MEMBERSHIP MAGAZINE OF THE DALLAS ARBORETUM AND BOTANICAL GARDEN
SPRING 2025
As we embrace one of the most visually stunning seasons of the year, we are filled with deep gratitude for the unwavering support from the greater Dallas community and the visionary leadership of our Board of Directors, who helped us launch an ambitious five-year strategic plan.
In this inaugural issue of In Bloom, you’ll discover elements that reflect this plan—from diverse programming to broad community engagement—centered on our core mission: A garden for all
In our ongoing commitment to sustainability, this magazine is being distributed digitally to our members, with a limited print edition available for those at the Friend and Patron levels. Additionally, to highlight our dedication to innovative programming, STEM-based education and widespread community outreach, we’ve included in-depth feature articles with insights from experts and stakeholders beyond the Arboretum.
It’s clear that Dallas recognizes the importance of beautiful outdoor spaces that foster a connection to nature and community, and we are proud to be a part of that movement.
Sabina Carr, President and Chief Executve Officer
Scan here to read our new strategic plan.
IN BLOOM
CONTENTS
03 The Pecan Parterre Garden Room
A glimpse behind the construction fence in A Woman’s Garden
04 Cool Thursdays Concerts
Celebrating 28 years of live music on the lawn
06 Invest in a Treasured Community Landscape
Become a member of the Dallas Arboretum today
08 Everything’s Bigger in Texas
The Grand Spectacle of Color at the Dallas Arboretum
12 A Garden for All
Increasing engagement with strategic partnerships and community outreach
CONTRIBUTORS
Editor
Chris Smith, Senior Vice President, Marketing & Guest Experience
Editorial, Creative Direction & Production
L+S Creative Group
Contributors
Maureen Gutierrez
Dustin Miller
Megan Proska
Photography
Karen Faris, Creative Art Director
Wilson
Brady Witcher, Senior Marketing Manager
ON THE COVER A Woman’s Garden at the Dallas Arboretum. Image courtesy of the Dallas Arboretum.
The Dallas Arboretum is a nonprofit organization supported, in part, by funds from Dallas Park and Recreation.
16 Cultivating Success
Outreach through the Jonesville Foundation Pathway to Science Education partnership raises STEAM interest, and test scores
20 Celebrating the Familiar
Works by celebrated American artist Seward Johnson capture the shared experiences of daily life
24 Donors & Sponsors
Dallas Arboretum supporters from 1/1/24 to 12/31/24
28 Your Dream Wedding Awaits
Dallas Arboretum offers unforgettable venues for your special day
29 Calendar at a Glance
HOW TO REACH THE DALLAS ARBORETUM
Mail 8525 Garland Road, Dallas, Texas 75218
Phone 214.515.6615 Email info@dallasarboretum.org
HOW TO SUPPORT THE DALLAS ARBORETUM
The Pecan Parterre Garden Room
A glimpse behind the construction fence in A Woman’s Garden
Anew vision for the garden room known as Pecan Parterre in A Woman’s Garden is underway. A majestic native Texas pecan tree anchors the garden and will be surrounded by an ornamental arrangement of plantings or a “parterre,” hence this garden’s name. “Play Days,” a statue by Harriet Whitney Frishmuth on permanent loan from the Dallas Museum of Art, will anchor the garden, which provides impressive views of White Rock Lake from the hillside.
Like all the gardens in the three-acre A Woman’s Garden, the financial responsibility for construction and maintenance belongs to the Women’s Council of the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. The group’s signature fundraising projects are The Mad Hatter’s Tea in the spring and A Writer’s Garden in the fall.
Landscape architect Warren Hill Johnson has completed design of the project with direction from the Women’s Council and
Dallas Arboretum Principal Gift Officer and horticulturalist Dave Forehand. An exciting feature in this garden will be an accessible walkway that extends from the upper level of the garden to the lower level. From this pathway, guests will have direct access to The Poetry Garden and The Flowering Vitex Allee. A pavestone circular patio along the perimeter path will create an additional entertainment space as well as a functional turnaround spot for service vehicles.
New plantings will include a shorter variety of boxwood, Baby Gem (Buxus microphylla japonica “Gregem” ). Three remarkable specimen trees will be highlighted: a Paperbark Maple (Acer griseum), a Persian Ironwood ( Parrotia persica) and a Serpentine Blue Atlas Cedar (Cedrus atlantica x serpentine).
For more information on the Women’s Council and the Mad Hatter’s Luncheon on Thursday, April 17, 2025, visit wcdabg.org.
Rendering of the Pecan Parterre project by landscape architect Warren Hill Johnson
Cool Thursdays Concerts
Celebrating 28 years of live music on the lawn
The Spring Cool Thursdays concert season kicked off April 3 and continues through June 26. Returning favorites like Sounds of Summer appear alongside exciting new acts including WHITNEY, a Whitney Houston tribute band.
Based in Southern Indiana, Sounds of Summer is four incredibly talented guys—David Ertel, Connor Ertel, Eric Wernke and Matt Hurley—who have known each other since grade school and share a love of 1960s music and Beach Boys harmonies. The band has
been playing across the country since 2015.
Cool Thursdays, presented by HilltopSecurities, has become a Dallas favorite for live music. Guests pack their own picnics or choose from an expanded selection of pre-order food options. Gil’s Elegant Catering also offers beer and wine for purchase, or guests may bring their own alcohol for a corkage fee of $5 per reservation.
The price of admission includes access to the garden before the concert.
Martin Rutchik Concert Stage and Lawn overlooking White Rock Lake
Cool Thursdays Concert Lineup
Join us on Thursdays this spring for music, fun and unforgettable sunsets over White Rock Lake.
APRIL
17 Nearly Diamond
24 Purple Madness, The Prince Tribute Band
MAY
1 Definitely Maybe Oasis, Oasis Tribute Band
8 Fleatwood MAC, A Fleetwood MAC Tribute
22 Mr. Worldwide, The Ultimate Pitbull Tribute
29 Karen as Dolly!
JUNE
5 Sounds of Summer
12 The British Are Coming
19 WHITNEY, Whitney Houston Tribute Band
26 Infinite Journey
More Music at the Arboretum
The Dallas Arboretum is also home to an afternoon concert series and weekend violin, cello and piano performances—all free with the price of admission to the garden.
