Calendar

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Jun
9
Fri
Cultivate: The Five Senses @ Descanso Gardens
Jun 9 @ 4:30 pm – 7:00 pm

Come see what happens in the garden during extended hours. Take a tour, dance to music amongst the flowers, learn about nature, enjoy food and drink. Grab some friends and enjoy the gardens in a new way.

Included in the price of admission or Descanso Gardens membership, no reservations required.


Cultivate: The Five Senses

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Flower installation by florist Whit Hazen

  • Watch before your eyes as a flower installation is built throughout the evening, using fragrant plants and flowers gathered from the garden to create a full sensory experience
  • Time: 4:30–7pm
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Soundbaths by Marna Currie 

  • Enjoy sound baths under the oaks on the Main Lawn
  • Times: 5–5:30pm and 6–6:30pm
  • Location: Main Lawn
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Flashdance DJ

  • Have a drink in the Rose Garden bar and enjoy a mix of classic and contemporary songs by our popular guest DJs
  • Time: 4:30–7pm
  • Location: Rose Garden
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Activity: Make your own herbal tea bag to take home

  • Time: 4:30–7pm

 

 

 

 

Jun
17
Sat
Community Service Day @ Descanso Gardens
Jun 17 @ 8:00 am – 10:00 am

Get hands-on gardening experience by mulching in the garden and help care for Descanso at this volunteer opportunity. Instruction will be provided.

  • All experience levels are welcome.

  • Ages 16 or older.

  • Must be able to lift, bend and stand for long periods of time. Moderate to heavy lifting involved.

  • Bring gardening gloves and water.

  • Remember to wear comfortable clothing and closed toed shoes.

  • Limited space available, RSVP required

RSVP to volunteer@descansogardens.org by Saturday, June 10, 2023. You will be sent additional instructions and will need to sign a waiver form in order to participate.

Curator Tour of 0 Horizon: Art of the Forest Floor @ Descanso Gardens
Jun 17 @ 11:00 am

Join us for a curator-led tour of the new gallery exhibit 0 Horizon: Art of the Forest Floor. Meets at the Sturt Haaga Gallery on June 17 at 11am and 2pm. 

No registration required, free with admission.


About 0 Horizon: Art of the Forest Floor

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0 Horizon: Art of the Forest Floor examines a wealth of subject matter that exists in the parasitological ecosystem of the forest floor. The coexistence of the parasite and the host helps to complete life cycles in some species and the coevolution of both. The exhibition will be installed to create an immersive environment containing works of all media that serves as a metaphor for the mutualism needed to contribute to the earth’s sustainability.

The works in the exhibition will depict nature’s underworld; a wondrous display of decay, slime, parasites, worms, beetles, mushrooms, roots, and the detritus of animals and humans.

0 Horizon: Art of the Forest Floor is open at the Sturt Haaga Gallery from June 17 through August 27, 10am–4pm daily. Entry to the Sturt Haaga Gallery is included with admission to Descanso Gardens, no reservations required.

0 Horizon: Art of the Forest Floor is funded in part by Heather and Paul Haaga.


Top image:
Kristin Leachman
Whitebark 1 / (Whitebark Pine, Glacier National Park, MT.)
72x54x2 inches, oil on canvas on panel, 2023
Curator Tour of 0 Horizon: Art of the Forest Floor @ Descanso Gardens
Jun 17 @ 2:00 pm

Join us for a curator-led tour of the new gallery exhibit 0 Horizon: Art of the Forest Floor. Meets at the Sturt Haaga Gallery on June 17 at 11am and 2pm. 

No registration required, free with admission.


About 0 Horizon: Art of the Forest Floor

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0 Horizon: Art of the Forest Floor examines a wealth of subject matter that exists in the parasitological ecosystem of the forest floor. The coexistence of the parasite and the host helps to complete life cycles in some species and the coevolution of both. The exhibition will be installed to create an immersive environment containing works of all media that serves as a metaphor for the mutualism needed to contribute to the earth’s sustainability.

