Friday, March 20, 2009

Art at Tohono Chul

Here is some of the garden art I found at Tohono Chul Park, a few miles west of Sabino Canyon. I spent a couple of hours at the park enjoying many sights, bird songs and floral fragrances in the gardens and along the meandering paths. There was so much to experience outdoors, I didn't even go inside the museum shop or art galleries.


Some of the sculptures I encountered were a bobcat and kittens, a giant sunflower, a cardinal, a spiny lizard, a javelina and a jack rabbit.

Click on any pictures to enlarge.

From Tohono Chul's website:
"The mission of Tohono Chul Park is to enrich people’s lives by providing them the opportunity to find peace and inspiration in a place of beauty, experience the wonders of the Sonoran Desert, and to gain knowledge of the natural and cultural heritage of this region."

These are some of the many fountains and water features at Tohono Chul Park. The wall behind the blue pot fountain in the Moorish garden has these quotes painted on it:

"Winter is an etching, Spring a watercolor, Summer an oil painting
and
Autumn a mosaic of them all."
--Stanley Horowitz

"Nature is not a place to visit, it is home."
--Gary Snyder

"A garden is made up of stories, not things."
--Unknown

Some of the architectural features in and around the Outdoor Living Garden

Demonstration Garden

Exhibit House

Here are some of the park's blooming flowers that I posted on March 17th. Next I will share some of the birds I found during my visit to Tohono Chul Park.

10 comments:

  1. What an incredible place to visit! I love the color of the wall in the Outdoor Living Garden, and fantastic photos..

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  2. What a neat place. We'll have to check it out next time we are in Tucson.

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  3. This looks like a wonderfully designed and thought-out place all round. Very inspiring. It must be a great experience being there.

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  4. I clicked on the link - it's one of the top ten in the US. I've said this before.... I've got to get down to Tucson more often! Thanks for posting this. It helps remind everyone that Arizona is not just about Phoenix.

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  5. What a wonderful park, Diane. And the way you showed it to us was so creative. Love the first set of the animals. That lizard looks like he doesn't want anyone near him!!!! ha..

    Thanks so much... Looks like a place I'd love to visit sometime.
    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  6. You really captured the essence of the place! It is beautiful and so well thought-out. I need to go visit again.

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  7. Wow, this place is awesome. Love the metal sculpture, water art and architecture. A great place to get garden ideas. How fun.

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  8. What a fabulous place to walk around. I think I would not get out of there for a very long, long time. There is so much to see. Your photos are incredible, beautiful! Thanks for the great tour.

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  9. i love the spiny lizard! And the stairs with cacti, looks like a wonderful place!

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  10. I just love the southwest desert colors! Aren't they pretty? We are going on our spring break vacation to Arizona...Page, northern rim of GC, Monument Valley! Can't wait!
    Take care!
    Cheryl Ann

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