Coming This Fall:
Mounts Botanical Garden of Palm Beach County will
Leap into a Year of Nature, Art, & Science with
Ribbit the Exhibit II
Featuring 18 Larger-than-Life Whimsical Frog Sculptures
November 23, 2024—May 25, 2025
(West Palm Beach, FL – October 3, 2024) Friends of the Mounts Botanical Garden is bringing back by popular demand—the fun and family-friendly:
Ribbit the Exhibit II
November 23 through May 25
“Under the theme of Leap into Nature, Art & Science, Mounts Botanical Garden is planning a year of inspirational programming for all ages, launching this fall with the return of Ribbit, 18-larger-than-life, thoughtfully crafted, and whimsically inspired sculptures by artist Andy Cobb,” says Mounts Interim Director Misty Stoller. “Best of all, almost all of the super-sized sculptures will be new to Mounts and were not part of the original exhibition in early 2020.”
“The 18 lovable, hand-crafted frog sculptures will be displayed throughout Mounts, providing a captivating window into the fascinating world of amphibians and their profound impact on our ecology,” she adds.
During Ribbit the Exhibit II, Garden visitors can immerse themselves in a whimsical art experience where nature, art, and science converge harmoniously while discovering how these seemingly small creatures play a crucial role in the delicate balance of ecosystems and the interconnectedness that sustains the natural world.
Each frog sculpture is welded by hand and colored with a natural patina.
Inspirational and educational programming during this exhibit will include Family Days, with activities for children; fun and informative presentations by experts; wetlands ecology and environmental workshops; and “Frogtastic” educational programs. Some of the season highlights include:
Nov. 23, 2024 – Ribbit the Exhibit ll Grand Opening Family Day
Arts and crafts activities, presentations, live entertainment, food trucks, and more!
Dec. 7, 2024 – Hidden Wild with filmmaker Benji Studt of Palm Beach County Department of Environmental Resources Management
Dec. 8 – Tiny Trees, Big Cheer: Succulent Workshop with Volunteer and Artist Michael Spencer
Dec. 14, 2024 – Plants on the Edge – Littoral Zone Tour & Presentation with UF/IFAS Agent Kara Krueger
Dec. 21, 2024 – Handcrafted Gifts: Create a Frog House & Floral Frogs with Mounts Botanical Garden’s April Krebs and Artist Marilyn Walter
Jan. 14, 2025 – Vegetable Gardening Maintenance in South Florida: Taking Care of Your Garden with Volunteer and Master Gardener Phil Bilger
Jan. 18, 2025 – For the Love of Bees Honey Tasting and Presentation with Joanna Diamond
Jan. 24, 2025 – Hidden Gems Tour with Mounts Horticulturist Matthew Boyson
Jan. 25, 2025 – Terrarium as Art Therapy: Little Gems for Life with Health and Wellness Specialist Omar Ananais
Feb. 1, 2025 – Florida Wild! Presentation and book signing with Author Kirsten Hines,wildlife photographer, conservationist, and award-winning author of 8 books.
Feb. 9, 2025 – Special Presentation by botanizer, birder, and nature photographer CJ McCartney during the Plant-a-Palooza Winter Plant Sale
Feb. 8-9, 2025 – Dr. Steve Johnson from UF/IFAS Frog Presentation during the Plant-a-Palooza Winter Plant Sale
Feb. 15, 2025 – Tropical Aroids Presentation by Mounts Horticulturist Palmer Crippen
Feb. 22, 2025 – Edible Perennials with UF/IFAS Agent and Urban Horticulturist Emily Marois and UF/IFAS Agent and Horticulturist Kara Krueger
Mar. 1, 2025 – Pond Plants with UF/IFAS Agent and Horticulturist Kara Krueger
March 8, 2025 – Water Conservation Presentation with Dr. Kimberley Moore of UF/IFAS
Mar. 11, 2025 – Tropical Aroids of the Garden Tour with Mounts Horticulturist Palmer Crippen
Mar. 14, 2025 – From Cuttings to Roots: Propagate Like a Pro Propagation Workshop with Horticulturist Joel Crippen
Mar. 14, 2025 – Water and Ecosystems: Mitigating Climate Change Impacts and Fragmented Habitats Presentation at Ann Norton Sculpture Garden
April 2025 (National Frog Month)
Apr. 5, 2025 – Family Day – Arts and crafts activities, Green Cay Naturalists, live entertainment, food trucks, and more!
Apr. 12, 2025 – Dr. Brandon Guell, Wildlife Ecologist and Photographer from FIU Miami presentation and reception.
May 10, 2025 – Prescribed Fire, Reigniting the Spark with ERM Fire Specialist Harper Carroll
May 16, 2025 – Petals and Paradise; Plumeria Tour with Horticulturist Joel Crippen
May 25, 2025 – Last Day of Ribbit Exhibit – Family Day
Mounts Botanical Garden & Bloomberg Connects
Explore Anytime, Anywhere with New Mobile Garden Guide
Visitors can now explore Mounts Botanical Garden anytime from anywhere across the globe with the new Mobile Garden Guide. Launched in partnership with Bloomberg Connects, the free arts and cultural app created by Bloomberg Philanthropies, the guide is designed to elevate and enrich the visitor experience by making it easy to discover more of what people love before, during, and after they visit the Garden. Multi-media content includes maps and information on Mounts Botanical’s 25 display gardens, art in the garden, and current and upcoming exhibitions, as well as an ever-growing spectrum of new photo, audio, and video content available exclusively via the app. To learn more and download the app, visit www.mounts.org/mobile-garden-guide/
About Mounts Botanical Garden of Palm Beach County:
With a mission to inspire and educate through nature, Mounts Botanical Garden is Palm Beach County’s oldest and largest botanical garden. Visitors to this 20-acre tropical oasis will see an acclaimed collection of 25 unique garden areas containing more than 7,000 species of tropical and sub-tropical plants, including Florida natives, exotic and tropical fruit trees, herbs, palms, roses, cactus, bromeliads and much more. Mounts Botanical Garden is part of the Palm Beach County Cooperative Extension Department, in partnership with the University of Florida and the non-profit Friends of the Mounts Botanical Garden. This project is sponsored in part by The Board of County Commissioners, the Tourist Development Council, and the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County. Mounts Botanical is located at 531 North Military Trail in West Palm Beach. For more information, please visit www.mounts.org
Images:
(Photo Credit: Mounts Botanical Garden)
- Ribbit sculptor Andy Cobb and one of his whimsical frogs.
- Ribbit the Exhibit II – Watering Frog at Mounts