Lauritzen Gardens' new exhibit, Floral Fusion is a mix of garden and glass.
Michigan artist Craig Mitchell Smith made 32 pieces for the exhibit, many of them one of a kind for Lauritzen. For example, an anthurium sculpture made from clippings from plants in the conservatory that were used as molds for this piece. Another rain installation includes a string off one hundred water droplets that hang 40 foot from the ceiling.
"Things like our state flower, the golden rod, adds a really nice pop of yellow into the tropical house of the conservatory," said Mia Jenkins, director of Marketing for Lauritzen Gardens.
The glass is fused, sometimes thrown into the kiln seven or more times to get all of the different layers of details, veins on a leaf, spots on a butterfly. It's an indoor option for those rainy spring days.
Lauritzen is also adding a special a night element. On Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday nights, the exhibit is open with special lighting. The colors glow through the greenhouse panels. Whether you visit day or night, the hardest part will be picking a favorite.
The exhibit runs through April 19th. Admission is included with paid garden admission ($10 adults, $5 children 6-12, free for garden members and children under six.)
