Through October, the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden will "Celebrate the Children" through an
art exhibition of beautiful, hand-crafted bronze sculptures of children, which are displayed
throughout the garden. The exhibit features more than 25 different,
hand-produced, bronze sculptures, many of which are of his own children. The
11-foot sculpture, "Celebration!" features joyous children
celebrating life and soaring around the globe. The exhibition encourages guests
to revisit childhood memories such as singing Ring-Around-The-Rosie in
"Circle of Peace" with five children or playing in the grass near one
of the four "Cartwheel" statues. The pieces range from 2 to 7.5 feet
tall with one sculpture weighing more than 1,300 lbs.
We enjoyed having the opportunity to hear the artist, Gary Lee Price, speak about how art has been therapeutic for him and how he became inspired to create these beautiful statues. You can hear a little about his story in this video below:
Rachel saw this sweet statue of a mom holding her little girl up in the air. She laughed and asked me to pick her up like that. Sorry, baby girl but you are on your own. I do miss those days when my kids were little enough to hold up in the air like that. Savor the days, Mama!
Anytime we go to the Arboretum, I always make sure that we spend some time in the Rory Meyers Children's Adventure Garden. It is so much fun for kids but there is so much to learn here too!
Speaking of learning, there is a homeschool class coming up next week called Wetlands Biologist: How healthy is our habitat? In this program, students explore our Texas Native Wetlands on our outdoor island classroom. They will collect scientific data by examining live macroinvertebrates using cutting edge scientific tools. Students will then make connections between the living and nonliving parts of the ecosystem to determine the health of our waterway. The homeschool class is for grades K-6th (ages 5-12). It takes place on April 22 from 10:00 - 11:00 or 11:15 - 12:15.
As we walked through the garden, Nicholas found this ladybug pupa. It is kind of like a teen ladybug in that it is not quite fully developed. I wouldn't have known what it was without its spots!
We spent some time in the lab. There is currently a great exhibit about the scientist and naturalist Alexander von Humboldt.
He obviously understood the thoughts of homeschool moms around the world when he said this....
Besides the amazing nature items on display, there are also several digital stations with different activities like this Case of the Mysterious Egg in which a strange egg appeared in the nest of an Eastern Phoebe.
She had to review the evidence which included learning about the Eastern Phoebe as well as other types of birds and their egg size in order to determine the species of the mysterious egg.
We wandered about the Children's Garden for quite a while. We found the petrogylphs.
And we spend time learning about amazing numbers in nature and the Fibonacci spiral.
My kids always enjoy the Pendulum Art station. They pour sand into the pendulum bucket and then learn about the designs that it creates as it naturally swings back and forth.
Do you know what this cool looking contraption is?
It's a giant kaleidoscope! You can turn the different discs to change your view in thousands of ways.
I said it earlier but savor the days, mama. As they get to be teens, it might not be so easy to get them to pose for pictures with you!
This little sweetheart still loves to pose for me though!
The Dallas Arboretum is the perfect place to get some nice posed pictures of your children and family. Walk around and explore for just a few minutes and you are bound to find a great backdrop of nature for your pictures.
Rachel was actually just sitting here quietly enjoying the waterfall on her own when I snapped this candid picture. It's amazing how nature helps to calm children and get them more focused.
We had a wonderful time at our visit to the Dallas Arboretum. Take a look below at all of the wonderful events coming up over Easter weekend and throughout the spring.
New! Break the World Record for Largest Bunny Hop
Saturday, April 20 |Noon| Jonsson Color Garden
Join WFAA Good Morning Texas reporter and producer, Paige McCoy-Smith, and the Easter Bunny in the garden, and help them attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the largest bunny hop. All ages are welcome to participate, and the event is free with paid garden admission.
Easter Portraits
Saturday and Sunday, April 20-21 |10 a.m. - 4 p.m.| Jonsson Color Garden
Chris Ivey Photography will be in the garden to take family portraits with a live bunny. Portraits are available to purchase from the photographer.
Easter Brunch
Sunday, April 21| 10:30 a.m. & 12:30 p.m. | Restaurant DeGolyer and Rosine Hall
Get together with family and friends for a picturesque brunch. Enjoy an elaborate menu featuring multiple carving stations and extensive chef antipasto displays. Seating for brunch is at 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Reservations are required. To book your reservation, please call 214-515-6511
Artscape Fine Art and Craft Show
Saturday & Sunday, April 27-28, 9 a.m. -5 p.m., Pecan Grove
Artscape, a juried fine art and fine craft show and sale, is where 100 outstanding artists from around the country showcase their art. Artscape features a variety of mediums including painting, sculpture, 2-D and 3-D mixed media, photography, jewelry, glass, digital art, ceramics and more. The layout for the art fair is architect-designed for maximum visibility of artists and audience flow. Visit https://www.dallasarboretum.org/events-activities/artscape for more information.
