Entry gate to the Matthaei Botanical Gardens Display Garden. Designed by David Torgoff
Visual and performing arts are important creative activities that help visitors perceive, question, and understand an artist's message. As a unit of a major university, the Gardens is a place where student and faculty artists may present their voice and work for public comment - some of the works are specially commissioned for precise locations. The Gardens profoundly supports this artistic creativity. All works on display have been vetted through faculty review, a select few are on permanent display.
The Ann Arbor Garden Club commissioned these entry gates to the Display Gardens at the Gardens in honor of their 75th anniversary. They were created by David Torgoff, an East Lansing artist, and were installed in the fall of 2005. It was the garden club's way of saying thanks to the Gardens where they have met for many of those 75 years.
- Ann Arbor Art Center's Tree Town banners
The Ann Arbor Art Center’s Off the Wall Gallery exhibit, Tree Town, comes to the Gardens through April 30. Local articst created banners inspired by arboreal subjects to celebrate Ann Arbor’s nickname. This exhibit will be on display through April at the Matthaei Botanical Gardens.
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These bluestone fountains were installed as a memorial to past Gardens Director Erich Steiner (1971-77 and 1989-91). They were designed by John Stevens of K. C. Runciman Landscapes, Saline, MI.
- Jane LaRue Memorial Sundial
This sundial is a memorial to collections botanist Jane LaRue (1971-early 1980s). It was a commission done by Professor Jon Rush of the U-M School of Art. He studied bronze working at foundries in Italy and taught at Columbus College of Art before coming to the University. At the time of the sundial's installation on October 5, 1986 in the old Medicinal Garden, one of his sculptures was on display in Briarwood's concourse near Lord & Taylor. The sundial was moved to its current location when the display gardens area's redesign began in the 1990s.
This ancient stone memorial monument is one of the finest of its types in North America. The dramatic Arabic calligraphy is embedded in carved foliage, making it intentionally difficult even for scholars to read.
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Jessica Fogel is an instructor in dance at U-M. She is a founding member and co-director of Ann Arbor Dance Works, the university's resident professional dance company. They have presented many works specially choreographed for both the Arb and Gardens. On February 8, 2007 they will debut a new performance, "In the Garden," in honor of our centennial.
This juried art show showcased the work of more than 75 artists in a variety of media in 2006. It was exciting to see the many ways the artists interpreted plants and animals. This popular event will return in the fall of 2007. It is produced in partnership with Integrity Shows.
