Return to RSABG

On our way to the art reception on Saturday, we had to stop and re-admire the wildflowers that we saw a few weeks ago on the garden tour, especially since many more are in bloom. 

This picture was taken on  April 6.

So many more colors have exploded in the same spot since then.

Last time we missed the Chevy fly, so we had a chance to look at it this time.

Arboretum

When the Claremont Art Museum closed its physical doors, it did not cease to exist. Last night we attended a Claremont Art Museum event - the opening reception of a show at the Rancho Santa Ana Botanical Garden - Steve Comba: Arboretum. I believe this is the first art show in a new gallery space in the main administrative building. The space is one room, and this 8-foot painting titled Arboretum fills one of the walls. It took 8 months to complete this work, but years to gather the inspiration. He has envisioned "a line of trees" for many years, and this is the final work, completed in 2011. 

On the opposite wall pieces of years of inspiration for this work give the viewer a glimpse into the artist's mind, although I told Steve that I thought his mind looked too organized....

I asked Steve if the red spot on this cactus was an owl, and he said that he did not make it an owl, but it could be an owl in my perspective.

RSABG Exhibits

This year's Garden Tour, a CUCC fundraiser, started out at the Rancho Santa Ana Botanical Garden. Even though I have been through the garden on countless occasions, there seems to be something new every season, so we had to check out the new sculptures, the wildflowers, as well as the fabulous exhibit in the container garden. Here are some of my favorite shots.

Claremont Folk Festival

I cannot believe that I have lived in Claremont for 27 years, and I have never before been to the Claremont Folk Festival. Thankfully, I rectified that on Saturday when I attended the festival for the first time. It was also the first time that the festival was held at the Rancho Santa Ana Botanical Gardens. What a perfect venue for such a great event. I will be sure to go again.

For the uninitiated, the all-day festival features lots and lots of live music with two stages going. There are workshops from folk singing, drumming, ukulele, songwriting, didgeridoo, and arts. Various vendors sell interesting items and local food vendors have eats and drinks (including Claremont Craft Ales and Dale Brothers).

Here is Peter Harper playing at the Lily Pond Stage (plenty of shade for the audience).

 Here is a mosaic in process at the mosaic-making workshop.

People were enjoying monotype printing.

Kids were enjoying a puppet show.

Here is a "quilt" where people have written the name of a special song on an index card.

You could buy cool banjos and cigar-box ukuleles.

Many people were carrying around their own ukes.

Food vendors

Here is Moira Smiley and VOCO on the main stage. I really, really enjoyed this performance and came home to look them up on the internet. They have a TEDx talk that you can see here.

This group, Fivacious, was supposed to have a spot on one of the stages, but something went wrong, so they were strolling around the gardens and singing in various spots. I stopped for a listen, and they gave out CDs when they were done. They are a family of 5 siblings singing a capella gospel.

Bugs in the Garden

One of the fun things about the RSABG right now are the giant bugs!  This traveling exhibit by artist David Rogers has been in the garden since May and will only be here until July 15.  I had seen photos of these in various places, but it was more fun to visit them in person.  This makes me think that some local artists ought to make some more permanent sculptures to grace the gardens to enjoy for many years.

Ants marching two by two...

Ladybug

Dragonfly

Wedding in the Garden

It's been a whirlwind weekend with many events!  Undoubtedly the most elegant event was the wedding we attended Saturday at Rancho Santa Ana Botanical Garden.  I've been to one other wedding there (blog post about that one here), and I'll have to say it makes a fabulous venue.  The catering by Gourmet Gourmet was delicious, the staff of the garden friendly and helpful, and the beauty of the gardens agreed so well with the perfect weather.

I got to reconnect with friends, some of whom I have not seen in a long time and came home quite content.

Appetizers

Table setting for dinner

Need a Place for a Wedding?

On Saturday my string trio played a wedding held at the Rancho Santa Ana Botanical Garden, a place I've strolled through many times. It had never occurred to me that one could have a wedding here, but it was a beautiful setting. The Garden has staff on hand to bring people up from the parking lot on trolleys. This particular ceremony took place in the California Natives Container Garden. Upon chatting with some staff, I found out that information on rentals are on the RSABG website.

Photo on the Web

Last night I heard a message from the Botanical Garden on my answering machine. Ann in visitor services found this blog and saw the pictures I had posted from last week's visit. They would like to post this particular photo on the new version of their website (forthcoming). Scroll down and click on the second comment on last Friday's entry.