The Mounts Botanical Garden of Palm Beach County to Present Largest Exhibition in 30-Year History / Opening November 14, 2015
Nearly a Half-Million LEGOs will be Used on 15 Super-Sized Structures
(West Palm Beach, FL – August 10, 2015) The Friends of Mounts Botanical Garden today announced that Palm Beach County’s oldest and largest botanical garden would be opening the largest exhibition in its 30-year history:
NATURE CONNECTS
Art with LEGO® Bricks
Opening on Saturday, November 14, and running through mid-February, this dazzling, family-friendly exhibition has been a smash hit in every city in which it been presented. “LEGO exhibit connects humans with nature, learning with play,” headlined The San Antonio Express-News.
This new NATURE CONNECTS exhibit is making its Florida debut at Mounts and will feature 15 super-sized structures in 13 different displays made out of nearly a half-million LEGOs. Among the garden-themed items on display will be a birdbath with squirrel, Bonsai tree, girl with watering can, Monarch butterfly, corn spider, deer family, dragonfly, flowers, hummingbird, peacock, sea turtle, wheelbarrow and more.
The admission cost to attend the NATURE CONNECTS exhibit is only $10 for adults; $7 for seniors (65+), veterans and students (with valid IDs); $5 for children (3-12); and always FREE for Mounts members and children 2 and under. Individual Garden Tours led by a trained Master Gardener Docent is only $15. In addition, a variety of LEGO-themed collectibles will be available for purchase in the Mounts Gift Shop.
Generously underwritten by Presenting Sponsor Margaret Blume and Supporting Sponsors TD Bank, The Fortin Foundation of Florida, the Crawford-Taylor Foundation, MDH Printing, Florida Weekly and Palm Beach Broadcasting (WEAT, WRFM, WIRK & WFTL), the three-month NATURE CONNECTS exhibition will include several special events for people of all ages, including:
Connnecting with Nature Holiday Promotion
Children and teens from Palm Beach County are invited to create an original garden-themed holiday ornament made out of LEGOs, such as a flower, plant, insect, animal or gardening tool. The submitted ornaments can be dropped off at either the office or Gift Shop at Mounts Botanical Garden between October 1 and November 25, 2015.
The top 25 submitted ornaments, as determined by a special committee of Mounts supporters and staff, will be displayed at the Garden throughout the holiday season. The creator of the top ornament, as selected by the committee, will win a $500 mini-vacation at Crane’s Beach House Boutique Hotel & Luxury Villas in Delray Beach, including a $100 gift certificate for lunch or dinner at the nearby oceanfront restaurant Caffe Luna Rosa.
The five runners-up will all receive a free one-year Family & Friends membership at Mounts (value; $75 each).
The 25 finalists will be invited to hang their Connecting With Nature holiday ornaments at a special public event on Saturday, December 5, at 10 am at Mounts Botanical Garden.
LEGO Robotics with 4-H
On Monday, December 21, from 10 am to noon, students from Palm Beach County schools will provide a live demonstration and presentation on LEGO Robotics. Through this program, young people will develop knowledge and skills geared toward STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics), while exploring real world applications of technology.
Co-sponsored and in collaboration with the 4-H Robotics Program, this fun and informative workshop for designers and LEGO enthusiasts of all ages will be held in Exhibit Hall A at Mounts. The cost to attend is only $15 for Mounts members, $25 for nonmembers.
About NATURE CONNECTS Creator Sean Kenney
Sean Kenney is a renowned, award-winning artist and “professional kid” who uses LEGO pieces to design and create contemporary sculpture for high-profile clients, major corporations, and venues around the globe. The New York Times highlights Kenney’s work as the “artistic elite” of LEGO-building. He has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, BBC news, PBS Arts, ABC World News, HGTV, Wired, ELLE, and more. The creator of award-winning tour exhibits, Kenney also is the author of eight best-selling inspirational children’s books.
About The Mounts Botanical Garden of Palm Beach County:
With a mission to inspire the public, Mounts Botanical Garden is Palm Beach County’s oldest and largest botanical garden, offering gorgeous displays of tropical and sub-tropical plants, plus informative classes, workshops, and other fun-filled events. The Garden contains more than 2,000 species of plants, including Florida native plants, exotic and tropical fruit trees, herbs, palms, bromeliads and more. Mounts Botanical Garden is a facility of the Palm Beach County Extension Service, which is in partnership with the University of Florida and the Friends of Mounts Botanical Garden.
Located at 531 North Military Trail in West Palm Beach, The Mounts Botanical Garden of Palm Beach County is open Monday-Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. (Note: During the Nature Connects exhibition, Mounts will be closed on Mondays.) For more information, please call 561.233.1757 or visit www.mounts.org.