Valentina Pagetto

(any pronouns)

Italian-born illustrator based in 'Vancouver', located on the unceded ancestral and traditional territories of the Coast Salish peoples.

Working with both digital and acrylic media, they collaborate primarily with local environmental nonprofits to create vibrant, whimsical, and educational botanical drawings of Pacific Northwest native plant life.Clients include the David Suzuki Foundation, the Environmental Youth Alliance, the SpencerCreo Foundation, and the Cypress Community Garden.

© Valentina Pagetto. All rights reserved.


Indigenous Pollinator Plant Map Initiative (2019-21)

In collaboration with the David Suzuki Foundation's Butterfly Ranger Program, Valentina created 12 illustrations of pollinator plants native to the Lower Mainland. The art is accompanied by traditional teachings contributed by Métis Herbalist Lori Snyder and members of the Musqueam nation. It will be published as a reference booklet alongside the Rangers' planned Indigenous Pollinator Plant Map.


Cypress Pollinator Garden Installation (2021)

As part of the City of Vancouver's Neighborhood Grants Program, Valentina was commissioned to create an installation featuring illustrations of native butterflies. It is on display within the Cypress Community Garden's Pollinator Garden, part of the David Suzuki Foundation's butterflyway project.


© Valentina Pagetto. All rights reserved.

Indigenous Pollinator Plant Map Initiative (2019-21)

As a third-culture immigrant settler, it is important to Valentina to respect the longstanding relationship between the land they live on and the nations who have inhabited it for generations. It was an honor for them to work with Lori Snyder and the Musqueam Nation to communicate traditional Indigenous teachings through these illustrations. The artist’s intention for these pieces, developed through conversations with Lori, is to encourage others to connect with this land outside of colonial institutional contexts and to head outdoors to forge personal relationships with the native plants around them.Illustrations were created digitally. Click each image for a larger view.For more information, on the David Suzuki Foundation's IPP Map initiative, click here.

© Valentina Pagetto. All rights reserved.

Cypress Pollinator Garden Installation (2021)

Illustrations were created digitally and inkjet printed onto OHP (Overhead Projector) film, then were laminated and hung using fishing line. Click each image for a larger view.For more information on the Cypress Pollinator garden, click here.

© Valentina Pagetto. All rights reserved.