At the Garden with MJ & The Guys

Last weekend I went with one of my dearest friends and her boys to the Atlanta Botanical Garden to see Scarecrows in the Garden and Imaginary Worlds: Plants Larger Than Life...we had a fantastic time! 

See all of our photos in a video at the end of this post.

Atlanta Botanical Garden, Moon Gate

Mary Jo had not been to the Garden in a number of years, Zach had been once but didn't remember a lot, and it was Kam's first time...we were all in for a treat with TWO exhibitions going on!

Unicorn, Imaginary Worlds, Atlanta Botanical Garden

The Garden is filled with scarecrows, which you start seeing (and making photos with) immediately upon entering. Same with the Imaginary Worlds living sculptures--there are 19 of them throughout the Garden, whereas the 131 scarecrows are scattered throughout the Southern Seasons Garden and the two-acre Children's Garden.

Scarecrows in the Garden, Atlanta Botanical Garden

I do believe this is a record year for Scarecrows in the Garden, and I heard a number of visitors say it was "the best year ever." It was fun having the boys along because they "got" the scarecrows that were based on cartoons and gaming icons.

Zach, pictured above with Mary Jo, had a birthday a few days after our excursion. "Happy birthday, Zach!"

Mary Jo and Kam, Atlanta Botanical Garden

Mary Jo and I have been dearest friends since 1987, having met when we both worked for Equifax. That seems like several lifetimes ago! So, I've known the boys since they were born. But I lived in Washington, D.C. during most of their formative years, but I got to watch them grow up via Facebook.

Kam was being a little camera-shay at first, but got over that before we got too far into the Garden...got some great photos of him and I love the one above of him and MJ.

Zach, Cobras, Imaginary Worlds, Atlanta Botanical Garden

I'm not a father and my nieces and nephews live in another state--and they all have kids of their own now!--so it's a real treat to get to hang out with these guys. After the Garden we went to Grindhouse Burgers for lunch and then we went to Midtown Bowl for a couple of games. It was a full afternoon!

Frog, Kam, Atlanta Botanical Garden

The guys really liked the statue frogs and LOVED the frogs in the Fuqua Conservatory. We'd originally planned on visiting the day before, Saturday, but I had to work longer than expected, but it work out because the weather was so much better when we did go. 

We'll have to go back so they can see the Saturday, 11:00 a.m. Frog Feeding...when ALL the frogs come out!

They enjoyed the other animals...the turtles, including the Dragon Snapping Turtle in the Conservatory, the salamanders, the quail, and of course all the real and mythical Imaginary Worlds and scarecrow animals and creatures.

MJ and Kam, Atlanta Botanical Garden

About half of the scarecrows are in the Children's Garden, so I was concerned that boys of their ages wouldn't want to go to the "Children's" Garden, but troopers they are! And we had a blast. Kam was climbing dinosaurs and Zach was taking it all in. 

Zach, MJ, Cobra, Atlanta Botanical Garden

Of course, I've seen both exhibitions multiple times, but this was a whole new experience. 

Yes, I'll occasionally have kids and teenagers along when I'm giving a tour in my role as a Garden docent--and I try to engage them as much as possible--but this was a new experience for me. Or at least one I've not had in many years...since my niece and nephew were in middle school! It was a totally AWESOME day! 

Travis, MJ, Kam, Zach, Atlanta Botanical Garden

I didn't want the day to end, but alas, all good things...

Zach, Kam, MJ, Atlanta Botanical Garden

Fortunately, the Atlanta Botanical Garden is never short on programming or new things to see. We talked about all returning this holiday season for Garden Lights, Holiday Nights, which starts in under a month!

See the rest of our photos here...

Scarecrows, Goblins, Ales...and a Unicorn!

Atlantans have enjoyed scarecrow invasions for more than a decade, and this year they're joined by a host of other creatures including a unicorn, mammoth butterflies, and gigantic dancing fish. 

