Scenery for the Greenery: New sculpture exhibit blooms at San Diego Botanic Garden in Encinitas

By Lonnie Burstein Hewitt

Leslie and Paul Wilton, aka Metalmorph, with ‘Roxy the Racing Ostrich,’ whose repurposed metal components include a horse yoke, brass vase, garden shears, bike parts and spoons.

Art curator Naomi Nussbaum (center) is flanked by San Diego Botanic Garden (SDBG) events manager Sam Beukema and SDBG executive director Julian Duval at the June 29 preview of the fourth annual Sculpture in the Garden.

Deanne Sabeck’s dichroic glass kinetic sculpture, ‘Spirale Belleza,’ moves with the wind, changes color as the light changes and casts colorful reflections on the surrounding plants.

Paul Henry with his found-redwood ‘Spirit Houses,’ inspired by traditional Thai pieces honoring ancestors

Nate and Ralyn Wolfstein, whose Sculpture Park graces the campus of Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla

To see all the Photos by Maurice Hewitt click this link to the La Jolla Light article

Any time of year is a good time to visit San Diego Botanic Garden (SDBG), but now is particularly inviting, with the recent installation of the fourth annual “Sculpture in the Garden” show, curated by art consultant Naomi Nussbaum.

Nussbaum, born in Zimbabwe, Africa, made Solana Beach her home more than 25 years ago, and has become a significant part of the local art community. Since 2011, she’s been assembling a variety of popular and lesser-known artists for the SDBG exhibit, putting out a call for participants a year in advance. Nussbaum favors San Diego-based sculptors, but always has room for a few extra-regional ones: three this year, from Seattle, New York and Los Angeles, were among the 34 chosen. In all, there are 47 works on display.
The garden itself is a beauty, boasting 37 acres filled with almost 4,000 types of plants from around the world. The sculptures, placed in appropriate settings throughout the garden, provide an added feast for the eyes.

At a June 29 preview of the exhibit, most of the artists were present, and happy to pose with their pieces, which will be on view through April 2015. A “Sculpture in the Garden” map, available at the entrance, makes self-guided tours easy, and a plaque near each piece gives additional information.

• Summertime Special: If you come on a Thursday afternoon, you can stay for one of the Family Fun Nights, special programs of music and entertainment, 4:30-8 p.m. through Aug. 28.
— IF YOU GO:
• San Diego Botanic Garden, 230 Quail Gardens Drive, Encinitas
• Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily (summer Thursdays until 8 p.m.)
• Admission: $8-$14 ($2 parking fee)
• (760) 436-3036
• SDBGarden.org