Descanso Gardens: Portraits of the Garden

Descanso Gardens is an urban botanical garden in Southern California spanning 160 acres with year-round natural beauty, internationally renowned botanical collections, and seasonal horticultural displays. The Sturt Haaga Gallery, located at Descanso Gardens, is open Tuesdays through Sundays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with free admission included with Gardens admission.

"Portraits of the Garden" is an invitational and juried exhibition examining Descanso Gardens as a subject for artists and the nature of the concept of "portrait." The exhibition will address how this physical gathering place is significant, relevant and in evolution, and how one makes a portrait today. Any genre and style is admissible, but artworks must go beyond purely descriptive representation. Works can be representational, metaphorical, or abstract, but must demonstrate a decisive and poetic interpretation of Descanso Gardens and its environs. The exhibition will be presented salon-style in the third and largest space at the Sturt Haaga Gallery.

Eligibility is open to all artists making work with specific reference to gardens, with priority given to work specifically regarding Descanso Gardens. Full-time student work is not acceptable. Entry fee is $60.00 (Descanso Gardens members receive a 75 percent discount; contact the Membership Office at (818) 952-4390 for details). Submit 1-3 images of original work. All work must be original, designed and created by the artist applicant, and ready for exhibition. All 2D and low relief media will be considered; most selected works will be wall mounted, though limited space exists for 3D pedestal-mounted works. All 2D and low relief work less than 24" x 36" x 6" (deep) will receive priority, as will 3D work 24" x 24" x 12" (height). Video or digital work must be accompanied by a suitable wall-mountable monitor that can play DVDs or computer files from a thumb drive; sound may be experienced only with headphones. All artwork must remain on display for the duration of the exhibition. Artists are responsible for transportation of artwork to and from the Gardens. Works will be juried by a panel of 4 jurors from the greater Los Angeles area with expertise in the visual arts; their decision is final.