CFA Color Garden
Exploring art, nature, and community through plants
The Boston University CFA Color Garden is a student-led project that transforms a green space into a hub for learning, sustainability, and creative exploration. Located next to the College of Fine Arts at 855 Commonwealth Avenue, the garden invites students from all disciplines—as well as the broader Boston community—to engage with plants, cultural traditions, and sustainable practices. It reflects the next generation of artists’ commitment to community, beauty, and honoring the origins of materials through thoughtful approaches to color and pigment.
The CFA Color Garden is also a campus partner of BU Student Wellbeing, underscoring the many ways that time spent in nature supports our emotional, physical, and environmental wellbeing.
Established in Spring 2024, the CFA Color Garden serves as a meeting point for interdisciplinary collaboration. Students use the garden as inspiration for drawing, a source for natural dyes, and a space to explore Indigenous and sustainable art practices. By aligning with Boston University’s goals to expand sustainable green spaces, the garden raises awareness about plants and their cultural histories within an intentionally designed environment.
As President Melissa Gilliam remarked during her Inauguration, “Art and creativity can connect us and help us see our shared humanity,” highlighting the importance of integrating arts into campus life. The garden’s proximity to CFA makes it an ideal resource for student engagement and course integration, fostering deeper connections between nature, art, and education.
What We Do
Research
Investigating the use of plants and natural materials for use in art, design, and practical applications.
Community
Cultivating urban space for outdoor education, gardening, and land stewardship conversations.
Action
Encouraging sustainable practices through hands-on activities, collaborative workshops, and interactive learning experiences.
How to Get Involved
Join the CFA Color Garden and become part of a vibrant community exploring the intersection of art, sustainability, and nature. No experience is necessary—just bring your curiosity and enthusiasm! There are many ways to get involved, including attending workshops and events, helping with planting and maintenance, researching plants and projects, or joining the student organizing team.
Fill out the CFA Color Garden Contact Form to join the mailing list, express your interest, or leave a comment for the team.
CFA in Bloom
The project’s founding team considers the garden an outdoor community classroom. “That means two things,” says Lauren Boysa (CFA’25, CAS’27). “The first is a literal classroom for students to sit, observe, and draw,” she explains. “The second is a more abstract, community classroom, where anyone passing by can go in and learn something. Our garden is a piece of art, and everyone is contributing to it, whether they know it or not.”