MARTIN RUTCHIK CONCERT STAGE
All concerts 2–4 p.m.
MAY
24 The Coppertones
25 Model Citizens
26 Elevation
JULY
4 Ashmore
5 Alpha Dogs
6 Elevation
JEANNE’S PAVILION
All performances 12–2 p.m. except where noted.
APRIL
19 Mauricio Campos, violin
10 Rebecca Cordes, piano
26 Adri Rojas, piano
27 Music Starz Studio, piano
MAY
3 Sydney Barber, piano
4 Brianne Sargent, cello
10 Brenno Lima, piano
11 Adri Rojas, piano
17 Ross Redmond, piano
18 Karen Lim Smith, violin
24 Mauricio Campos, violin
25 Music Starz Studio, piano
31 Rebecca Noel, piano
JUNE
1 Adri Rojas, piano
7 Brenna Lima, piano
8 Rebecca Noel, piano
14 Wilson Borry, piano
15 Mauricio Campos, violin
19 12–2 p.m. Sydney Barber, piano
19 2–4 p.m. Brianne Sargent, cello
21 Brianne Sargent, cello
22 Karen Lim Smith, violin
28 Ross Redmond, piano
29 Music Starz Studio, piano
JULY
4 Rebecca Cordes, piano
5 Brenno Lima, piano
6 Adri Rojas, piano
12 Maricio Campos, violin
13 Rebecca Noel, piano
19 Rachael Levine, cello
20 Karen Lim Smith, violin
26 Ross Redmond, piano
27 Music Starz Studio, piano
Invest in a Treasured Community Landscape
Become a Friend of the Dallas Arboretum today
The Friends and Caroline Rose Hunt Society of the Dallas Arboretum are distinguished donors who annually support the Arboretum’s ongoing horticulture, education and research efforts with a gift of $3,500 or more. This membership level enables the Arboretum to continue enriching our community and inspiring future generations to appreciate the importance of the garden and its mission.
Member Events
As a benefit of membership, members are invited to exclusive events throughout the year.
APRIL
18 Easter Egg Hunt 7:45–9:00 a.m.
19 Easter Egg Hunt 7:45–9:00 a.m.
25 Artscape Member Night, 6–8 p.m.
27 Mother’s Day Brunch with Wolfgang Puck Catering, 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
30 Spring Family Night, 6–8 p.m.
MAY
11 Mother’s Day Brunch with Wolfgang Puck Catering, 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
13 Artscape Member Night, 6–8 p.m.
18 Mother’s Day Brunch with Wolfgang Puck Catering, 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
25 Mother’s Day Brunch with Wolfgang Puck Catering, 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
JUNE
4 Garden of Music, 6–8 p.m.
JULY
30 Garden of Music, 6–8 p.m.
Dates are accurate as of March 25.
Friends enjoy benefits beyond general membership including behind-the-scenes tours, reserved parking, reserved Cool Thursdays concert seating, private garden tours, elegant dinners in the garden, travel opportunities and additional benefits.
For more information on becoming a Friend, call 214-515-6548 or email friends@dallasarboretum.org. Become a Friend today at dallasarboretum.org/membership.
Jim and Robin Carreker
Ruthie and Jay Pack, Cheryl Coke, Walter Priddy and Steve Coke at Caroline Rose Hunt Society Fall Dinner
Ruth and Nathan Vogt at Caroline Rose Hunt Society Fall Dinner
Friends wine and dine together for Cool Thursdays Concerts
Peter and Lynn
Dauterman, Rosser Newton
Adam and Brittany Batchelor
Don Tapani and David Sassano
Bruce and Jill Powell-Goldberg
Ken and Stacey Malcolmson
Representatives from Fall Dinner Sponsor West Monroe
Adam and Francine Gersting
Sabina Carr
Will McDaniel
Regina Monyoya
Jessica Montoya Coggins
Tom McCasland Greenhouse tour joined by Sabina Carr
Paul Coggins
Everything’s in Texas Bigger
The Grand Spectacle of Color at the Dallas Arboretum
Associcate Vice President, Horticulture
Dallas Arboretum
MEGAN PROSKA
Texas is known for doing everything on a grand scale, and when it comes to breathtaking botanical displays, the Dallas Arboretum stands as a shining example. With massive floral showcases, expansive seasonal changeouts and record-breaking pumpkin and tulip exhibits, the Dallas Arboretum takes the adage “Everything’s Bigger in Texas” to a whole new level.
BOLD BLOOMS AND VIBRANT DISPLAYS
The Dallas Arboretum boasts some of the most impressive color displays in the country, with over a million blooms featured annually—almost all grown in our production greenhouse. Meticulously designed flower beds burst with a kaleidoscope of colors that evolve throughout the seasons. Spring brings sprawling tulip displays that rival those of Holland, summer offers dazzling heat-tolerant blooms, and autumn erupts in a fiery array of marigolds, salvias and chrysanthemums. No matter the time of year, the Dallas Arboretum’s flower beds prove that Texas doesn’t hold back when it comes to showstopping agricultural beauty.
162 COL OR BEDS
Need some ideas for your own plantings?
Here’s what’s featured in our 162 color beds by season.
