Studies show that only a small percentage of visitors who come to public gardens do so because of the specific plant collections. Most visitors come for educational programing, spiritual rejuvenation and quiet spaces, or even exercise. Art can be a public garden’s secret weapon in bringing people through the gates that otherwise may not come. Beyond inherent beauty and its power to diversify audiences, art woven into a visitor’s experience cures plant blindness and reinserts the A into STEM curriculum for our children.
Presenter:
S. LaWarre, Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park, Grand Rapids, Michigan; J. Pope, Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Columbus, Ohio; C. Tyler, Terra Design Studios LLC, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
