Amy Krzanik reports from Stockbridge. On a normal summer day, a visit to the Berkshire Botanical Garden would offer plenty to look at, spread throughout the nonprofit’s 15 gorgeous acres. But the organization’s annual Fête des Fleurs, held this year on a sunny Saturday, May 26, offered so much more. First, there were the hats (see below), plus an indoor exhibit by the late Ellsworth Kelly, as well as an outdoor exhibition, Beautiful Strangers: Artists Discover the Garden. Curated by James Salomon, Beautiful Strangers made its debut during the Fête, with many of the 10 featured sculptors present at the party. (Both shows will be up until Oct. 8.) Another exciting view at the sold-out event was courtesy of the brand-new (almost complete) entry garden leading to the recently constructed Center House. The garden design, which includes a stone fountain spouting both water and fire [shown above], was the first-place winner of the BBG’s 2017 design competition. The winners were a team of students from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville School of Landscape Architecture.
Dr. Suzanne Yale with BBG trustees Jeannene Booher and Mary Copeland; trustees Joanne Leonhardt Cassullo and Ramelle Pulitzer flank Robert Horvath.
Maura Griffin, Joe Carry and BBG’s Director of Horticulture Dorthe Hviid; board chair Matt Larkin and vice-chair Madeline Hooper.
Beau Buffier, Rault Kehlor, BBG’s Executive Director Michael Beck and John Millar.
Board member Martha Piper, Virigina Warner and Beth DeWoody; Anita Ytuarte knows how to dress for a garden party.
Anne G. Fredericks, trustee Ian Hooper and Lillian Lennox Whitehead; Hala Salomon, Marcia DeSanctis and Martha Pichey.
Sculptors featured in the exhibit Beautiful Strangers pose with the late Wendell Castle’s Grand Temptation. L to R standing: Fitzhugh Karol, Mark Mennin, Stephen Talasnik and Ned Smyth. L to R seated: Toni Ross, curator James Salomon and Michele Oka Doner.
Matt Larkin, Sarah Eustis and David Rothstein; Nick Haramis, Misha Kahn, Melody Weir and Jennifer Olshin.
Michael Beck, Mark Sena, Lainie Grant and Robin Parow, the Garden’s director of marketing communications; Pauline and Antony Archer Wills with volunteer Gay Tucker.
Guests wandered some of the garden’s 15 acres to view the sculptures.