Past Exhibits

Captivating portraits of nature by celebrated artist Laszlo Layton. This exhibition featured cyanotype photographs of fascinating animals and objects that evoke charm and curiosity. The cyanotype, also known as the “blueprint,” is created with a simple chemical solution that forms a light-sensitive emulsion known for its cyan-blue color. Layton hand-paints each photograph, giving his subjects a vivid, lifelike enchantment.

Desert Botanical Garden presented new works by world-renowned artists Philip and Matt Moulthrop. Woodturning has been a Moulthrop family legacy for three generations and their pieces are immediately recognizable by their distinct contemporary forms. This exhibition featured a collection of turned wood that revealed the inherent beauty of trees and shrubs native to Arizona with wood collected by Desert Botanical Garden sources.

Photo by: Adam Rodriguez

Gyotaku impressions of fish from Arizona canals, rivers, lakes and ponds by Dr. Joe McAuliffe. Dr. McAuliffe held the position of Director of Research, Conservation, and Collections from 1990 through 2017 and is most notably recognized for his research in desert ecology. Fish Out of Water celebrated the water that sustains present-day societies in Arizona, with a specific focus on fish found in the Salt River and Crosscut Canals.

Photo by: Adam Rodriguez

Artist Dale Chihuly returned to Desert Botanical Garden with a stunning exhibition of his extraordinary and vibrant works of art. Chihuly is credited with revolutionizing the Studio Glass movement and elevating the perception of the glass medium from craft to fine art. Each site-specific installation enhanced the natural beauty of the Garden and excited hundreds of thousands of visitors from around the world.

Philip Haas’ monumental, earthy and exuberant sculptures were inspired by Italian Renaissance artist Giuseppe Arcimboldo’s painting series The Four Seasons. These whimsical renditions of Arcimboldo’s portraits were puzzle-like sculptures composed of fruits, vegetables, flowers and other natural objects.
Photo by: Adam Rodriguez

Dorrance Center was transformed into a large-scale exhibition that brought together international product design and the natural environment, and ignited powerful questions about our choices of materials and production practices. Each design was inspired by nature and sustainable choices, and explored unique substances, including chicle latex, salmon leather, and vegetable ivory, seeking to illuminate the complexity and vitality of materials at their source.

The Leaf  Connection showcases the vibrant plant diversity of the Phoenix metro area through an intricate display of hand-made, ceramic leaves at Webster Center. With more than 1,000 ceramic pieces, each leaf’s design is influenced by observations community scientists record on iNaturalist, an established online platform where nature lovers share information on biodiversity.

Cactus Clubhouse is a fun and immersive nature play space for kids 12 and younger. Kids can engage in activities that spark their curiosity for nature and encourage exploration.