Once again, the Atlanta Botanical Garden is giving our citizens a spectacular Scarecrows in the Garden exhibition, this year coupled with Imaginary Worlds: Plants Larger Than Life.

Scarecrows in the Garden, Atlanta Botanical Garden

And Scarecrows in the Garden comes with ample programming, including Thursday nights Fest-of-Ale. 

Scarecrows in the Garden, Atlanta Botanical Garden

The scarecrows are scattered throughout the Southern Seasons Garden, near the Visitor Center, and in the Children's Garden.

Scarecrows in the Garden, Atlanta Botanical Garden

Some of the scarecrows are clever, some are artistic, some are replicas of scouts, some are only a little bit scary—it's a family show, after all—and some will outright make you giggle like the little kid you'll revert to while enjoying the festivity of the 131 scarecrows!

Scarecrows in the Garden, Atlanta Botanical Garden

And there's definitely a LOT of color...the scarecrow creators—companies, organizations, clubs, and individuals—were quite generous with color!

Scarecrows in the Garden, Atlanta Botanical Garden

Did I mention that some of them are quite clever? The "Royal Hay-by" scarecrows are brilliant! You'll find them in the Children's Garden.

Scarecrows in the Garden, Atlanta Botanical Garden

Pony rides, train rides, and storytelling will be on the agenda at the Garden on Sunday, October 27, during Goblins in the Garden...fun, fun, fun!

Scarecrows in the Garden, Atlanta Botanical Garden

Visitors attending this year's Scarecrows in the Garden get the extra treat of seeing Imaginary Worlds: Plants Larger Than Life, which concludes at the end of the month.

And on October 24, the Great Chefs of Atlanta Pumpkin Carving Contest starts at 7:00 p.m....and the line-up is consistently impressive, as is the carving!

Scarecrows in the Garden, Atlanta Botanical Garden

During the month of October, for those who can't get away during the day and find themselves super busy on the weekends, Thursday nights Fest-of-Ale just might be the ticket you're looking for. 

Scarecrows in the Garden, Atlanta Botanical Garden

And this coming Thursday is the monthly Science Cafe. This month's program is Mapping Place: Enhancement and Modification Techniques being presented by Gregor Turk of SCAD Atlanta.

Scarecrows in the Garden, Atlanta Botanical Garden

When you arrive at the Garden, you'll be greeted by this beauty...whose incredible "hair" is telling of the fun you'll have inside enjoying Scarecrows in the Garden.

Imaginary Worlds Revisited

It's been a while since I've posted anything about the "Imaginary Worlds: Plants Larger Than Life" exhibition at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. It's not been for lack of anything to say...that they're all living plants, they change every week—sometimes every day! 

"Imaginary Worlds: Plants Larger Than Life", Atlanta Botanical Garden

Even with all the rain, visitation at the Garden is up considerably from last year. And they've already started installing "Garden Lights, Holiday Nights", which last winter brought in record numbers. There's sooooo much going on at the Garden!

"Imaginary Worlds: Plants Larger Than Life", Atlanta Botanical Garden

The Garden is brilliant at creating opportunities for "everyone" to be able to see its exhibitions, from children's tours that are aligned with public school curriculum to the "Lucky Dog Deal" that gives everyone the opportunity, via Social Media, to see Imaginary Worlds for only $10 during "Cocktails in the Garden" on Thursdays in August. Very generous!

"Imaginary Worlds: Plants Larger Than Life", Atlanta Botanical Garden

And have you seen the Imaginary Worlds competition? There are some brilliant entries! This isn't one of the entries...just one of the photos I made recently. She's amazing, isn't she? She's 25 feet tall!!!

"Imaginary Worlds: Plants Larger Than Life", Atlanta Botanical Garden

And then there are the cute little bunnies! There are quite a few of them. Some of the 19 sculptures in Imaginary Worlds are in groupings...two fish, three berries, and a whole bunch of bunnies!

"Imaginary Worlds: Plants Larger Than Life", Atlanta Botanical Garden

The trio of berries are in the Edible Garden, of course, which present a wonderful educational opportunity for visiting kids, as does the entirety of the Edible Garden.

