Botanica, the Wichita botanical garden, is preparing to open a large-scale outdoor sculpture exhibition titled 'Origami in the Garden' on Saturday, running through September 26. Created by artists Kevin and Jennifer Box of Santa Fe, New Mexico, the show features 18 works inspired by the Japanese art of paper folding, including sculptures of a bison, horses, a pegasus, and rising cranes. The exhibition is included with general admission, and Mother's Day offers free entry for moms. Additionally, Botanica is hosting 'Symphony in the Gardens' on May 15 with the Wichita Symphony Orchestra, themed 'American Landscapes' in honor of the nation's 250th anniversary.
This story matters because it highlights how regional botanical gardens are increasingly serving as venues for contemporary sculpture exhibitions, making art accessible to broad audiences outside traditional museum settings. The 'Origami in the Garden' show brings nationally recognized artists to Wichita, enriching the local cultural landscape and drawing visitors to the garden's seasonal programming. The combination of art, nature, and community events like Symphony in the Gardens underscores the role of public gardens as hubs for interdisciplinary cultural engagement in smaller cities.