FLOURISH
CELEBRATING OUR GARDEN AND ITS BEAUTY
JUNE 12 – OCTOBER 29, 2024
2024 marks the Garden’s 40th Anniversary and to celebrate our horticulturists have created new, dazzling displays throughout the Garden. This year’s summer plantings will become lush as the season progresses through fall, with surprises and vignettes to discover in four iconic areas.
Women’s Work: The Lee Park Collection
Women’s Work: The Lee Park Collection tells the story of the Memorial Park Wildflower and Bird Sanctuary project in Petersburg, Virginia, which was funded by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and took place between 1935 and 1940. The project’s aim was to preserve the native flora, particularly wildflowers, as well as document the park’s creation. Presented for the first time, this exhibit includes a selection from the Lee Park Collection, which includes 325 preserved herbarium specimens and 238 botanical watercolor illustrations.
But preservation is not the whole story of Lee Park’s creation. The project was exceptional for its time as it was conceived and planned by women, as well as predominantly created through the labor of women, the vast majority of them Black. Very few of these women’s names are known. This exhibition is a tribute to the nameless and voiceless laborers and the beautiful sanctuary that would not have been possible without the work of these extraordinary women.
Women’s Work includes also includes a virtual exhibit platform where more illustrations and specimens from the collection can be viewed.
- Women’s Work: The Lee Park Collection is currently on display in the Lora M. Robins Library thru September 3, 2024.
- The Library hours are Tuesday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Access to this exhibit is included with regular Garden admission, and is free for members.
ARTIST IN RESIDENCE
KYLE EPPS
APRIL – SEPTEMBER 2024
As part of its Flourish 40th anniversary celebration, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden has commissioned contemporary American multi-disciplinary artist Kyle Epps as an artist-in-residence from April to September 2024. Epps’ work will explore the garden’s landscape and history through various media. As part of the residency, guests can meet and sit with Epps to experience the process of exploring the Garden through the artist’s lens.
Kyle Epps brings exciting new visions and perspectives in the Garden’s 40th anniversary year. Guests can look for the artist when visiting and during select special events. Music and live sound designing will accompany the visual art. Plans also include live streaming during the creative process. The artist-in-residency offers the rare opportunity to see the Garden through fresh eyes. Epps’ vision includes several phases: Plant, Grow, Flourish.
Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights
Member Preview Weekend Nov. 15 – 17; November 18, 2024 – January 5, 2025
Become a Garden Member to enjoy a special members-only preview weekend and other member benefits like FREE admission on member nights.
Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights is a holiday tradition featuring lights, decorations, model trains, holiday dinners, hot chocolate (for purchase); & more. The region’s ultimate holiday extravaganza!