SPRING
African Daisy
Dahlia
Delphinium
Dianthus
Euphorbia
Flowering Tobacco
Foxglove
Fuchsia
Geranium
Lobelia
Million Bells
Petunias
Snapdragon
Spider Flowers
Sweet Alyssum
Stock
Wallflower
WINTER
Cardoon
Dianthus
Dusty Miller
Foxglove
Mustard
Ornamental Kale
Pansy
Salvia Argentea
Snapdragon
Viola
Wallflower
SUMMER
Alternanthera
Amaranthus
Begonia
Caladium
Canna Lily
Coleus
Cuphea
Dichondra
Dwarf Morning Glory
Elephant Ear
Globe Amaranth
Hibiscus
Impatiens
Lantana
Ornamental Grass
Pentas
Portulaca
Salvia
Summer Snapdragon
Sweet Potato Vine
Vinca
Wishbone Flower
Zinnia
FALL
Bidens
Celosia
Chrysanthemum
Coleus
Croton
Dusty Miller
Marigold
Mustard
Ornamental Pepper
Pentas
Salvia
Sweet Potato Vine
Margaret Elizabeth Jonsson Color Garden
Rose Mary Haggar Rose Garden
BULB PLANTINGS ON A
TEXAS-SIZED
SCALE
Flower lovers rejoice each spring as the Dallas Arboretum unveils bulb plantings with more than 500,000 tulips, narcissus and hyacinths imported from Holland that are covered with 120,000 pansies, hand-planted to create an ever-changing masterpiece of more than a million blooms. This annual transformation, a hallmark of the Dallas Blooms festival, is one of the largest floral displays in the Southwest. Accompanied by other early bloomers, the gardens explode with color, creating an immersive experience that draws visitors from around the world. During Dallas Blooms, guests will find:
Narcissus
Double Jonquilla
Large-cupped
Paperwhite
Small-cupped
Split Corona
Tazetta
Triandus
Trumpet
Tulips
Darwin Hybrid
Double Early
Double Late
Fosteriana Fringed
Lily-flowered Parrot
Single Early
Single Late
Triumph
More!
Allium Crocus Fritillaria
Hyacinth Leucojum
Muscari
Scilla
To pull off these enormous seasonal updates, the Dallas Arboretum has 18 degreed horticulturists and 64 horticulture staff members to tend the gardens.
At left: Guests take in the vibrant colors and fragrant tulips during Dallas Blooms.
MASSIVE SEASONAL CHANGEOUTS
While most gardens undergo a few minor seasonal updates, the Dallas Arboretum embraces a Texas-sized approach to reinvention. The gardens undergo four major seasonal changes each year, ensuring a fresh and dynamic experience every time guests visit. Whether it’s the cool-weather violas and snapdragons of winter, the vibrant zinnias and salvia of summer, or the rich jewel-toned mums of fall, our commitment to seasonal variety makes the Dallas Arboretum a living work of art.
THE BIGGEST PUMPKIN FESTIVAL IN TEXAS
Autumn in Texas isn’t complete without a visit to the nationally acclaimed Pumpkin Village, part of Autumn at the Arboretum. This awe-inspiring display features more than 100,000 pumpkins, gourds and squash, transforming the garden into a fairytalelike setting with larger-than-life pumpkin houses, archways and artistic installations. One of the biggest pumpkin displays in the country, the Arboretum takes fall festivities to a whole new level—Texas style!
A CHRISTMAS WONDERLAND ON A GRAND SCALE
When the holiday season arrives, the Arboretum doesn’t just decorate—it dazzles! Holiday at the Arboretum features the famous 12 Days of Christmas exhibit, a massive outdoor display of Victorian-style gazebos, each depicting scenes from the classic Christmas carol with mechanical characters and festive lights. Complemented by a spectacular 1.5 million-light holiday display, 260 spruce brought in from Oregon, 750 hollies and a Europeanstyle Christmas Village, the beloved holiday tradition is one of the most magical in Texas.
burst of summer color lines The Lyda Bunker Hunt Paseo de Flores.
Stepping back in time at last year’s Autumn at the Arboretum in the Texas Town Pumpkin Village.
Tucked away in the McCasland Sunken Garden, Victor Salmones’ Chico y Chica de la Playa sculpture and fountain create a picturesque backdrop for weddings and photos.
A Garden for All
Increasing engagement with strategic partnerships and community outreach
CHRIS SMITH
Senior Vice President, Marketing and Guest Experience
Dallas Arboretum
Clockwise from top left: Reaching new heights—summer fun in the Children’s Adventure Garden
Children’s Adventure Garden included with 2025 general admission
A cooking demonstration at Pride in Bloom Guests show their pride and enjoy a colorful day at the Dallas Arboretum.
A Growing Strategy
Mission The Dallas Arboretum is a garden for all that enriches lives through beauty, learning and connection.
Vision A world-class sanctuary where people and plants flourish in the natural environment.
Core Values Our values define who we are, what we believe in and how we engage with the community and one another. They guide our actions and interactions.
Community We cultivate connections with our community, embrace diverse perspectives, and foster a sense of belonging so that everyone feels valued and encouraged to connect with nature.
Learning We provide opportunities for lifelong learning that inspire individuals to appreciate nature and care for the environment.
Innovation We foster a culture of creative thinking that drives problem-solving and inspires growth.
Sustainability We are dedicated to climate adaptation and the responsible stewardship of natural and fiscal resources.
Renowned American landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted once wrote that the value of green spaces was “not in their size or grandeur but in the way they allow people to connect with nature and with each other.” This idea is as relevant today as it was when first written in the mid-19 th century. The Dallas Arboretum’s new strategic plan takes this sentiment to heart, creating a roadmap that will guide the garden for the next five years as it continues to bring people and plants together in inspiring, educational and community-centered ways.
The Arboretum is truly already a garden for all. It serves as a green oasis for much of Dallas and a sought-after destination that attracts frequent visitors from a 50-mile radius, many of whom later become members. Looking ahead to 2026, an influx of international tourists promises to bring even greater diversity to the garden as Dallas plays host to nine matches from the FIFA World Cup 26™, including four knockout games in the latter stages of the tournament.
“The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden is a true gem in our city and an essential part of Dallas’ tourism landscape,” said Visit Dallas CEO Craig Davis. “With its breathtaking seasonal events—like the iconic Dallas Blooms and Autumn at the Arboretum—this world-class garden provides an unforgettable experience for visitors. The stunning floral displays, engaging programming and lakeside setting make it a must-visit, yearround destination for travelers.”
To ensure the Dallas Arboretum provides universal appeal, it partners closely with Visit Dallas and is increasing engagement this year with the Dallas Regional Chamber, Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce, Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Greater East Dallas Chamber of Commerce, Black Tie Dinner and many other community groups.
