Gardens & Works by Ebony G. Patterson …things come to thrive…in the shedding…in the molting…begins May 27 at New York Botanical Garden #EbonyGPatterson #EbonyGPattersonNYBG

Happy Memorial Day Weekend Butterflies!

For my New York City Butterflies, here is a memorial day weekend recommendation for you!

Visual Artist Ebony G. Patterson, Courtesy of the artist and Monique Meloche Gallery, Chicago; Photo: Frank Isman

Contemporary Visual Artist and winner of the 2023 David C. Driskell Prize, Ebony G. Patterson's latest exhibition "things come to thrive…in the shedding…in the molting…" is set to open to the public starting May 27 and run through September 17th, 2023. 

New York Botanical is showcasing creative women of color twice in a row, first with this year's Orchid Show with designer Lily Kwong and now with this exhibition by Ebony G. Patterson - and I am entirely here for it!

Ms. Patterson is the first visual artist ever to embed within the institution for an immersive residency. She worked directly with NYBG's gardens and collections to form a new body of work that brings her unique perspective on formal gardens to life within the 250-acre National Historic Landmark Landscape.

Visual Artist Ebony G. Patterson, Courtesy of the artist and Monique Meloche Gallery, Chicago; Photo: Frank Isman

Gardens tend to be celebrated when they are in full bloom, when they are fragrant and colorful. They don't get the same love when they are dormant or worse still decaying. But they are nonetheless an important part of the process and life, and this is what is explored in this new exhibition.

The exhibition reflects a deep engagement with the concept of gardens as human-made interventions in nature while shedding new light on the Botanical Garden. It aims to provide new pathways for engagement with the garden and the natural world. It explores that the processes of molting, shedding and decaying are actually revelatory processes that give way to healing, regeneration and ultimately beauty. Are gardens really burial grounds for history?

Outside of the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory there are hundreds of vulture sculptures each doing something different but many are focused on flowers, flowers that include zinnias, sunflowers, and cosmos rendered in blood-red hues, with ruptures that are being tended to by the vultures.Vultures remove dead and decaying animals from the environment. Patterson reveals that while they don't have the most glamorous job in nature, their work is nonetheless important. She refers to their essential ecosystem service as an "act of care".

 

In addition to the glitter encrusted vultures, there is also a monumental peacock sculpture! Patterson's work explores the entanglements of race, gender and colonialism while inviting visitors to contemplate their own relationships with gardens and the natural world.

Pricing:  

Adults: $35

Students (with Valid ID) and Seniors (65+): $31

Children (2-12 years of age): $15

Children under 2: FREE

Patrons/Members: FREE

Wednesdays all day grounds access pass is FREE to NYC residents! Remember that Grounds Admission does not include admission to the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, Special Exhibitions or Tram Tour. Visit nybg.org for more information on event calendar and ticket pricing.

MY TAKE: 

As a butterfly lover I have always marveled at Nature's ability to transform itself. A butterfly starts out as a caterpillar. Not the prettiest creature, but it transforms itself into a thing of delicate and graceful beauty. As you explore, make it a mindful meditation on ways you can shed what no longer serves you to emerge into a more beautiful version of yourself. (inner beauty and grace, not just outer!)

Readers Sound Off: What are your weekend plans?

Also, are you NYC central or will be this summer? If you would like me to host a giveaway for tickets to this exhibition, let us know in the comments and I will try my best to make it happen!

 Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙

FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored/compensated post. All opinions are 100% my own! I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure. 

If you like this article treat me to a coffee, a caffeinated writer is a happy writer! 

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Check out Giant Pumpkin Weekend THIS WEEKEND at @NYBG #NYBG #NewYorkBotanicalGarden

Wishing all my butterflies the richness and comforts of Fall and a bountiful harvest at your table!

To all my New York City Butterflies and those of you who might be in town this weekend, I have a fun way to enjoy the colors of Fall and enjoy some awesome photo opps that are definitely Instagram worthy, it's Giant Pumpkin Weekend at NYC landmark New York Botanical Gardens THIS WEEKEND ONLY! It's also your last chance to catch the Dale Chihully Exhibit that I have been featuring on these pages all summer! (We gave away a pair of tickets to Chihully Nights at the Garden HERE - remember that giveaway is now CLOSED, and I featured the exhibit again when I realized after perusing my photo collection from the Media Day that my outfit actually matched one of the installations in the exhibit HERE) Here are some great shots from the last wine tasting I attended at NYBG, HERE.

I normally try to arrange a giveaway, but there was no time this time around so I will try to work on something for the Train Show.

What you will see:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Record-Breaking Pumpkins, Squashes and Gourds - arranged in collaboration with the Great Pumpkin Commonwealth, the recognized standard of weights, measurement, and fairness of competitive growing. This year’s North American record breaker, weighing 2,363 pounds, was grown by Joel Holland from Washington state. Also on display will be the world’s largest squash at 2,118 pounds from Rhode Island; the largest European pumpkin, from England, at 2,269 pounds; and the longest gourd in the United States, from Wisconsin, at 143.75 inches.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Meet the Growers - You can ask questions and get tips directly from these talented growers!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Giant Pumpkin Seed Harvest - Members of the Great Pumpkin Commonwealth will be opening these monstrous gourds and actually climbing inside to harvest their impressive seeds.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Whole Foods Market Trick-or-Treat Trail - Wear your favorite costume, decorate a bag to collect wholesome goodies while you enjoy this weekend of hands-on activities and special events.

 Above: Everett Children's Adventure Garden, New York Botanical Gardens

The sign reads:

"Speckled Swan Bottle Gourd" (Lagenaria Siceria)

Look at the silhouette of this uniquely shaped gourd to see features reminiscent of a swan's neck

Above: Isn't this the CUTEST Ghost Bush Ever?

Above: He's a unique sort of 'pineapple-o-lantern' isn't he?

Above: That is quite a LARGE pumpkin!

Above: I have no idea why my blog template makes this shot so small, please press on it to see it a big bigger and capture more detail on the rock.

Enjoy butterflies you all know just how camera shy I am!

Above: More jack-o-lantern spooky cuteness!

Above: I love how that ray of sunlight on the left just breaks through the greenery and looks like it's pointing at the pumpkin patch!

Not just one, but TWO shots of me in one post, SHOCKING!

WINNER ALERT: Our lucky winner for the 24 count of assorted truffles from Elements Truffles is Julie Waldron, entry #621! Congrats Julie! Don't forget to reply to your winner's email with your address for prize fulfillment! She won from an extra credit entry, I always encourage entrants to do more than just the main entry, see it really pays off! (Just a warning we validate entries, so if the randomizer picks someone for example for following on twitter or Instagram, we are going to make the sure the person actually did it before we validate them as a prize winner - you can't cheat the system). Enjoy your truffles Julie!

What are YOUR Halloween Plans? If you do visit New York Botanical Garden for Giant Pumpkin Weekend this Weekend, please tag us so we can see your photos! @Ascending1 for both twitter and Instagram!

˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙

FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored or compensated post. All opinions are 100% my own! I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure.