Blossoming Beauty: New Orleans’ Sculpture Garden Expands
This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast:
May 15, 2019
On this day, dear garden enthusiasts, a most splendid unveiling is set to occur at the New Orleans Museum of Art.
The institution's beloved Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden, a veritable jewel in the crown of artistic landscapes, is to reveal its grand expansion.
One can scarcely contain one's excitement at the prospect!
This hallowed ground, already a recipient of accolades from both the American Society of Landscape Architects and the American Institute of Architects, is poised to bloom anew. The existing garden, a sanctuary of aesthetic delight, houses a collection of primarily 19th and 20th-century sculptures from across the globe, valued at a staggering sum exceeding $25 Million.
One can only imagine the whispers of admiration these masterpieces have inspired over the years.
But what, pray tell, does this expansion entail?
Allow me to paint a picture for you, my fellow horticultural enthusiasts.
Envision, if you will, an additional 6.5 acres of meticulously curated space, ready to captivate your senses and nurture your soul.
Picture, if you dare, 26 new pieces of art, each carefully selected to complement the existing collection.
These newcomers shall find themselves in the company of 65 freshly planted trees, their branches reaching skyward in a natural cathedral of green. No less than 475 shrubs shall adorn the grounds, providing texture and depth to this living canvas.
But wait! There's more to feast your eyes upon.
Imagine 1.7 acres of lush groundcovers, spreading like a verdant carpet beneath your feet.
For those who prefer a more manicured aesthetic, 1.13 acres of open lawn await, perfect for picnics or quiet contemplation. And for the aquatic-minded among us, a staggering 9.35 acres of aquatic planting promises to delight with its watery wonders.
As if this weren't enough to set a gardener's heart aflutter, the expansion also includes the creation of an indoor sculpture pavilion.
Here, one might seek refuge from the elements while still basking in the glow of artistic genius. And for those balmy New Orleans evenings, an outdoor amphitheater with beautiful, grass-stepped seating beckons.
One can almost hear the strains of music floating on the breeze, mingling with the rustle of leaves and the gentle splash of water features.
Indeed, this expansion sounds nothing short of paradise!
It is a testament to the enduring power of art and nature, harmoniously intertwined.
As we celebrate this momentous occasion, let us remember that gardens, like the masterpieces they house, are ever-evolving, ever-growing.
They remind us that beauty, both cultivated and wild, has the power to elevate the human spirit.
"The garden suggests there might be a place where we can meet nature halfway." - Michael Pollan
So, my dear readers, I implore you to visit this horticultural haven at your earliest convenience.
Breathe in the perfumed air, let your eyes dance from sculpture to shrub, and allow yourself to be transported.
For in such a place, the worries of the world fade away, replaced by the simple, profound joy of existing in a space where art and nature embrace.
