Past Exhibits

An exhibition of three-dimensional masks by artist Gwynn Popovac. Each intricate mask blended textures, shapes and hues of natural habitats, including deserts, wetlands and tide pools. The mixed media pieces incorporated a variety of man-made and found objects such as wire, plaster, beads, fabric and stones.

Known for his ambitious architectural installations around the world, Dale Chihuly enriched the Garden trails with his striking signature blown glass. The pieces had a magical presence amid the desert plants and transformed a beautiful evening experience at the Garden with vibrantly lit sculpture throughout.

A living art installation of plants and flowers by Arizona artist Mayme Kratz. The spring blooming exhibition invited visitors to connect with the wonder and beauty of desert gardens. Dynamic creations of organic material suspended in resin were on display in Ottosen Gallery.

World-renowned artist Patrick Dougherty transformed hundreds of willow branches into magnificent whirling, animated sculptures on the Harriet K. Maxwell Desert Wildflower Trail. The environmental sculpture installations were interactive and designed to ignite a childlike imagination in each viewer.

This exhibition featured life-size bronze sculptures throughout the Garden by one of Spain’s foremost living contemporary artists, Manolo Valdés. Valdés’ work is exhibited around the world, and Desert Botanical Garden was the premiere West Coast venue for his monumental sculpture.

Don’t miss this living exhibit that features more than a thousand free-flying Southwestern butterflies.

Desert Botanical Garden is embarking on a new partnership with London-based pioneering artist studio ScanLAB Projects, bringing its groundbreaking visual and technical artwork here in 2025. The exhibit will be a first-of-its-kind in the Valley to connect science and nature at this scale in both indoor and outdoor environments.