Orchid Daze 2022

Orchid Daze 2022 is in full bloom! Whether you've seen this gorgeous exhibition every year for the last decade or it's your first time, you will experience it with a dreamy sense of awe. Make your way to the Atlanta Botanical Garden by Sunday, April 10 to see this magical exhibition.

Orchid Daze 2022 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

This year's exhibition includes works of art by Kristine Mays, a San Francisco-based artist. The exhibition, most recently displayed at Hillwood Estate in Washington, D.C., is titled "Rich Soil".

Orchid Daze 2022 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

Mays creates life-sized, three-dimensional figures from fine metal strands intricately woven together that often evoke a spirit of flowing movement or dance. Much of the inspiration for her work is a series of photos capturing the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's performance of “Revelations.”

Orchid Daze 2022 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

Now going on for more than a decade, Orchid Daze is a beautiful way to experience the Garden during the winter months. When I went the other day, it wasn't crowded, but there was a lot going on. There were visitors, from all over the world, and what looks like renovation of certain parts of the Garden. There is always something going on here!

Orchid Daze 2022 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

For the exhibition, Orchid Daze orchids are on display in the Conservatory Lobby and the Orchid Center. Both the Conservatory and the Orchid Center have multiple display rooms so be sure to explore them all. If it's your first time to the Garden be sure to pick up a map on your way in through the Visitor Center.

Orchid Daze 2022 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

The exhibition sculptures are displayed in the Reflecting Pond in front of the Conservatory, in the Conservatory lobby, inside the Fuqua Conservatory, and the Fuqua Orchid Center. There's also a wall display with information boards about the artist in the hallway leading to the Conservation and Training Center and the Outdoor Kitchen.

Mays' said, “My sculptures . . . create a form that reveals an invisible occupant, a soul, a life. I often say that I am ‘breathing life into wire.’ I love the idea of creating work where the focus reveals the essence of a person and that speaks to humanity as a whole.”

Orchid Daze 2022 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

If you're on the fence about what date to see Orchid Daze, consider going on Sunday, March 6 for "Vanilla Sunday". Did you know that vanilla is an orchid? 

Orchid Daze 2022 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

Orchid Daze overlaps another spectacular exhibition, "Atlanta Blooms!". It officially starts March 1 and there's lots to see and there will be much more in the exhibition throughout its run which goes on through the end of April. I love having a membership here so that I can go any time of year I want, which fairly often is impromptu. 

Orchid Daze 2022 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

Some of the sculptures rise from carpets of golden Dancing Lady orchids as delicate moth orchids hover in the background and long strands of exuberant Vanda orchids encircle them.

Orchid Daze 2022 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

Also happening concurrently with Orchid Daze is the Atlanta Bonsai Society's "Spring Bonsai Show", running the weekend of March 19-20. If you've never seen this show you're in for a real treat! 

Orchid Daze 2022 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

Did you know that the Atlanta Botanical Garden is home to one of the largest orchid collections displayed at a public garden...in the world? And Orchid Daze is a wonderful way to experience the Garden in winter! Go, enjoy.

Stillness And Growth...at the Garden

For the last more than a decade, the Atlanta Botanical Garden has been nothing but growth, and I'm not just talking about the plants. But that's not what I wanted to share right now. Tonight, I'm feeling a little nostalgic.

"Stillness And Growth", Atlanta Botanical Garden

"Stillness and Growth" is a Georgia White Marble sculpture that used to adorn the main entrance to the Atlanta Botanical Garden. The sculpture is still in the same place...but the entrance moved a few years back. Fortunately, there are a couple of places from within the Garden where you can still enjoy this remarkable work of art.

The eight-foot sculpture was carved onsite by Paul Popple of Florence, Italy, and donated to the Garden by sisters Mary Goddard Pickens and Elkin Goddard Alston in memory of their grandmother, Mary Ruse Nicolson and their mother, Mary Nicolson Goddard.

Want to catch a glimpse of this beauty? You can see it from the Perennial Garden, as well as from mid-point crossing Flower Bridge leading to the two-acre Children's Garden.

I always loved this piece and it's been a part of the Garden since 1986, the year before I started visiting. I hope it'll always be part of the Atlanta Botanical Garden...and who knows, maybe it'll eventually find a new home in a more visible place in the Garden one day. No, no, I've not heard anything...just wishful thinking.

Orange Curry

Green Curry is one of my favorite Asian dishes, but I'm rather liking these orange, yellow, and red Curry's.

Some art is subtle and some you can't miss a mile away. That doesn't mean it's not intriguing, or beautiful even. Such is the case with the trio of Aaron Curry's sculptures now displayed on the lawn of the High Museum of Art.

Aaron Curry sculpture, High Museum of Art

The exhibited Aaron Curry pieces will be on display at the High through June 16, 2013, which will have been nearly a full year.

Aaron Curry sculpture, High Museum of Art

The High says of Texas-born Curry that he is "noted for the improbably combinations of art historical references in his sculpture, including the distorted planes of Cubism, the bright colors and flat surfaces of Pop, and the sometimes disconcerting biomorphism of Surrealism."

Aaron Curry sculpture, High Museum of Art

Aptly described, I'm sure there are quite a few camera-wielding tourists who think they're just plain fun...much as I did.