“These strategic partnerships are key to expanding Arboretum access and engagement,” said Dallas Arboretum President and CEO Sabina Carr. “Through a wide range of offerings, we connect with broad audiences reinforcing our commitment to becoming a garden for all.”
Artist Vandana Mehta showcases her work at Artscape.
Guests explore unique works from juried artists at Artscape.
The Dallas Arboretum’s diverse offerings include a curated collection of featured events and festivals throughout the year:
Artscape presented by Bank of Texas, April 26 & 27, 2025
There’s something for everyone at this beloved annual event where guests can shop with 100 talented artists showcasing their works in the Jonsson Color Garden. Plus, Summer Artscape returns June 13-15, 2025.
Black Heritage Celebration
presented by Bank of America, May 3 & 4, 2025
This two-day celebration will showcase Black designers, artists, entertainers and businesses as they proudly display, engage and educate the community on the beauty and inspiration of Black culture.
Summer at the Arboretum, June 7 through August 17, 2025
Engaging activities, summer camps and fun events for the whole family invite guests to experience the beauty of summer at the Dallas Arboretum.
Pride in Bloom, June 21, 2025
Experience the beauty of inclusivity and celebrate diversity and community with a daytime LGBTQ+ vendor market and more followed by a nighttime live music and social celebration.
Hispanic Heritage Celebration presented by Bank of America, September 13 & 14, 2025
A two-day celebration featuring food, vendors, live music and the ever-popular Quinceañera Fashion Show.
Clockwise from top left: Local businesses connect with the community. Guests celebrate community and enjoy a beautiful weekend at the Dallas Arboretum during the Black Heritage Celebration.
Live performances bring energy and tradition to the Hispanic Heritage Celebration.
The Quinceañera Fashion Show steals the spotlight at the Hispanic Heritage Celebration.
Cultivating Success
Outreach through the Jonesville Foundation
Pathway to Science Education partnership raises teacher confidence, STEAM interest, and test scores
SELENA WILSON Associate Vice President, Learning Dallas
Fifth graders explore day and night using models. All photographs courtesy of the Dallas Arboretum.
Arboretum
When Dallas philanthropist Pat Vaughn launched the Jonesville Foundation in 2008, named for her hometown in East Texas, she wanted to empower women and children to achieve lifelong success. The foundation has made numerous grants to achieve her vision “to improve our community by creating opportunities for people to improve themselves.” But a grant to the Dallas Arboretum to boost interest and achievement in science was especially personal, combining her own interest in science—she was a retired science teacher at Bryan Adams High School—and her belief in the Dallas Arboretum as a teaching tool. Vaughn had a bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences from Southern Methodist University and a master’s degree in Recreation and Park Administration from Indiana University. She died in January 2019 before the program came to full fruition and third-party evaluation proved its success.
Teaching began in the fall of 2018 focusing on elementary science in Bryan Adams High School feeder schools in East Dallas. The primary goal was to improve State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) test scores in low-performing Dallas ISD schools. The initial three-year pilot, funded at $100,000 annually, included four Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)-aligned lessons per grade level for third through fifth grades. The interactive program involved bringing teaching tools into the classroom as well as field trips to the Dallas Arboretum.
“We designed lessons to target science concepts that students were struggling with most,” said Dallas Arboretum Academic Program Manager Jessica Liken. “Then we provided hands-on science investigations to fully engage students and focus on real-world connections with students’ everyday lives, fostering their interest in science. Garden connections were built in to instill appreciation of the natural world, with Dallas Arboretum educators bringing garden elements to students who might otherwise not have access.”
Left: Children explore patterns and light through a kaleidoscope. Top: Fourth graders build a pickle battery and a circuit that powers a light bulb. Above: Using an Archimedes’ screw pump, children learn how to move water from a low place to a high one.
MAKING SCIENCE
Fun & Interactive
Lessons from the Jonesville Foundation Pathway to Science Education program
Diving Into Physical Properties Students explore the issue of marine debris, how it affects the environment and how they can prevent trash from entering our waterways. They are presented with a real-world situation at the Dallas Arboretum—a collection of objects that has fallen into one of the water features. They use tools including pan balances and magnets to determine the physical properties of the objects and the best way to retrieve them.
Amazing Adaptations By bringing wheatgrass, cactus and carnivorous sundew plants to the schools, the Dallas Arboretum provides hands-on access to nature, allowing students to observe these plants, compare their roots, stems and leaves, and, with the help of photographs, investigate how plants adapt to survive in different Texas environments.
Pickle-Powered This lesson helps students struggling to understand circuits and the flow of electricity by building one using wires, switches and LEDs with pickles as the power source. They are amazed that something that once grew in a garden can power a circuit!
All About Ants Students investigate an insect commonly found in the natural world around them by observing live ant farms using tools such as hand lenses. They explore physical and behavioral traits of ants, a topic that is heavily tested on STAAR.
—Cent Shaw, Fifth Grade Teacher, Larry G. Smith Elementary “
“Because of the program, my students’ enthusiasm for science increased. They left each lesson with more wonderings about the world around them.”
Paused by COVID, the Dallas Arboretum developed six new lessons during the interruption for a total of 18 with subjects as varied (and fun!) as life cycles of arthropods with the Dallas Arboretum’s live collection, pickles powering light bulbs, and using stream tables to investigate how wind, water and ice contribute to the varied formation of the earth’s surface. The relaunch of the program after COVID included all nine elementary schools in the Bryan Adams feeder pattern and the Mount Auburn STEAM Academy in the Woodrow Wilson High School feeder pattern.
CNM Outcomes and Evaluation Services evaluated the program’s first full three-year cycle, Fall 2021 through Spring 2024, and found the Dallas Arboretum helped 84% of science educators increase their confidence in teaching science concepts and increased achievement on identified performance standards by 12%. The program was a finalist for CNM’s 2024 A Night of Light Nonprofit Awards of Excellence.
Following the first three-year focus on the Bryan Adams High School feeder schools, the program has expanded to H. Grady Spruce High School in Pleasant Grove and Justin F. Kimball High School in Oak Cliff feeder schools.
School principals participating in the program going forward are enthused about its potential. Dr. Samantha White, principal at Richard Lagow Elementary School, says she is thrilled to have the school participate in the Jonesville Foundation’s Pathway to Science Education initiative over the next three years.
“This program will provide our students with hands-on, inquiry-based learning experiences that foster curiosity and critical thinking skills,” White says. “It aligns perfectly with our current curriculum and commitment to academic excellence and innovation. I am confident it will inspire our students to explore STEAM fields and reach new heights in their educational journeys beginning at the elementary level.”
Fifth graders explore physical and behavioral traits while observing the Arboretum’s live ant farm.
Fifth graders explore soil as a mixture and investigate the ingredients that make up soil.
Fourth graders learn about different Texas environments and which plant grows best in each environment.
Children’s Adventure Garden, where friendships bloom and learning comes to life.
Celebrating the Familiar
Works by renowned American artist Seward Johnson capture the shared experiences of daily life
Vice President of Programs & Learning Dallas Arboretum
When the monumental aluminum sculpture Crossing Paths left its home at Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton, New Jersey, in late February, it was an instant social media sensation. Deconstructed and strapped upon two flatbed trailers, the 40-foot-tall women (if they were standing) and their park bench (in pieces) were photographed by passersby all the way to Dallas. It was the first time the sculpture had left its home since it was originally installed in 2011. Now, it’s the featured piece among 11 Seward Johnson hyper-realistic bronze sculptures from his Celebrating the Familiar series in an exhibition that continues at the Dallas Arboretum through August 17, 2025.
“This year, for the 40 th annual Dallas Blooms, we blended the Arboretum’s natural beauty with Seward Johnson’s thoughtprovoking art to create a one-of-a-kind experience for our community,” said Dallas Arboretum President and CEO Sabina
Carr. “It’s a celebration of the regular moments of life that connect us all.”
Johnson’s work has transformed public spaces around the globe by capturing everyday experiences, often featuring figures in seemingly candid moments like the two women sitting on a bench having a conversation in Crossing Paths.
“ It’s a small moment in the day of these two women,” said Seward Johnson Atelier Chief Legacy Officer Lynn DeClemente Losavio. “When you see something so mundane on such a large scale, it makes you wonder how they know each other or what they’re talking about. It pushes you to step back and ask what it means. Johnson’s sculptures serve as reminders to pause, observe and rediscover the delights of daily life—both in human moments and in nature itself. Through Celebrating the Familiar, Johnson shows that the ordinary is, in fact, extraordinary when we take the time to truly see it.”
Crossing Paths may seem especially familiar to the Dallas
‹ Crossing Paths By the Numbers
Installing Crossing Paths, the largest aluminum sculpture hosted by the garden to date, was an enormous task that required two trucks, a 60-ton crane, a 5,500-watt generator, and two full days.
Total Weight: 23,790 pounds
Height of Women: 20 feet seated, 40 feet, if standing
“In our busy society—filled with so much technology and mindless distraction—it’s easy sometimes to forget the simple things that give us pleasure. If we open our eyes, life is marvelous. The human spirit triumphs, if only for moments in a day. I try to have my work call attention to those moments.”
Arboretum’s returning guests because they may have seen the smaller, life-sized version in 2020 during a previous Seward Johnson exhibition. During that time, all the walking paths in the garden were designated one way to achieve social distancing. The colossal piece is placed in the same spot as its smaller cousin on the main promenade in a playful déjà vu.
Johnson, who died in March 2020 at 89 at his home in Key West, was a self-taught artist who believed his pieces should be interacted with—benches beckon us to take a seat, books or sketch pads beg a closer look and a touch. So, each time they travel, the sculptures are completely restored using automotive paint that Johnson discovered can stand up to his fans and the weather.
In that earlier exhibition, only a limited number of sculptures could travel because the restoration process was restricted by social distancing as well. But for the current exhibit, the full book of Johnson’s work was available, making it possible to choose a variety of subject matter that blurs the line between art and reality in settings throughout the garden that make guests feel like part of each scene.
Skateboarder, for instance, was installed at A Tasteful Place among short steps and rails with the Dallas skyline providing a spectacular backdrop. As guests engage with the piece, it evokes
a sense of joy and adventure, drawing them into the dynamic energy of the scene and making them feel like active participants in the artwork.
Hot Weather, a boy eating ice cream, can be seen at Café on the Green. As spring warms into summer, plantings in the area will have names reminiscent of ice cream flavors, from mint to banana flowers. Guests can buy their own ice cream and reenact the scene with the sculpture.
No doubt many selfies will be taken before this exhibit wraps up in August.
Enjoy Seward Johnson at Home
Learn more about Seward Johnson in these books available at the Dallas Arboretum Gift Shop.
Seward Johnson: A Life in Public Art
Grounds for Sculpture and the Seward Johnson Atelier: A Synergy of Ideas
Seward Johnson and his Bronze Friends: Realism and Creative Imagination in Contemporary American Sculpture
Donors & Sponsors
From January 1, 2024–December 31, 2024
THANK YOU!
Donations and sponsorships are a meaningful way to maintain the Dallas Arboretum and promote research and education. Thank you to these generous sponsors for supporting our mission to be a garden for all.
Dallas Southwest Osteopathic Physicians
$100,000 + Lyda Hill
The Jeanne R. Johnson Foundation
The Jonesville Foundation
Reliant
Women’s Council of The Dallas Arboretum
$50,000 - $99,999
Amegy Bank
The David M. Crowley Foundation
Dallas Southwest Osteopathic Physicians, Inc.
HilltopSecurities, Inc.
The M.R. & Evelyn Hudson Foundation
Caroline Lewis Hunt
Pollock Foundation
Sammons Enterprises, Inc.
Stephen M. Seay Foundation, Inc.
