An important ‘first’ will take place this year at the Missouri Botanical Garden. Its inaugural Garden Soiree, a special evening fundraiser, gets off the ground May 19 amid spring greenery and flowering beauty.
Annual leadership giving manager Nellie LaVigne says the colorful celebration will be held rain or shine, but Garden staff are hoping for the latter so guests can fully enjoy the outdoor displays. A centerpiece of the event is Michigan artist Craig Mitchell Smith’s ‘Garden of Glass’ exhibit, most of which will be on display inside the Climatron. Glass pieces will be illuminated in the evening for extra effect during the soiree and afterward. “This is a great opportunity to get festive and experience the Garden and the exhibit in cocktail attire,” LaVigne says of the event.
Colorado-based band The Samples will have guests on their feet during the event, and the garden party atmosphere will include signature cocktails, great food and lots of socializing, says membership manager Kate Gleason. She explains that it is designed to appeal to all audiences, but especially younger St. Louisans who have not yet become involved with the Garden as donors. “Our 50 event committee members are very engaged and leading the charge for a unique, fun event,” she says. “It’s designed to draw new supporters from our generous community by celebrating everything the Garden does for St. Louis.”
LaVigne says general admission and ‘premium’ VIP tickets are available, ranging from $125 to $350. VIP guests will enjoy a special reception, champagne, valet parking and a chance to visit with the band. All proceeds support the Garden’s operations and its programs to enrich the public’s understanding of plant life. “We’re a leader in plant science and conservation,” LaVigne says. “We want everyone to know what an important player we are on the world stage, and what a treasure the Garden is for St. Louis.”
In addition to being a leading plant science institution, the Garden regularly receives recognition for its visitor experience and the beauty of its grounds. “This year, we were among the three best botanical gardens in the U.S. as voted by USA Today readers,” says Katie O’Sullivan, senior public information officer. “In recent years, we’ve been ranked in the top three of more than 250 St. Louis attractions on TripAdvisor, and were the No. 1 attraction in 2016.” The Garden has been featured on Midwest Living’s ‘Best of the Midwest’ list, and was named the No. 1 botanical garden in the U.S. by the Travel Channel. And Architectural Digest recently included it on a list of ‘15 Breathtaking Botanical Gardens.’
Smith’s artwork will be on view through Aug. 13. “There will be 30 fused glass pieces that will take about two weeks to install,” O’Sullivan says. “It will be a bit different from the blown glass by artists like Dale Chihuly that we’ve featured in the past.”
LaVigne adds, “The Smith exhibit really highlights the diversity of our living collection. It’s like a marriage of art and flowers. We think Garden Soiree guests will want to come back this summer and see it again with friends and family.”
Founded in 1859 by Henry Shaw, the Missouri Botanical Garden works to discover and share knowledge about plants and their environment, to preserve and enrich life. Garden of Glass is presented by PGAV Destinations. Additional sponsorship by Caleres, the Corporate Council of the Missouri Botanical Garden, Drury Hotels, Edward Jones, Peters Family Charitable Trust, Renewal by Andersen, and the Young Friends Council of the Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden Soiree is sponsored by Clayton Financial Group, Elizabeth Danforth, Hager Cos., the Johnston Family Foundation, Defiance Whiskey and the Pohlmann Legacy. For more information about the Garden Soiree and Garden of Glass exhibit, visit missouribotanicalgarden.org.
Cover photo: Garden Soiree co-chairs Stephanie Mannis, Diane Dark and Ellen Hager with Dianne Johnson (second from right)
Cover design by Jon Fogel | Cover photo by Colin Miller of Strauss Peyton Photography
Climatron photo by Jonathan Knobelock