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Colorado Vignette - Denver Botanic Gardens “Urban Nature”

Always an urban oasis, Denver Botanic Gardens is embracing the city in new ways this year. The Gardens’2008 signature exhi- bition, (April 19 - November 30) “Urban Nature,” explores the intersection of the urban environment and the natural world through art and horticultural practices, outlining strategies that all city dwellers can employ to evoke the natural world as green space diminishes amid concrete and steel.

A sense of contrast, yet balance, with the natural gardens will be realized through paintings by more than 10 local, national and internationally-known street-style painters and mural artists.

Among these prominent international personalities are artists Lady Pink and Mac. New York City- area community activist Lady Pink has transi- tioned from painting subway trains in the 70s and 80s to creating grand scale murals throughout New York City and lecturing in universities throughout the country. Phoenix-based Mac draws inspiration from the surrounding Mexican and Chicano culture of the American Southwest, citing the work of artists Caravaggio, Mucha, Vermeer and Moebius as influential.

Other local and regional talent includes artists Amanda Marie, Elisabeth Bunker, Delton Demarest, Dread, Sophie Fernandez, Javier Flores, Jolt, Mission, Adam Moorhead, Todd Robinson, Ian Rumley, and Wiser.

These street murals will be created on temporary panels situated within the natural beauty of the Gardens’York Street site, forging visual relation- ships that both surprise and resonate. The panels, produced by James Hardie Building Products are made of environmentally friendly materials including wood pulp, cement, sand and water. These materials, which are low in toxicity and have been recycled up to four times, reflect the importance of sustainability to the Gardens’core values.

“Urban Nature” will include a Community Gardens feature that demonstrates the concepts of community gardening. This component will be complemented by original sculptures from Bill, Judy and Robert Schempp of “Mind to Metal.” These metalworks will contain weather-resistant photographs by the Gardens’ official photogra- pher, Scott Dressel-Martin.

Pertinent issues facing city life will be addressed through a comprehensive program schedule, including a discussion on the healing power and deliciousness of wild plants, classes on raising chickens in the city, and hands-on instruction in creating gardens for balconies or terraces. Tours of the “Urban Nature” exhibit will be offered every Saturday and Sunday at 3 p.m.

Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield will host “The Art of Nature” exhibit. This presentation of art embraces natural materials. Panoramic vistas of the foothills serve as the backdrop for site-spe- cific installations by Durango-based environmen- tal artist Mary Ellen Long. These works illustrate how people can express themselves by harnessing nature’s own tools from the earth. “The Art of Nature” will take place from May 3 through Nov. 30

Visit www.botanicgardens.org for more information or call 720-865-3552

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