Myra and Darwin Smith
WFAA
$25,000 - $49,999
Alfred & Kathryn Gilman Family Giving Fund
Bank of America
Cheryl and Steve Coke
The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Public Tourism Improvement District
Lynn and Peter Dauterman
Peggy Dear
Pace Goodwin
Margaret and Doyle Hartman
International Paper Foundation
Will Jordan
Kimberly-Clark Corporation
Howard Meyers
ONCOR
Park Place Dealerships
Ilene Phillips
Rosewood Corporation
The Rupe Foundation
$10,000 - $24,999
Susie and John Adams
Carol and Steve Baker
Carolyn and Ken Barth
Karen and Spencer Beal
Jo Ann Biggs
Barbara and Bob Bigham
Diane and Hal Brierley
Alice and Dr. Michael Brown
Deanna and Jack Brown
Dr. Linda L. Burk and Dr. John R. Gilmore
President and Mrs. George W. Bush
Joe Buskuhl
Robin and Jim Carreker
CC Young Senior Living
Central Market/HEB
Shannon and Fred Cerise
CFP Foundation
Pat and Jon Christiansen
Communities Foundation of Texas
Mary Cook
Suzie and Bunker Curnes
Dave Perry Miller Real Estate
Pilar and Lew Davies
Maureen and Robert Decherd
Laura Divine
The Dodson Foundation, Inc.
Pat and Bob Dryden
Barbara and Steven Durham
Durham Family Foundation
Ecolab
Julie and Bob England
Anita and Jim English
Tucker and Rich Enthoven
Cindy and Charlie Feld
Grace and Terry Fong
Julie Ford*
Sarah Gannon and Laura Greenwood
Colleen and David Gardner
Pat and Bill Gibson
Elisabeth W. Grant
Susie and Louis Gregory
Judy and Roy Gurley
Carol Hagan
Margie and Dr. John Haley
Debra and Ken Hamlett
Alison Hansen
Marie Park and Joe Hardt
Laurie Sands Harrison
Linda Harvey
Kay and James Hibbetts
Lyda Hill
Betsy* and Clyde Jackson
Jan and Chuck Jarvie
Janet Jensen
Junior League of Dallas, Inc.
Eileen and Chris Kendall
Kirkland and Ellis Law Firm
Caroline D. Kohl
Trudy and Bob Ladd
Barbara Lake
Donna B. Lane
Lennox International, Inc.
Mary and Terry MacRae
JoAnne and Stephen Mastor
McDonald’s of North Texas
Shirley and Bill McIntyre
Jan and Richard McMillan
Vinette Montgomery and Michael
Montgomery
Regina Montoya and Paul Coggins
Harry S. Moss Foundation
Betty and James Muns Foundation
Marla C. Muns
Patty and Bobby Nail
Julie and Pierce Noble
The Agnes Cluthe Oliver Foundation
Ruthie and Jay Pack
Maureen Parks
Margot Perot
Polestar
Kay Preddy
Ella Prichard
Kim and Walter Priddy
Katherine and Eric Reeves
Bob and Terry Rowling
Jane and Jim Ryan
Bill Sams
Kristy and Patrick Sands
Marcy and Steve Sands
Nancy Clements Seay
Debbie and Brian Shivers
Mary Silva
Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits
Venise and Larry Stuart
Mary and Richard Templeton
Charlotte C. Test*
Texas Telcom Credit Union
Ruth and Nathan Vogt
Tim Wallace
Alan and Joan Walne
Cindy Ward
Marilyn and Ben Weber
Artie Sue and Larry Wells
Melinda and Steve Winn
$5,000 - $9,999
AAA Texas
ADP Inc
AECOM Hunt
Courtney Alperin
American Airlines
Anonymous (2)
Apex Fence and Iron
Apogee Supply, LLC
Baker Triangle
Brittany and Adam Batchelor
Kathy Bliekamp
Terri Boyd and Mike Frank
Carole L. Braden
Millie and Allan Bradley
Rebecca and Jon Brumley
Bruning Foundation
Karen and Tommy Campbell
Charles Schwab
Kyle and David Choate
CIGNA Healthcare of Texas, Inc.
Anne and Harris Clark
Pat & Gill Clements Foundation
Janis and Roy Coffee
Phyllis Conces
Dodee and Billy Crockett
Dallas Mavericks
Doyle & Associates
Kathy and Tim Eller
Carol Elliott
The Enrico Foundation
Sandra Estess
Jane Ewing*
Ewing Family Foundation
Amy and Lee Fikes
Mary Fox
Gray Reed
Green Lake Nursery
J. M. Haggar, Jr. Family Foundation
Alison and Owen Hannay
Lisa Havens
Haynes and Boone, LLP
Ann and John Henry
HKS Architects
Frankie and Gerald Horn
Jackson Walker
Susan E. Jelen
Sue and Phil John
Charles Jones
Shuni and Andrew Kang
Kessler Collins
Kama Boswell Koudelka
Dorothy Lay
Laurel Levin
Locke Lord, LLP
Anne Logan
Loy Loveless
Marilyn Rauland Kidder Foundation
Marsh McLennan Agency
Myron Martin
Holly and Tom Mayer
Denise McCombs
Sandy Nachman
Jan Norris
Norton Rose Fulbright Law Firm
Ann and Michael Ochstein
Frances D. Payne
Carolyn Pichardo
Chris and Starr Pitzer
Regional Hispanic Contractors Association
Jean Ellen Rogers
Pat Schenkel
Mary Beth and Gordon Shapiro
Amanda and Charlie Shufeldt
Slalom
St. John’s Episcopal School
Star Concessions
Joanie and Tom Stephens
Betty and Stephen Suellentrop
Greg Swalwell and Terry Connor
Barbara C. and Robert P. Sypult
Don Tapani and David Sassano
Connie Stamets and Brice Tarzwell
Texas Instruments Foundation
United Way of Metropolitan Dallas
Vinson & Elkins LLP
Lori and Robb Voyles
Anne and Walt Waldie
Gil and Dody Weaver Foundation
Kay and Peter Weeks
Wells Fargo Advisors
West Monroe
The Westchester Foundation
Elizabeth and Craig Wilding
$2,000 - $4,999
Nan Arnold and Linda Wiland
Abbott-IPCO, Inc.
