Benefactor Events
The Los Angeles Arboretum Foundation invites you to become an Arboretum Benefactor and join a membership society that offers special benefits and demonstrates the highest level of commitment in sustaining the Arboretum as an important community resource. All Benefactors are invited to a series of events, lectures and programs annually, all of which include a hosted reception. To join or upgrade your membership, please contact LeAnn Carroll at 626. 821.3237 or leann.carroll@arboretum.org.
Queen Anne Cottage Private Opening Celebration May 5, 2024
The long-awaited private opening celebration of the Queen Anne Cottage. Constructed in 1885, ‘Lucky’ Baldwin created a beautiful statement of modern architecture and beauty, that even now, is one of the Arboretum’s most treasured structures. Undergoing preservation work for over four years, we are happy to welcome Arboretum Benefactors to this exclusive event.
Lightscape Preview November 16, 2023
Lightscape Reimagined for 2023, presented by US Bank, brought light art, music, and holiday fun back to the Arboretum. This exclusive preview, only for Arboretum Benefactors, gave guests a special sneak peek at 13 unique installations along a new route from the Forest Path around to Australia’s Serpent Trail.
Visitor Plaza Opening Celebration June 29, 2023
The conclusion of the Arboretum’s largest capital campaign and construction project debuts at this exclusive event. LA County, Parks and Recreation, and Foundation representatives welcomed donors to the newly opened Visitor Plaza; the new entrance contains the Arrival Plaza, Welcome Plaza, Ticketing Pavilion, and Horticultural Walk of Fame.
An Afternoon Amid the Roses May 7, 2023
A refreshing drink in hand, while walking the Arboretum’s Rose Garden in peak bloom, accompanied by the sweet notes of a string quartet, set the perfect afternoon at the Afternoon Amid the Roses Benefactor Event.
Lightscape Preview November 16, 2022
The internationally acclaimed Lightscape returns with stunning new installations along an expanded trail. Benefactors were the first to wander through the dazzling displays of color, light and sound at this exclusive preview.
Sunset Atop Tallac Knoll August 28, 2022
A cool summer’s eve atop Tallac Knoll , experiencing one of the Arboretum’s most evocative landscapes at dusk. Guests were whisked away to enjoy, food, drink, music, and the Arboretum’s most scenic vista of the San Gabriel Mountains. As a special treat, our horticultural experts led short walks through the tranquil aquatic garden, into the plumeria grove in its full fragrant bloom, and amidst the Engelmann Oaks where important conservation work is underway.
Garden of Quiet Reflection Celebration April 23, 2022
The Arboretum’s newest landscape, the Garden of Quiet Reflection, presents quotations of life wisdom from around the world along a shaded path through botanical collections representing the rich floras of East Asia. At this invitation-only event, you will learn how this garden began with an idea and a generous gift, from longtime Arboretum friends Margaret and Dennis Page, that evolved from concept to completion in the hands of Julie Moir Messervy Design Studio in Vermont and Korn Randolph Landscape Architects in Pasadena. The result is a contemplative journey of words and plants, fostering peace, reflection, and quiet enjoyment of the natural world. Join us and see the Garden of Quiet Reflection in its spring splendor and enjoy food, drink, music, and a chance to explore this garden with those who helped create it.
Lightscape Preview, November 11, 2021
Wander through the magnificent Winter Cathedral, view the mesmerizing Water Flowers, experience the breathtaking Field of Light and more. Lightscape transforms the Arboretum into a night of wonder and light for an unforgettable evening. As an Arboretum Benefactor, you and your guest will be the first to see this year’s festival!
Arboretum Art Walk August 8, 2021
Experience art in a botanical environment this summer as Patricia Ferber, curator, and Brittany Fabeck, art organizer, share with you the interaction between art and nature in the Nature of Sculpture II exhibit.
Acoustic Garden Experience on Queen Anne Cottage Lawn May 22, 2021
As a thank you to you for your support this past year we look forward to seeing you in person again for a special event just for Arboretum Benefactors. Join us as we share updates from the gardens followed by a special chamber music concert.
The Nature of Sculpture II Artists Reception April 18, 2020
Benefactors will experience art in a botanical environment this spring, as 90 artists, explore the theme of The Arboretum Takes Flight with sculptures that highlight the interaction between art and nature. “The exhibit allows us to step beyond ourselves into the diverse beauty of the various landscapes where both the gardens and the art will resonate in harmony,” said Patricia Ferber, curator of both Nature of Sculpture II and the first exhibit. Benefactors will join artists for live music and wine as they tour the exhibition.
Children’s Learning Patio Dedication March 15, 2020
Benefactors are invited to the dedication of the Children’s Learning Patio, the Arboretum’s newest educational resource. The event allows Benefactors to see how we will engage underserved students through a new science field program, foster creativity and exploration during Arboretum Nature Camp, and be a home for hands-on educational programming. The reception will include live music, science activities, and remarks from Arboretum educators.
Moonlight Forest November 8, 2019
Moonlight Forest was a fantasy of light that takes you to new places. Arboretum Benefactors were the first to see the 2019 Moonlight Forest Festival! The festival allowed visitors to dive under the seas with exotic fish and a giant shark in the Ocean Visions exhibit. Then step into a winter wonderland with the Polar Dreams experience featuring playful penguins and cuddly sled dogs.
Redwood Reborn June 23, 2019
Two years ago, a dawn redwood at the Arboretum, among the first specimens of this living fossil grown in North America, finally succumbed to the record drought. Wood from the the tree was salvaged and meticulously fashioned into a beautiful guitar by luthier Dennis Hays. The amazing story of the redwood and its rebirth as a musical instrument was celebrated with an afternoon of nature, art and music. Harvard University’s Peter Del Tredici, senior scientist at the Arnold Arboretum, shared how the dawn redwood, once thought to be extinct, was discovered and journeyed to North America, to make possible the 12 specimens that thrive at the Arboretum today. Hays discussed the guitar he created for the Forces of Nature I exhibit in 2017 featuring art made of wood from fallen trees at the Arboretum. Internationally renowned guitarist Laurence Juber performed pop and jazz classics.
Digital Nature Opening Reception February 27, 2019
Nature+Technology=Art: Digital Nature 2019. Guests met and greeted the artists whose work was projected onto the night landscape of the Arboretum. The exclusive opening night reception featured artist talks, live music with Desert Magic and wine. Inspired by the natural world and technology, the artists explored themes as diverse as butterfly camouflage, bird songs and heavy metal, and digital wildflowers. Some art was interactive, some with sound or live performances, others silent. The exhibit was supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts and curated by Shirley Alexandra Watts.
