The Ozarks Studies Institute, an initiative of the MSU Libraries, will host Michelle Olsen, Ph.D. for an author talk and signing of her newly published book, “Crystallofolia: Frost Flowers.”
The free-and-open-to-the-public event will be held at 5 p.m. Jan. 26 in the Ozarks Room (302) of the Duane G. Meyer Library on the MSU Springfield Campus. Free parking is available in Lot 19 at 919 S. John Q. Hammons Pkwy.
About the book
“Crystallofolia: Frost Flowers” is a photographic journey through Ozarks terrain, documenting a phenomenon unique to this region of the country. Frost flowers, also called Crystallofolia, are ice sculptures that extrude from the stem of the Verbesina virginica plant in late fall, winter, and early spring, when the temperatures are cool enough for this natural art to emerge. Through photos and whimsical text, Olsen’s book narrates her own journey of discovery and deeper learning about this subject.
The book, published by the Ozarks Studies Institute, will be available for purchase at the event. It is also available for purchase online and in-person at Meyer Library. Pricing is $29.95 for paperback and $59.95 for hardcover: msulib.me/frostflowers.
More on the author
Dr. Michelle Olsen is the Director of Institutional Research at Missouri State. She has a doctorate in teaching and learning in higher education and spent many years in the classroom, as well as writing curriculum for both the traditional classroom and distance education. She eventually took her experiences writing curriculum into the corporate world, and she found herself implementing student information systems and writing technical training manuals for Apple Computer, Inc. Her work with relational data systems paved the path into educational research at MSU.
Olsen’s research and teaching background, combined with her love of nature and lifelong learning, led to her field work and photography of one of only four plants native to Missouri known to produce frost flowers, the Verbesina virginica.
About the Ozarks Studies Institute
The Ozarks Studies Institute, an initiative of the Missouri State University Libraries, seeks to preserve the history and culture of the Ozarks by fostering a comprehensive knowledge of Ozarks’ people and their heritage. The institute serves as an educational resource by collecting and discovering new knowledge about the Ozarks and providing access to that knowledge.