Art Outdoors: 5 Creative Adventures

Photo: Rob Cardillo

This summer at Morris Arboretum we've adopted the theme of Art & Architecture in the Garden with a wide range of experiences with a creative flair. From an iconic-architecture-filled garden railway display, to a towering stickwork sculpture from world-renown artist Patrick Dougherty. But we're not the only ones taking the creativity to the great outdoors. Here's our round-up of our favorite places to experience art and nature in greater Philadelphia:

1. Patrick Dougherty's A Waltz in the Woods at Morris Arboretum
   On-going; free with garden admission.
   Come explore the seven “towers” of this unique creation, each roughly 30 feet high, through which visitors may roam. Open windows create an airy feel, and opposing doors allow for travel between the towers. Learn More
2. Sculpture Zoo at Rittenhouse Square
   Saturday, August 8, 10:00am - 1:00pm; free.
   Sculpture comes to life in Rittenhouse Square! This free family-friendly event will host live animals, sculpture-making workshops and demonstrations, and sculpture tours. Learn More
   
3. Philadelphia Museum's Inside Out Exhibition
   On-going through mid-November 2015; free.
   The PMA is taking its collection outdoors this summer, placing 60 replicas of Museum masterpieces around greater Philadelphia. Check out the list of participating locations and see how many you can spot. Bonus: Participating zip codes receive free admission to the PMA October 16-18. Details Here
4. Open Source from the Mural Arts Program
   In progress, opening October 2.
   Thanks to the City of Philadelphia's Mural Arts Program, the city has been dubbed The World's Largest Art Gallery. While walking the streets this summer, keep your eyes open for a range of new works, part of the Open Source exhibition. Formally opening October 2 at the Bok Building. Learn More
   
5. Museum Without Walls’ Outdoor Sculpture Bike Map
   On-going; free.
   Exercise, art, and fresh air? The folks at the Museum Without Walls have combined all three through their fantastic Outdoor Sculpture Bike Map. Cycle to all 18 works of art (10 miles) or take a leisurely 4 mile route to see 6 sculptures. Get the Map

Deep in the Weeds, Photography by Rob Cardillo

If you haven't stopped by the Visitor Center in a while, there is a striking new addition to the Upper Gallery you won't want to miss. Deep in the Weeds is a colorful, vibrant exhibit from Philadelphia photographer, Rob Cardillo.

Like people, plants are prone to mingling. Reaching for the sun, embracing tendrils, crossing stems, they're woven into tapestries of shifting textures and colors. In roadside weed patches, native plant communities and even well-tended garden beds, Rob Cardillo has framed nuanced gestures between twig and leaf, petal and pod, creating layered images with a photosynthetic pulse. Through his lens, we see abstract beauty in the interplay of shapes, color and light, yet the images remain fully grounded and invite us to commune with nature's silent social network.

Rob Cardillo has professionally photographed plants, gardens and the people that tend them for over twenty years.  His work appears regularly in Horticulture, Country Gardens, Organic Gardening, The New York Times and many other magazines, books and advertisements. To see Rob Cardillo’s work visit www.robcardillo.com. 

Deep in the Weeds, photography by Rob Cardillo
On display beginning February 3 -  Opening Reception March 17, 1:00 - 3:00pm
Located in the Upper Gallery at Widener Visitor Center
Free with admission.