenside, Pennsylvania
Affiliations
Guild of Natural Science Illustrators | May 2026 – present
The Carolina Bird Club | June 2026 – present
Group Exhibitions
2027
The Koger Center Project (forthcoming) | The Koger Center for the Arts, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina
2026
Senior Thesis 2026 | Department of Art + Design, Arcadia University, Glenside, Pennsylvania
Student Biennial 2026 | Arcadia Exhibitions, Glenside, Pennsylvania; Gerard Silva, juror
2025
The Night(mare) Before Thesis | Department of Art + Design, Arcadia University, Glenside, Pennsylvania
2025 Marian Hagins Memorial Art Competition | Lancaster County Council of the Arts, Lancaster, South Carolina
2024
Student Biennial 2024 | Arcadia Exhibitions, Glenside, Pennsylvania / Juror: Samantha Mitchell
2023
The Royal (Ave) Visit: A Juried Student Photography Exhibition | Arcadia Exhibitions, Glenside, Pennsylvania / Adam Hess, juror
2022
NFFTY 2022: Crunch, Shhh | National Film Festival for Talented Youth, Seattle, Washington
Grants + Awards
2026
Best of Show | 2026 Plein Air Paint-Out, Arts Mount Holly, Mount Holly, North Carolina
Alumni Choice Award | Senior Thesis 2026, Department of Art + Design, Arcadia University, Glenside, Pennsylvania
2023
Bianca Foundation x Arcila Adams Trans Resource Center Micro Grant | William Way Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
2021
South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities Purchase Award | SCGSAH, Greenville, South Carolina
Curatorial Assistance
2025
Forward Progress: Faculty + Staff Exhibition | Arcadia Exhibitions, Glenside, Pennsylvania / Under: Matthew Borgen, Director, Arcadia Exhibitions / Co-Curators: Molly Russom, Kelsie Winship
2024
No Particular Order: Illustrations by Anuj Shrestha | Arcadia Exhibitions, Glenside, Pennsylvania / Under: Matthew Borgen, Director, Arcadia Exhibitions
Kris Graves: Privileged Mediocrity — Memorialization in America | Arcadia Exhibitions, Glenside, Pennsylvania / Under: Matthew Borgen, Director, Arcadia Exhibitions
Lectures + Talks
2022
NFFTY 2022: Crunch, Shhh | panelist, National Film Festival for Talented Youth, Seattle, Washington
Additional Experience
2024
Research Associate | Ornithology, The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
2023 — 2026
Design & Marketing Lead | Arcadia Exhibitions, Glenside, Pennsylvania
2022 — 2023
Visitor Experience & Information Assistant | Arcadia Exhibitions, Glenside, Pennsylvania