Events
March 2019
Exhibit: Ancient Mysteries within the Gingers
Bananas, gingers, and their relatives descend from an ancient lineage. Today these plants live in the tropics and subtropics, but fossils tell us they once grew as far north as Alaska and Greenland. To understand the nearly 90-million-year history of bananas and gingers, faculty from University of Michigan and Cornell University looked to fossils to untangle the relationships of these extinct plants with their living relatives and what that means for evolution and geographic distribution. Because fossils don’t have DNA,…
Find out more »September 2019
Nature a Moment: Visions of the World from Three Korean-American Artists
Three Chicago-area Korean-American artists render deeply personal interpretations of the natural world in the exhibit "Nature a Moment" at Matthaei Botanical Gardens. Using woodcut, painting on canvas, and mixed media, Linda Hyong, Sung Eun Hong, and Seong Ok Lee explore the world of flowers, gardens, and nature in vivid works that slow time to a fleeting present moment. Linda Hyong is a University of Michigan alumna and former teaching assistant in the U-M Stamps School of Art & Design. She…
Find out more »November 2019
Holiday Exhibit – Small: A Big Look at Little
Our holiday exhibit features small things that make a big difference. From bonsai to terrariums to viewing stones, tiny plants and natural objects recreate the natural world in miniature and conjure new ways of looking at nature. We've created narrative terrariums with little scenes inside suggesting a complete world in miniature. Also on display are bonsai trees and viewing stones---naturally occurring rocks or stones that often look like objects or landscapes. The fairies return too, in all their tiny glory.…
Find out more »January 2020
Uncommon Plants from Our Unique Places: Images of the Great Lakes Gardens
With its plants and habitats, the Great Lakes Gardens at the University of Michigan Matthaei Botanical Gardens celebrate the natural history of the region. As part of the winter 2020 LSA theme semester, the exhibition "Uncommon Plants" offers a rare glimpse of the diverse plant life and ecosystems of the Great Lakes through the lens of photographer Laura Mueller. Mueller's photos capture a side of the region beyond water to show how plants play an integral role in the complex…
Find out more »March 2020
CANCELLED: Ann Arbor Orchid Festival
PLEASE NOTE: This program has been canceled. Featuring displays showcasing beautiful orchids; free talks and demonstrations on orchid growing; orchid raffle; orchids and orchid-related items for sale from our vendors. Please note the different starting times of the orchid sale and show: Orchid sales: 10 am-4:30 pm Sat. & Sun. Orchid show: noon-4:30 pm Sat. Photographer’s hour 9-10 am Sun. 2 pm Sat. and Sun.: Talk: “Orchids 101" 3 pm Sat., “Orchid pests and diseases” 3 pm Sun.: “How…
Find out more »May 2020
CANCELED: The Soul of a Moment
NOTE: This event has been canceled.An exhibit of Michigan artist Linda J. Beeman's stunning nature-inspired mikuhanga prints. Mokuhanga is a Japanese watercolor-based woodblock technique. Free. "I am an environmental artist working exclusively in the ancient water-based Japanese art of mokuhanga – woodblock print. The process of mokuhanga is an ancient art that is in danger of being lost due to technology and economic influences. Wood, watercolor, rice paste, paper – these are the ingredients of my art. Mokuhanga has allowed…
Find out more »June 2020
Bonsai in Bloom: Satsuki Azalea from the Collection of Melvyn Goldstein
View a spectacular display of blooming Satsuki azaleas from the collection of Dr. Melvyn Goldstein. The azaleas will be on display in the bonsai and penjing garden at the University of Michigan Matthaei Botanical Gardens.Satsuki are a cultivar of azalea native to Japan. They often display more than one color of flower on the same plant. Satsuki are also popular plants used for bonsai. The opening weekend of the display features Satsuki workshops and demonstrations in the outdoor bonsai and penjing…
Find out more »June 2021
Outdoor Exhibit at Matthaei Botanical Gardens: A Garden of Earthy Delights
We've teamed up with the Ann Arbor Potters Guild to present a series of monumental, multi-piece sculptures inspired by nature and in celebration of the Guild's 70th anniversary. The exhibit, "A Garden of Earthy Delights," is located in the Great Lakes Gardens at Matthaei. With our reservation-scheduling system we are reopening the botanical gardens to the public today, July 1. Click here to schedule your visit.The finished sculpture "Pollinators" in the grassland alvar section of the Great Lakes Gardens at…
Find out more »September 2021
Artists Reception: A Garden of Earthy Delights
Meet the Ann Arbor Potters Guild artists who contributed to the exhibition "A Garden of Earthy Delights" and participate in small group tours of the Great Lakes Garden at Matthaei led by representatives of Matthaei Botanical Gardens. Closing remarks will be given at 2:15 and 3:15 by Tom Phardel, who mentored members of the Guild in the creation of the sculptures and Jeri Hollister who envisioned and guided the project. Join the reception outdoors in the Gateway Garden, near the…
Find out more »May 2022
“Time in the Garden” Art Exhibit” Community Art Exhibit
Artworks in a variety of media depicting the relationships between nature, time, and change. 30 artists from across the community. Free admission. Exhibit runs from Saturday May 21 to Sunday June 26 during visitor center hours at Matthaei Botanical Gardens, 1800 N Dixboro Rd, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
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