Sara and Gary Ahr
Joyce Alban
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. - Alpha Xi
Omega Chapter
Ameriprise Financial
Deanna and Thaddeus Arroyo
Barbara and Mark Ashworth
Athletico Physical Therapy
Barbara and Don Averitt
William R. Babl
Sharon and Maurice Ballew
Pam Barrett
Suzanne and Enrico Bartolucci
Mary Kathryn Bass
Ready and John Bateman
BDO USA
Nell Beck
Jill Bee and Dr. Loren Glasser
Barbara and Bill Benac
Carolyn and Gary Bender
Belle and Don Berg
Alesia and Jason Bess
Nancy and Randy Best
Leland Manning and Eleanor Beuerman
Beyond the Box
Big Thought
Lucy and Henry Billingsley
Leigh and Keith Birdsong
Kathy Bishop
Cheryl Bitner
Margaret and Charles Black
Linda and Steven Blasnik
Kathleen and Bob Bogutski
Tracy and Doug Bradley
Jennifer and Jeffrey Bridges
Christina and Frank Brinegar
Brianna and Randy Brown
Mason Brown Family Foundation, Inc.
Catherine and Sarah Bruff
Karen and Win Bruning
Drs. Christine and George Buchanan
Barbara and Joe Buchman
Gabi and Will Buehring
Lucinda and Barry Buford
Dr. Sara and Dr. Jackie Burke
Calloway’s Nursery of Texas, Inc.
Patsy and Roger Camp
Connie and Kirk Campbell
Citi
Alice and Stan Coker
Christie Connell and Adam Pagano
Catherine A. Corrigan
Mary and Richard Covington
Sharon and Mac Cravy
Betty and Carter Creech
Lorna Crocker and Donald Spies
Patricia Crocker
Elizabeth and Carl Cross
Carol Crowe and David Christal
Betsy and Thomas Curnes
Jan and Tom Daulton
Nancy Dedman
Cynthia and John DiPonio
Judy Dodson
Laurie and Doug Dotter
Judy Dryden
Dummen Orange
Deb and Gordie Echtenkamp
The Priscilla Endicott Charitable Foundation
Paddy and Barry Epstein
Alice and Ed Esquivel
Trisha and Carl Ewert
Charles Foster and William Maina
Kristi and Jeff Foster
Caroline and Daniel Wray Fox
Amanda and Mark Francis
Rod Franz
The Freeman Company
Frost Bank
Kay and Duncan Fulton
Phyllis and Larry Futerfas
Gaedeke Group
Joyce Gastler
Susan and Mark Geyer
Judy and Jim Gibbs
Kathryn Gilman
Kelly and Paul Gittemeier
Jill Powell-Goldberg and Bruce Goldberg
Margaret and Wade Goodrich
Pagett and Mike Gosslee
Linda and Bruce Graham
Lyndsey and Davinder Grover
Cameron and Jay Gummer
Paulette and Mike Haggerty
Gail Ewing Hall
Jennie and Stephen Hargrove
Harmony Plumbing & Drain Cleaning
Michelle and Tom Harris
Dee Hearn
Jan and Fred Hegi
Marna Helland and Jim Warren
Carol Heller
Kathy and Larry Helm
Suzanne and James Henry
Ken Hersh
MaryCarol Hicks
Amanda and Erik Hill
Garnett and Michael Holmes
Elizabeth and Richard Hovas
Nancy and Stephen Howard
Julie and Frank Hubach
Rick Hubbard
Carol and Bill Huckin
Linda and Allen Huffhines
Mark Hutchinson
IRRI TECH, LLC
JCW Real Estate Group
Emily A. Jefferson
Cele Johnsen
Francie and Lance Johnsen
Elisabeth W. Johnson
Ruth and Laird Johnson
Clint Josey
Cindy and Kurt Kalkomey
Carol and Bill Kelley
Ellen Key and Silvia Key
Charlotte and John Kimberlin
Kathleen and Scott Kirby
Kathy and Kevin Korioth
Melody Kramer
Pamela Krueger and Nancy Shelton
Patty and Joe Laakman
Charlene and Rodney Lake
Felise and Harold Leidner
Barbara Thomas Lemmon
Thomas and Sheila Leslie
Lifeblue
Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson LLP
Lira Bravo Law, LLC
Heidi Loewinsohn
Lisbeth Minyard Lokey
Robbi Luxbacher and Steve Alaniz
Sharon Lyle and Mark Mutschink
Mandy Mahoney-Eakin and Brad Eakin
Stacey and Ken Malcolmson
Eleanor and Leland Manning
Mary and Howard Manning
Charlene Marsh
Sara and David Martineau
Nan and Mark Matson
Jane McConnell
Gayle and Bryan McCrory
Billie and Ross McKnight
Carmen C. McMillan
Blythe and Jerry McPhail
Ellen McStay
Monica Miranda and Brian Mercer
Astrid Merriman
Lisa and Steve Meyer
Dianne and Glynne Mildren
Retta Miller
Sherry and Jim Minczewski
Joyce and Harvey Mitchell
Alison and Richard Moore
Dawn and Steve Moore
Lisa and Randy Muck
Lisa and Brian Murphy
Ruth O’Donnell Mutch
Pauline and Austin Neuhoff
Ann and Dan Noble
Robin Moss Norcross
Cecilia and Tim Norwood
Dr. Elizabeth Odstrcil
Olmsted-Taylor Foundation
Margaret and Casey Olson
Jacqueline and Josh Pack
Michael Parsons
Dan E. Patterson
Pam Pendleton
Nancy Perot
Linda and Edward Perrin
Vicki and Warren Petersen
Jane Pierce
Paige Pollack and Kristofer Barrera
Poole Family Foundation
Pam and Brad Porter
Michal Powell
Cheri and Lev Prichard
Prosperity Bank
Proven Winners North America LLC
Lisa and Mario Quintanilla
Holly Reed
Reyes Texas, Inc.