I'm very impressed with all the programming the Garden has for children. The Children's Garden alone is two acres. It has a bee hive, a tree fort, Wednesday morning storytelling, and so much more!

"Imaginary Worlds: Plants Larger Than Life", Atlanta Botanical Garden

The two butterflies, just outside the Visitor Center, are the introduction of Imaginary Worlds to unsuspecting visitors. And they're pretty amazing. The first time I saw a real butterfly on the butterflies, I was ecstatic.

And I've had other visitors tell me that they've seen hummingbirds on them!

"Imaginary Worlds: Plants Larger Than Life", Atlanta Botanical Garden

At the most recent Cocktails in the Garden, which is summer Thursday nights, the Atlanta Ballet gave seven performances in three different areas of the Garden. Sexy, sleek, stunning...the Atlanta Ballet is obviously LOVED by Atlantans based on the number of visitors who came out last Thursday just to see them! And Imaginary Worlds, of course.

"Imaginary Worlds: Plants Larger Than Life", Atlanta Botanical Garden

This was not the first time that the Atlanta Ballet has performed at the Atlanta Botanical Garden, but it was just as amazing every other time they've performed here...this time I particularly enjoy, actually. When you have the opportunity to see the Atlanta Ballet live, don't hold back...go see them!

"Imaginary Worlds: Plants Larger Than Life", Atlanta Botanical Garden

So, surely people are wondering what's the most photographed sculpture in Imaginary Worlds, right? I don't know that answer, but I can offer an educated guess. Earth Goddess is photograph-able from lots of vistas, so my guess is that she's most-photographed.

BUT, I'm guessing that the most photographs with one of the sculptures is either the Cobras—which may be difficult given their 18-feet height—or it could be the Ogre, which is much easier to pose beside...and he's pretty cool, even if not in the best of moods.

"Imaginary Worlds: Plants Larger Than Life", Atlanta Botanical Garden

And did you know that during Cocktails in the Garden, the sculptures are dramatically lit? That's right. Even if you're there at 9:59 p.m., you'll get to see the sculptures...in all their majesty.

And, if you're interested in the "how" Imaginary Worlds came into being—as many visitors are—there's a display in the Orchid Center gallery that gives a behind-the-scenes look into the making of the exhibition, as well as a time-lapse video of the installation of Earth Goddess.

"Imaginary Worlds: Plants Larger Than Life" is here only through October. Make sure you see it!

Not Quite Imaginary Frogs

A couple of days ago I blogged about "Imaginary Worlds" at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. If you've not yet been to see the exhibition, be sure to pop into the Orchid Center lobby to see the plant sculpture frogs! No, they're not part of Imaginary Worlds...they're much more!

Frog Sculptures, Atlanta Botanical Garden

The frog sculptures in the Orchid Center lobby are not part of the Imaginary Worlds exhibition, but they're just as brilliant in their own right. They are the re-imagined "Frelves" (frog elves) from the "Garden Lights, Holiday Nights" exhibition, displayed within a re-purposed Orchid Daze exhibition!

Frog Sculptures, Atlanta Botanical Garden

I can't tell you how happy it makes me to see the Garden re-use material from previous exhibitions...but more so to see it re-used so brilliantly! And it's great to see frogs represented, given the Garden's amphibian research and conservation efforts.

Frog Sculptures, Atlanta Botanical Garden

So, yes...the frog sculptures in the Orchid Center lobby are "larger than life", they're just not part of the Imaginary Worlds exhibition, but I do think they're a brilliant accompaniment to the exhibition, as I'm sure you will.

Imaginary Worlds: Plants Larger Than Life

Wow! Imaginary Worlds: Plants Larger Than Life at the Atlanta Botanical Garden would be beyond belief if its sculptures weren't so colossally larger than life—for real!

Imaginary Worlds, Ogre, Atlanta Botanical Garden

I'm hesitant to share too much about the exhibition because it truly is a must-see...and it's been predicted, by an external source, that 1,000,000 visitors will see Imaginary Worlds!

