Smithsonian, US Botanic Gardens - Annual Orchid Exhibit 2024: Future, Conservation, Jan 27- April 28

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'Smithsonian Gardens To Present 28th Annual Orchid Exhibition,' Installation Includes Commissioned Works by Artist Phaan Howng and Explores Conservation Efforts, Jan. 10, 2024 News Release. - Ed. 🦋

Smithsonian Gardens and the U.S. Botanic Garden will present “The Future of Orchids: Conservation and Collaboration” from Jan. 27 through April 28, filling the entire Kogod Courtyard of the Smithsonian American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery with around 350 live orchids. The display will feature a series of newly commissioned and loaned works by contemporary multimedia artist, Phaan Howng, to help audiences visualize the future of orchids and be inspired to take action toward a sustainable future.

- 2023 Exhibition, 'Orchids: Hidden Stories of Groundbreaking Women.'

Centered around the themes of the future of orchids and orchid conservation, the exhibition will explore the numerous challenges facing wild orchids today, including climate change, habitat destruction and over-collecting, and offer a glimpse into the work being performed today by a diverse group of scientists and conservationists to protect the future of orchids. The exhibition will inspire visitors to take action to support orchid conservation and introduce young visitors to career opportunities in conservation.

Joy Columbus, director of Smithsonian Gardens said 'The Future of Orchids' exhibit celebrates the diversity of orchids, which, with an estimated 30,000 species, is one of the largest and most diverse families in the plant kingdom. With this immersive exhibit, visitors can check out their bright colors, showy patterns and unexpected forms, and maybe catch a smell of their wildly varying aromas too.” The exhibit will feature large-scale paintings and immersive installations that explore the complex relationships between humans and nature..

“It is a joy to continue this collaboration to spotlight the beauty of orchids, the challenges they face,” said Susan Pell, exec. director of the U.S. Botanic Garden. “Both of our institutions help conserve rare and endangered orchids.."

'The Future of Orchids' is the 28th annual collaboration between Smithsonian Gardens & the U.S. Botanic Garden. The exhibition was established to provide the public with the opportunity to learn about both institutions’ rich and biodiverse orchid collections. Public garden plant collections, like those managed by Smithsonian Gardens and the U.S. Botanic Garden, are vital conservation resources, offering species protection from habitat loss..
- About Smithsonian Gardens, - About U.S. Botanic Gardens.* To learn more visit gardens.si.edu and www.USBG.gov
Con't...https://www.si.edu/newsdesk/releases/smithsonian-gardens-present-28th-annual-orchid-exhibition

- From Smithsonian Gardens, 'What about Orchids Captivates You?'

- The Kogod Courtyard between the Smithsonian's American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery in downtown DC is a wonderful place to visit. We attended the 'Lincoln Ball' held here for President Obama's Inaugural in 2009, beautiful.