photo: Marina Rios, 2025
I utilize traditional methods of creating scientific illustrations through drawing, painting, and printmaking. Although I broadly depict wildlife, I am most interested in bird species. I find it is just as important when creating my work to not only focus on capturing the life of these animals but also making conservation education more approachable through visual language.
ARTIST STATEMENT
Willow “Wilma” Edmonds is from Indian Land, South Carolina and currently resides in Glenside, Pennsylvania to pursue a BA in Scientific Illustration from Arcadia University.
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.
Since September of 2022, Willow has worked at Arcadia Exhibitions as the Design & Marketing Lead under Matthew Borgen, director. They produce print-ready and digital marketing materials, as well as provide curatorial assistance, for four rotating gallery spaces.
BIO
Education
2026
BA Scientific Illustration, Arcadia University, Glenside, Pennsylvania
Group Exhibitions
2026
Student Biennial 2026, Arcadia Exhibitions, Glenside, Pennsylvania; Gerard Silva, juror
2025
The Night(mare) Before Thesis, Judith Taylor Student Gallery, Arcadia Art + Design Department, Glenside, Pennsylvania
2025 Marian Hagins Memorial Art Competition, Lancaster County Council of the Arts, Lancaster, South Carolina
2024
Student Biennial 2024, Arcadia Exhibitions, Arcadia University, Glenside, Pennsylvania / Juror: Samantha Mitchell, Exhibitions Director, Center for Creative Works
2023
The Royal (Ave) Visit: A Juried Student Photography Exhibition, Arcadia Exhibitions, Arcadia University, Glenside, Pennsylvania / Juror: Adam Hess, Director, Landman Library
2022
NFFTY 2022: Crunch, Shhh ; National Film Festival for Talented Youth, Seattle, Washington
Grants + Awards
2023
Bianca Foundation x Arcila Adams Trans Resource Center Micro Grant, William Way Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
2021
SCGSAH Purchase Award, South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities, Greenville, South Carolina
Curatorial Assistance
2025
Forward Progress: Faculty + Staff Exhibition, Arcadia Exhibitions, Arcadia University, Glenside, Pennsylvania / Under: Matthew Borgen, Director, Arcadia Exhibitions / Co-Curators: Molly Russom, Kelsie Winship
2024
No Particular Order: Illustrations by Anuj Shrestha, Arcadia Exhibitions, Arcadia University, Glenside, Pennsylvania / Under: Matthew Borgen, Director, Arcadia Exhibitions
2024
Kris Graves: Privileged Mediocrity — Memorialization in America, Arcadia Exhibitions, Arcadia University, 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 Department, The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
2023—Present
Design & Marketing Lead, Arcadia Exhibitions, Glenside, Pennsylvania
2022—2023
Visitor Experience & Information Assistant, Arcadia Exhibitions, Glenside, Pennsylvania