With that, I'm guessing it'd probably be better to see it sooner rather than later...because you know what happens when you wait until the last minute—you miss the exhibition entirely! You don't want that to happen...it's really that exceptional!

A few items:

• Imaginary Worlds was created by Mosaiculture out of Montreal, Canada
• There are 19 sculptures in the exhibition
• The sculptures are made entirely of living plants
• The tallest sculpture is 25 feet tall
• If you go to Cocktails in the Garden on Thursday nights, enjoy dramatic lighting

Now, here are some photos that I hope will entice you enough to go see this extraordinary exhibition in person:

Imaginary Worlds, Ogre, Atlanta Botanical Garden

Kids love the Ogre! And especially running through the space between his ears. Okay, okay...I admit it...I did it too, but only walked.

Imaginary Worlds, Earth Goddess, Atlanta Botanical Garden

Earth Goddess has already become a favorite. Visitors can see her from the entry drive, from the Canopy Walk, and on the Cascades Garden promenade. She's a towering 25 feet tall!!!

Imaginary Worlds, Cobras, Atlanta Botanical Garden

The pair of Cobras are a super fun surprise as you round the path leading from the Visitor Center, and they're a great photo op spot.

Imaginary Worlds, Unicorn, Atlanta Botanical Garden

I'm not sure who likes the Unicorn more...kids or grownups. The paparazzi are loving him though. He's going to be in a LOT of photographs!

Imaginary Worlds, Unicorn, Atlanta Botanical Garden

I really like this guy...I think partly because I've been streaming Merlin, a television show about Merlin at Camelot—the unicorn episode I recently saw was excellent!

Imaginary Worlds, Fish, Atlanta Botanical Garden

The Dancing Fish are brilliantly designed. When working out how to ensure all sides get adequate sunlight—standing still one side would be largely shaded by the Crape Myrtle Allee—it made total sense, and fun, to have them spin!

Imaginary Worlds, Rabbits, Atlanta Botanical Garden

The Rabbits are playful and adorable...and the red eyes totally give them credibility as authentic! You'll find them in the Orchard on the way to the Edible Garden.

Imaginary Worlds, Rabbits, Atlanta Botanical Garden

While the Rabbits totally look playful, I can't help but think that some of them look a little mischievous, too. The Orchard will be full of not carrots, but apples later in the season.

Imaginary Worlds, Rabbits, Atlanta Botanical Garden

While these little guys may not get carrots, they will be getting a lot of attention. I'm only showing some of the Rabbits here.

Imaginary Worlds, Dog, Atlanta Botanical Garden

The Shaggy Dog, in Storza Woods, is getting a lot of "Awwwww" from visitors who are surprised when they see him. And yes, he's made from living plants, too!

Well, that's all I'm going to show for now...there are other sculptures and some great background in the gallery of the Orchid Center, but I'm hoping you'll discover those in person. Come back and let me know what you think about Imaginary Worlds.

"Imaginary Worlds" is Coming!

The highly anticipated Imaginary Worlds: Plants Larger than Life exhibition at the Atlanta Botanical Garden opens to the public this Saturday! The member preview is this evening and you know I'll be there. Several other friends have told me they'll be there too...and let me tell you, we're all in for a magical, magnificent treat!

Imaginary Worlds, Ogre, Atlanta Botanical Garden

There have been special events at the Garden this week leading up to the official opening and I had the great fortune of being at one of those events. I'm at a loss for words to share with you just how incredible this exhibition is...I think Atlanta is going to fall in love with the Garden all over again! 

I'll tell you more when I post about the exhibition later—I'll make a lot more photos this evening. In the meantime, check out the Garden's website to learn more about this spectacular exhibition of 19 monumental, living sculptures.

INSIDER TIP: The 2013 Cocktails in the Garden kicks off tomorrow, so if you go to that, you'll get to preview Imaginary Worlds AND enjoy a glass of wine.