GLOW: Shedding a New Light on the South Coast Botanic Garden by Steve Tabor
GLOW: Shedding a New Light on the South Coast Botanic Garden
by Steve Tabor
The South Coast Botanic Garden has been a haven to many South Bay residents and visitors as a way to escape the monotony of the COVID-19 restrictions. So much so, that MaryLynn Mack, Chief Operating Officer and other Garden staff members have been “pleasantly surprised and appreciative of the number of visitors coming to the Garden for a brief escape.”
As a result, the Chief Executive Officer, Adrienne Nakashima, and the Executive Team were inspired to create a way to extend the Garden’s operating hours to allow additional opportunities for visitors to experience the Garden.
For the first time in its history, the Garden considered installing a lighted nighttime exhibit. However, Mack insists, “We did not want to create a ‘Holiday’ light show. We wanted to create something that was consistent with Garden’s mission, yet have it be creative and interesting for our visitors. We looked to our mission and identified highlighting the concept of sustainability because it is one of the keys to our mission. And there is no greater challenge we face today than the sustainability of our planet’s natural resources and water is at the top of the list.” Partnering with California Outdoor Lighting, a San Pedro based custom landscape lighting company, they sat down and quickly got to work designing the GLOW (Garden Lights Ocean Waters) exhibit.
As California Outdoor Lighting owner, Anthony Bogdanovich explains, “The wave action on the beach is as serene as the Garden. The exhibit flows through the Garden like a current. It is a great way to tell a story by having the exhibit flow like a current, leading visitors through the Garden.”
Mack explains, “The concept moved from brainstorming to posterboard drawings and finally the installation of 1,000 LED lights, moving lights and diodes that transform the trees, plants and the garden environment into an experience that is completely unlike any daytime visit. We wanted to create something that is visually stunning from the moment you walk in until the time you walk out.”
Before the design was finalized, time was spent learning how the plants and trees absorbed and reflected the light. Mack points out, “Changes were made in the design to create an elegant yet a vivid display of colors. We want our visitors to see our trees and plants in a completely different way.”
In addition to the lighting, musical selections were incorporated to enhance the mood of each component. At the entrance you are greeted by the sounds of surf rock by Bruce Lindquist. Jerzy created three separate musical selections that are played in the Promenade section, a portion of the flowing River, and at the Living Wall. Vivaldi’s Storm by 2 Cellos is used to enhance the experience in the Banyan Tree Rainforest. In other portions of the River, visitors are treated to Van Morrison’s “Into the Mystic”, Billie Eilish’s “Ocean Eyes” and Music Travel Love’s “Have You Ever Heard the Rain.” The transformation of the Desert Garden into a Coral Reef would not be complete without the sounds of “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” by Bob Lyons.
Mack explains, “Incorporating the Rose Garden into the design was quite a challenge. Instead of using the plants as an exhibit, a multi-screen light show has been installed across the garden.” The display is synchronized to “Mermaid” by the musical group Train. Mack continues, “Visitors stroll down the Promenade towards the exhibit by the light and the music.”
The Garden has also transformed the Fuller sculpture into an Octopus floating among a sea of lights with one of its tenacles wrapped around a treasure chest.
Mack explains, “In addition to expanding our operating hours for visitors, GLOW has allowed us to bring back some of our volunteers who were unable to serve during our regular operating hours because COVID-19 staffing restrictions.” The Garden continues to need volunteers to assist with the exhibit. Volunteer applications can be completed online at www.southcoastbotanicgarden.org.
COVID-19 safety precautions are in place. Tickets for the exhibit must be purchase in advance via the website or by calling 1 (424) 452-0920 between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Visitors must follow a one-way path through the exhibit, but visitors are not limited in the number of times they explore the exhibit during their visit. Visitors must wear a mask or other facial covering for visitors over two-years-old, maintain social distance, and use a separate entrance and exit. Entry times are available from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Ticket prices are $24.95 for Garden members and $34.95 for non-members. Children under 4 are free. The exhibit runs through January 10, 2021. It is closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
The South Coast Botanic Garden is located at 26300 Crenshaw Blvd., Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA 90274
Visitors are encouraged to review “The Ultimate How-to-Guide for Experiencing GLOW” on the Gardens’ website to enhance your visit.
In addition to the GLOW exhibit, the Garden has some exciting events coming in 2021. The Garden is planning a butterfly exhibit in the Fall of 2021.
https://southcoastbotanicgarden.org/
Steve Tabor Bio
This South Bay native’s photographic journey began after receiving his first 35 mm film camera upon earning his Bachelor of Arts degree. Steve began with photographing coastal landscapes and marine life. As a classroom teacher he used photography to share the world and his experiences with his students. Steve has expanded his photographic talents to include portraits and group photography, special event photography as well as live performance and athletics. Steve serves as a volunteer ranger for the Catalina Island Conservancy and uses this opportunity to document the flora and fauna of the island’s interior as well as photograph special events and activities.
Watch for Steve Tabor Images on the worldwide web.