To celebrate the May opening of our NEW, Japanese-inspired “Island Garden”, a generous gift from Don and Jurate Krabill, Wellfield Botanic Gardens is dedicating 2020 to highlighting Japanese culture and its many artistic contributions to the world through a series of special events, drop-in activities, and class offerings. We call this year 季節 Kisetsu: The Year of the Island Garden 2020. In addition to specially-themed events, Wellfield also welcomes OrigamiintheGarden2 (OiG2), presented by the Community Foundation of Elkhart County. OiG2 is a traveling art installation featuring 21 unique sculpture pieces creating 17 unique displays around Wellfield’s 36 acres. OiG2 will be on display May 2 through October 25, don’t miss it!
季節 “Kisetsu” translates from Japanese to ‘season’ or ‘time of year’. Each of our four seasonal shows (Spring Splendor, Sensational Summer, Fabulous Fall, and Winter Wonderland) speaks to the elements of seasonality and the Japanese concept of mono no aware, a sensitivity to the ephemeral or impermanence of all things.
Here’s what’s coming up:
Hanami Festival
Saturday, April 18, 12-3 p.m.
Hanami (花見, “flower viewing”) is the Japanese traditional custom of enjoying the transient beauty of flowers; flowers (“hana”) are in this case almost always referring to those of the cherry (“sakura”) or, less frequently, plum (“ume”) trees. From the end of March to early May, cherry trees bloom all over Japan. The blossom forecast (桜前線, sakura-zensen) “cherry blossom front” is announced each year by the weather bureau, and is watched carefully by those planning hanami as the blossoms only last a week or two!
In modern-day Japan, hanami mostly consists of having an outdoor party beneath the sakura during daytime or at night. In some contexts the Sino-Japanese term kan’ō (観桜, view-cherry) is used instead, particularly for festivals. Hanami at night is called yozakura (夜桜) “night sakura”.
STAY TUNED FOR DETAILS of Wellfield’s Hanami Festival!
All event activities are included with paid admission or membership.
May 2-October 25 Presented by the Community Foundation of Elkhart County
CLICK HERE for exhibit details
Children’s Day
Tuesday, May 5, 12-3 p.m.
Children’s Day (こどもの日, Kodomo no Hi) is a Japanese national holiday which takes place annually on May 5. It is a day set aside to respect children’s personalities and to celebrate their happiness. It was designated a national holiday by the Japanese government in 1948. It has been a day of celebration in Japan since ancient times.
盆栽 Bonsai Show
Saturday, June 6, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Celebrate the Japanese art of bonsai (tree in a pot or ‘tray planting’). Explore a gallery of different bonsai styles, trained tree miniature versions of the natural form. Learn from expert artists including Pauline Muth, Mark Fields, and Jennifer Price. Enjoy ongoing demonstrations, bonsai critiques, seminars, and children’s take-away activities free with membership or standard admission. Shop for supplies at vendor tables. Register and experience a Bonsai 101 Workhop and come away with your very own bonsai!
An Evening with Kendall Brown
Wednesday, August 5, 6:30-9 p.m.
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