Color, Texture, Design - Art in a Botanical Garden

 Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens

Does the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens constitute an art exhibition?  If you had asked me before I began my journey to New England art museums to explore a wide variety of displayed art, I would have said no.  However, having developed a broader appreciation of art in a variety of formats, I believe the case can be made that the creators and the ongoing and changing exhibitions at the Botanical Gardens constitute an art installation.

The history of this special place is unusual.  A group of Maine residents conceived the idea for a botanical garden in Boothbay Maine.  In 1996 they purchased 128 acres with funds generated in many cases by loans against the founders' homes.  After some 16 years in planning, digging and planting, the Gardens were opened to the public in 2007. 

Since opening to the public, some 100,000 visitors have toured this outdoor museum - enjoying a variety of environments including  the Lerner Garden of the Five Sense, The Rose & Perennial Garden, The Bosarge Family Education Center, The Bibby and Harold Alfond Children's Garden, The Fairy Garden, The Giles Rhododendron Garden as well as The Vayo Mediation Garden.  

This map gives an indication of the scope of this botanical wonderland,

while the following pictures hint at the case that a group of unique artists using land, flowers, stone and water have created a living work of art for all to enjoy.