Spring Cool Thursdays Concert Series
Every Thursday through June 27
7:30-9 p.m., Martin Rutchik Concert Stage and Lawn
The premier concert series "Cool Thursdays," sponsored by Wells Fargo, single tickets are available for purchase now at the Dallas Arboretum and feature four new exciting tribute bands. As Dallas' only concert series overlooking the picturesque White Rock Lake on the award-winning Martin Rutchik Concert Stage and Lawn, concert subscriptions and single tickets have a history of selling out quickly. To see concert lineup and purchase tickets, visit https://www.dallasarboretum.org/events-activities/cool-thursdays-concert-series/
Garden Tea
Daily, April 8-September 21
11 a.m. & 2 p.m.
Enjoy Garden Tea which includes a three-course meal with three different tea options. Teas are available Monday through Friday with seatings at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. for $49 per person, or an additional $10 to add champagne. Reservations are required. Contact 214-515-6511 or email teas@dallasarboretum.org to book a reservation.
A Tasteful Place: To learn more, register for cooking classes and special events, visit www.dallasarboretum.org/cookingclasses
Seasonal Tastings
Every day, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Ruthie Pack's Tasting Plaza
Try three free different samples featuring a weekly vegetable, fruit or herb from the garden. Visit www.dallasarboretum.org/recipes for past, current and future recipes.
DEMONSTRATION COOKING: El Centro College Cooks
Every Monday, 11 a.m.-Noon
Donald and Charlotte Test Pavilion
Participate in this popular demonstration cooking class, taught by Chef Alison Matis from the college's nationally recognized culinary school.
April-Honey Roasted Radishes and Creamy Dilled Green Bean Salad
DEMONSTRATION COOKING:
Presented by: Chef Carol Pock
Saturday, April 20, 11 a.m.-Noon
Donald and Charlotte Test Pavilion
Free with paid garden admission
Join Chef Carol Pock, a Certified Integrated Health Coach, Healthy Living cooking instructor, and Wellness Consultant, demonstrate how to make three different types of deviled egg recipe
Flower Power
A Meditative Walk in the Garden
April 26 * Level 1 * 10:30am-Noon
May 17 * Level 2 * 10:30am-Noon
$45
In the last 30 years, the immediacy of the technology coupled with the "I must have this" causes havoc on the body, brain and spirit. Bodies can go into in crisis mode with digestive disorders, anxiety and panic attacks. In this two-part series, Patricia Dedman Nail, owner of 6-D Design and clinical psychotherapist, teaches a processes that can be used to combat stress. Class is held in A Tasteful Place, followed by a healing meditative walk in the garden. For more information, please visit https://www.dallasarboretum.org/event/flower-power-spring-april-2019-2/ or call 214-515-6615.
INTERACTIVE COOKING:
Lorie Fangio- 4-Course Spring Market Menu
April 27, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Donald and Charlotte Test Pavilion
$70
Join Lorie Fangio, teaching chef, and owner of A Taste of Paris™, for a spring French market class. Lorie teaches a four-course meal as she shares stories of the French table. This four-course meal starts with decadent Baked Goat Cheese with Tomato Confit. Our second course will be a beautiful Pear and Endive Salad with a French vinaigrette, and learn to make the perfect risotto; French style. To register, visit https://www.dallasarboretum.org/event/lorie-fangio-french-pastries-2-17-19/
Rory Meyers Children's Adventure Garden Activities:
EGG-stravaganza
Natural Egg Dying, Easter Weekend, April 19-21
Exploration Center-Plant Lab, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Get excited for two weekends full of egg-citing, egg-themed programs. Stop by the Plant Lab for special egg-squisite egg dying using plant-based dyes. This year, an eggs-tra egg-citing weekend is included, and the plant lab offers egg-speriments every hour on the hour. Be sure to reserve a lab seat online. Appropriate for ages 5 and older.
Creativity Corner: Easter Edition Sponsored by Neiman Marcus
Friday-Sunday, April 19-21
10 a.m.-2 p.m., Entry Plaza
Kick off the day by creating a homemade Easter craft to take home.
