Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Daffodil Day - April 10th

Daffodil Day at the Reeves-Reed Arboretum is April 10th and less than two weeks away! We in Northeastern USA are very anxious for spring. We have had an unusually brutal winter with snow still on the ground and have yet to put away our winter wear. That said, spring is ever faithful and will not disappoint us. At the Reeves-Reed Arboretum in Summit, NJ the daffodils are on track to make their annual event not one to miss! Come join us April 10th (1-4pm).

Reeves-Reed Arboretum view of the Wisner House from the Daffodil Bowl

About the Daffodil Bowl
The  Arboretum’s paved serpentine walk overlooks a roll of land ending in a glacial bowl that each year hosts over 30,000 daffodils blooming sequentially throughout April in this naturalized setting. The bowl or kettle is a depression that remained after the Wisconsin glacier retreated some 17,000 years ago. The Wisner’s (first owners) planted daffodils on the property, but when the Reeves purchased The Clearing (name of the property before it became Reeves-Reed Arboretum) in 1916, it was Susie Reeves who expanded the collection. The daffodils constitute the first major spring display that prompts the steady flow of visitors throughout the Arboretum growing season.
Information adapted  from The Clearing on the Hill – The Story of Reeves-Reed Arboretum by Betty McAndrews

Daffodil Day -- April 10th (1-4 pm)
Over 40,000 daffodils
·  Performance by the Oak Knoll Ensemble
·  Container Gardening with herbs and tea sampling in the Herb Garden
·  Crafts, Victorian games and pony cart rides for children
·  Hat parade
·  Refreshments at the new Tea Rose CafĂ©
·  Photos by Bruce Lorenz among the daffodils

"Impressions of a Garden," solo exhibition by Lisa Palombo -- March 10th- May12th

Reeves-Reed Arboretum 165 Hobart Ave. Summit, NJ  www.reeves-reedarboretum.org

Monday, March 21, 2011

"Women Impressionists and Myself"

In honor of  Women's History Month, yesterday I presented, "Women Impressionists & Myself" at the Reeves Reed Arboretum, Summit, NJ.  My lecture coincides with my solo exhibition, "Impressions of a Garden."  I don't often have an opportunity to speak in a public venue about the Grande Dames of Impressionism and how they continue to inspired me, so this was a real treat! 

The Four women considered the center of the Impressionist movement of the late 1800’s are Berthe Morisot, Mary Cassatt, Eva Gonzales, and  Marie Bracquemond. Not only did these women have to over come a new movement , Impressionism, but they had to overcome being a woman and all that it meant at that time. 

"Sleepy Baby" (c) Mary Cassatt 1910
 























In this beginning of a new century where modern woman artists are an equal force to the men gender in the art world, the example of Mary Cassatt who insisted on painting women as subjects and not objects remains highly significant. The most charming part of Cassatt's story was her profound dedication to her work. Despite prejudices against female painters she still had the perseverance to realize her life's ambition of being an artist. This paved the way for the prominence of female artists in the 20th Century and to present day.

"Impressions of a Garden" will be on view at the Wisner House till May 8th, 2001. 

Mark your calendars for Daffodil Day, April 10th.. Reeves Reed Arboretum




"A Penny For Your Thoughts" oil on linen 5" x 7" (c) Lisa Palombo