The works in the exhibition will depict nature’s underworld; a wondrous display of decay, slime, parasites, worms, beetles, mushrooms, roots, and the detritus of animals and humans.

0 Horizon: Art of the Forest Floor is open at the Sturt Haaga Gallery from June 17 through August 27, 10am–4pm daily. Entry to the Sturt Haaga Gallery is included with admission to Descanso Gardens, no reservations required.

0 Horizon: Art of the Forest Floor is funded in part by Heather and Paul Haaga.


Top image:
Kristin Leachman
Whitebark 1 / (Whitebark Pine, Glacier National Park, MT.)
72x54x2 inches, oil on canvas on panel, 2023

 

Jun
23
Fri
Little Explorers @ Descanso Gardens
Jun 23 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Come explore, play and create with us under the oaks on the Main Lawn. Families with young children (age 2–5 years old) will enjoy doing arts and crafts and nature exploration together each month.

No registration required, free with admission or membership.

Jun
24
Sat
Little Explorers @ Descanso Gardens
Jun 24 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Come explore, play and create with us under the oaks on the Main Lawn. Families with young children (age 2–5 years old) will enjoy doing arts and crafts and nature exploration together each month.

No registration required, free with admission or membership.

Jun
27
Tue
Little Owls @ Descanso Gardens
Jun 27 @ 11:00 am – 11:30 am

Join us for songs, puppets and of course books! Great for children ages 2–7 with a caregiver. Meets at Nature’s Table near the Promenade.

No registration required, free with admission.

Jul
1
Sat
tonalism
Jul 1 @ 8:00 pm – Jul 2 @ 1:00 am

tonalism is a late night, ambient music happening inspired by La Monte Young’s Dream House as well as the work of musicians and composers such as Terry Riley, John Cage, and Yoko Ono.

Join us on Saturday, July 1 from 8pm–1am for live DJ sets, visual elements, and the opportunity to be in the garden as night falls.

Visitors are encouraged to bring pillows, cushions, and sleeping bags to lay down, listen and watch for an extended period of time.

$30 members/$35 non-members. Advance tickets required, click here to purchase tickets.

 

Jul
6
Thu
Quick Location Sketching @ Descanso Gardens
Jul 6 @ 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm
Registration opens June 15 at 10am

Join artist Virginia Hein for a sketch walk through the gardens on Thursday, July 6 from 5–6:30pm. This class is designed as an introduction to quick location sketching and each participant is given a small panorama sketchbook and waterproof pen (included in class price). Bring a spirit of curiosity, play and experimentation.

$40 for members/$45 for non-members, materials are included. Advance registration required. registration opens June 15 at 10am.

Image: © Virginia Hein

Jul
14
Fri
Cultivate: Wildlife Corridors @ Descanso Gardens
Jul 14 @ 4:30 pm – 7:00 pm

Come see what happens in the garden during extended hours. Take a tour, dance to music amongst the flowers, learn about nature, enjoy food and drink. Grab some friends and enjoy the gardens in a new way.

Included in the price of admission or Descanso Gardens membership, no reservations required. Please note that chairs, blankets, outside food, and picnics are not permitted.


Cultivate: Wildlife Corridors

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Arroyos & Foothills Conservancy

  • Guided Tours of Living in a Wildlife Corridor
  • Location: Boddy House
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Cougar Conservancy: Living with Wildlife

  • Presentation on the Main Lawn
  • Time: 5:30–6:30pm
  • Location: Main Lawn
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Leslie Gray Art Walk and Talk

  • Take a walk with artist Leslie Gray to learn more about her “Wild Sighting” installation in the garden
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Flashdance DJs

  • Have a drink in the Rose Garden bar and enjoy a mix of classic and contemporary songs by our popular guest DJs
  • Time: 4:30–7pm
  • Location: Rose Garden
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Activity: Make-your-own Animal Track

  • Create a paw-some animal track with air dry clay
  • Time: 4:30–7pm

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Image: Mother of Lions © Robert Martinez, courtesy of Arroyos & Foothills Conservancy