Kathleen and John Rindt
Ritz Family Foundation
LaurieGrace and Amy Roberts
Carla and Scott Robinson
Linda and Joel Robuck
Laura and Dave Rosen
Annadele Ross
Marty and Mary Lynn Rumble
Jennifer and Alvaro Saenz
Sallie A. Scanlan
Elaine and Allen Schneider
Diane and John Scovell
Jane Shea and William Struckell
Priscilla and Steve Shellenberger
SHM Architects
Priority Trees and Shrubs
Nancy Shutt
Lisa K. Simmons
Katherine Smethie
Jane Smith
Madeleine and Doug Smith
Marilyn Smith
Gay and Bill Solomon
Southwest Wholesale Nursery
Cissie Sparkman
Barbara Spigel
Linda and Frank Spina
Jane Stone
Ann Stuart, Ph.D.
Marie and Doug Sudberry
Tracy and Randy Sutherlin
Gloria and George Tarpley
Blanche Mary Taxis Foundation
Mary and Joseph Taylor
Kris and Tim Terry
Bill Thursby
Carolyn B. Tilley
Cindy and Ed Timms
Cheri and Dudley Tramel
United Healthcare
Sherrie and Anthony Varrichio
Kim Vaughan
Rosemary Haggar Vaughan Family Foundation
Lori and AJ Veitch
Vaughn Vennerberg
Stephanie and Dan Walker
Mills and John Walter
Melissa and Kellan Warren
Sandy and Steve Watson
Katie and Bill Weaver
Karen and Gunther Weisbrich
Jan and Gerry Worrall
Norma Jean and Gerald Worrall
Charnette and John Young
*deceased
These are contributions over $2,000 that do not include gifts made for capital projects or endowments.
Please scan to learn more and to donate.
Your Dream Wedding Awaits
MAUREEN GUTIERREZ Associate Vice President Sales & Special Events
Dallas Arboretum
Whether you’re planning an intimate family ceremony or a reception for 500, the Dallas Arboretum offers unforgettable venues for your special day. The experts agree that the Arboretum’s gorgeous 66 acres are the perfect backdrop to say, “I do.” The American Association of Certified Wedding Planners has named the Dallas Arboretum a “Favorite Ceremony Site,” and Brides magazine awarded it the “Best Wedding Venue Overall.”
With a wide variety of outdoor and indoor options, the Arboretum is the most versatile wedding venue in Dallas. Colorful seasonal plantings, expansive lawns, and lake and downtown views create backdrops for magnificent photography. Our professional events team helps plan the perfect day with love in every detail.
• 18 ceremony locations
• 5 reception locations
• Food and beverage tables
• Guest tables and seating
• Single point-of-contact sales manager
For more information or to schedule a tour, please contact us at weddings@dallasarboretum.org or call 214-515-6569.
Experience Spring & Summer Fun at the Dallas Arboretum
18–20, 25–27 Garden Chef Series, with Chef Madison Larmeu, Tasting Pavilion, 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 1 p.m.
18, 25 Learn to Grow, hands-on sessions about plants and gardening, Tasting Pavilion, 2–3 p.m.
21, 28 Dallas College Cooks, dish demonstrations with Chef Daniel Alvarenga, A Tasteful Place, 11 a.m.–12 p.m.
26, 27 Artscape presented by Bank of Texas, a juried fine art and craft event, Jonsson Color Garden 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
MAY
2–4, 9–11, 16–18, 23–25, 30, 31 Garden Chef Series, with Chef Madison Larmeu, Tasting Pavilion, 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 1 p.m.
2, 9, 16, 23, 30 Learn to Grow, hands-on sessions about plants and gardening, Tasting Pavilion, 2–3 p.m.
3, 4 Black Heritage Celebration, presented by Bank of America, a full garden experience, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
5, 12, 19, 26 Dallas College Cooks, dish demonstrations with Chef Daniel Alvarenga, A Tasteful Place, 11 a.m.–12 p.m. 10, 11 Cultivate Series Cactus Show & Sale, near Crossing Paths sculpture, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
24–26 Family Fun Weekend presented by Primrose Schools in Dallas-Fort Worth, Country Critters Petting Zoo (9 a.m.–1 p.m.) and Kindermusik (10–10:30 a.m.), Pecan Grove
31 Tomato Jam, a celebration of our favorite summer fruit
JUNE
1, 6–8, 13–15, 20–22, 27–29 Garden Chef Series, with Chef Madison Larmeu, Tasting Pavilion, 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 1 p.m.
2, 9, 16, 23, 30 Dallas College Cooks, dish demonstrations with Chef Daniel Alvarenga, A Tasteful Place, 11 a.m.–12 p.m.
6, 13, 20, 27 Learn to Grow, hands-on sessions about plants and gardening, A Tasteful Place, Tasting Pavilion, 2–3 p.m.
13–15 Summer Artscape presented by Bank of Texas, a juried fine art and craft event, Jonsson Color Garden 9 a.m.–5 p.m. 14–15, 19 Family Fun Weekend presented by Primrose Schools in Dallas-Fort Worth, Country Critters Petting Zoo (9 a.m.–1 p.m.) and Kindermusik (10–10:30 a.m.), Pecan Grove
21 Pride in Bloom, a full garden experience featuring evening entertainment, 9 a.m.–9 p.m.
JULY
4–6, 11–13, 18–20, 25–27 Garden Chef Series, with Chef Madison Larmeu, Tasting Pavilion, 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 1 p.m.
4, 11, 18, 25 Learn to Grow, hands-on sessions about plants and gardening, Tasting Pavilion, 2–3 p.m.
4–6 Family Fun Weekend presented by Primrose Schools in Dallas-Fort Worth, Country Critters Petting Zoo (9 a.m.–1 p.m.) and Kindermusik (10–10:30 a.m.), Pecan Grove
7, 14, 21, 28 Dallas College Cooks, dish demonstrations with Chef Daniel Alvarenga, A Tasteful Place, 11 a.m.–12 p.m.
11–13 Cultivate Series House Plant Show & Sale, A Tasteful Place, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
29 Creative Arts Series: Acrylic Painting Basics, featuring Monet’s Water Lilies, 6–8 p.m.
