About Forces of Nature 2012
Curated by Leigh Adams, “Forces of Nature” is a unique opportunity for the public to enjoy, participate, and contribute to this historic collection of trees, gardens and architectural landmarks. The three-day exhibition runs Friday-Sunday, November 30-December 2, 2012, 9am-4:30pm. Information about a reception and auction on Friday, November 30, can be found here.
On the evening of November 30, 2011, the San Gabriel Valley was hit by hurricane-force winds. The windstorm affected many surrounding communities and the magnitude of the destruction was exceptional. The Arboretum suffered the loss of 235 trees and 1,000 more were damaged. In the subsequent massive cleanup by Los Angeles County crews, private contractors, and countless volunteers, precious hardwoods were separated and spared destruction.
The support of the Los Angeles County Supervisors and an extraordinary series of collaborations helped to make this event possible. After the initial cleanup, Arboretum staff and employees worked together to label, transport, divide, and distribute vast quantities of rare hardwoods to participating individuals.
Artists from diverse backgrounds are bringing their unique visions to the public eye. Each artist has contemplated their own way to transform a lost tree into found beauty and to contribute to the ongoing well-being of the Arboretum. We invite you to come share this bounty with us as we celebrate the Arboretum and its collections. We will have an exhibition, live auction, silent auction, and direct sales. There is something for everyone!
Local Artist Highlights: Our gifted artists hail from the San Gabriel Valley, LA Basin, and the farthest reaches of Southern California. The long list includes Jim Butler (Sierra Madre), Joan Carl (Monrovia), Raoul de la Sota (Highland Park), Charles Dickson (Compton), Margaret Garcia (East LA), Steven Lisberger (Santa Monica), Ramon Rodriguez (Long Beach), Denise Seider (Pasadena), William Stranger and Eric Zammit (Altadena). A complete list of participating artists can be found here.
