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In addition to our permanent display houses featuring gorgeous landscape architecture, we host a variety of dynamic exhibits and installations from Chicago-based artists, community members, and Conservatory staff. Peruse some of our most recent exhibits below, and check back for updates on our future and upcoming exhibit plans.
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By Chris Garofalo
See it in Desert House
Designed by Daniel C. French and Edward C. Potter for the Columbia Exposition of 1893
See them in the Outdoor Gardens
By Said Ben Adiba, Hassan Jemghili, and Jawad Rizki
See it in Horticulture Hall
By Lorado Taft
See them at the top of Fern Room
By student artists at Howe School of Excellence and Kat Powers
See it in the Community Room
Photos from the Chicago Park District Special Collections
See it in the Jensen Room
See it outside Sugar from the Sun
This seasonal outdoor exhibit will open on July 5th and run through September 17th, 2023
Afrofuturism is a social, political and artistic movement. It envisions an improved future world for African-descended peoples. The African-descended people and cultures play a key role in the creation of that world. South Side native, artist Kee Merriwether, made this body of work. Garfield Park residents also shaped the exhibit. It seeks to represent African-descended people in a rich and robust environment. The need to fight environmental injustice is no longer needed, because this world is now just.
The Garfield Park Conservatory’s 2023 Spring Flower Show returns February 15th! This year’s show, “Bee’s Knees” is a peek into the wondrous relationship between bees and blooms. Beautiful blooming Spring bulbs such as tulips, daffodils, hyacinth, hydrangeas, and delphiniums will be featured this year. Empty observation and demo hives from GPC’s beekeeping program are set amongst the blooms, giving a glimpse into the world of a bee.
The Spring Flower Show: Bee’s Knees February 15 through May 14, 2023.
Reservations required.
The 2022 Artist’s Garden exhibit Garden Nouveau was an homage to the Art Nouveau movement. Art Nouveau was influenced by the emerging science of botany and the shape and movement of nature. The garden layout is inspired by many of the motifs seen throughout the architecture and design of this art style. Garden Nouveau will showcase many of the flowers Élisabeth Sonrel, an artist known for magnificent posters and watercolors, painted such as lilies, roses, hydrangeas, and oleanders.
This seasonal outdoor exhibit was open July 6, 2022 – October 2, 2022.
The Garfield Park Conservatory’s 2022 Spring Flower Show “Knock Knock” was a fun, playful reprieve from the long Chicago winter. Beautiful blooming flowers, including tulips, hydrangeas, daffodils, and hyacinth, were featured this year. Doors from the Rebuilding Exchange were hung among the blooms and there was be an abundance of knock knock jokes throughout the Show House.
The Spring Flower Show: Knock Knock ran February 26 through May 8, 2022.
The 2021 Artist’s Garden exhibit Still Life in Real Life: Charles Ethan Porter was filled with fruits and flowers that can be found in the still life paintings of African American artist Charles Ethan Porter; including strawberries, carnations, violets, sunflowers and much more. It ran from July 28 through October 17.
Saturation concentrates groups of blooming flowers so that visitors will be able to see and understand the wide range of hues and tints within each color and enjoy their vivid, rich and intense nuances. Saturday, February 27 through Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 9.
Friday, February 14 through March 17, 2020. This exhibit closed early due to COVID-19.
