Beauty, awe, wonder, art, and (lots of) lights are a few things my brother and I experienced at the Lewis Ginter GardenFest of Lights. After such delight walking about the magical lights, today Virginia is sharing highlights so you can experience a bit of it, too.
The Lewis Ginter GardenFest @ night
We enjoyed our spring visit to the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden in Richmond (as blogged here previously.) After hearing about their holiday festival of lights, on Monday evening we zoomed an hour from Williamsburg to see what the hubbub was all about.
Night view of the Conservatory
GardenFest exceeded my imagined expectations. A million lights spread all over the extensive grounds fashioned into exhibits inspired by famous artists and flowers:
“Bringing Art to Light.”
A young artist by the Japanese Garden pond
We arrived at 4:00PM to avoid a bit of traffic, get a parking place, and check out a few exhibits in the daylight.
GardenFest features works of art throughout the garden
We managed to catch a brilliant sunset..
Sunset @ GardenFest
In the approaching dusk, lights twinkled…
A tribute to Monet’s bridge
Once it got dark, however, those same lights blazed with luminescence.
Monet’s bridge @ night
‘Twas so cool seeing exhibits inspired by artists, like this Georges Seurat one by the Japanese Garden pond.
Lights of art creatively reflected
Inside the Conservatory we saw this Christmas tree made of flowers inspired by a lamp designed by visionary dancer Loie Fuller that’s part of the VMFA (Virginia Museum of Fine Arts) collection.
Gigantic (22-foot) tree made of flowers
There were trains spinning around railroad tracks, lots of activities for children (Santa sightings inclusive), doll houses of every kind, hot chocolate, treats at the Cafe, and everywhere you looked: INSPIRATIONAL LIGHTS.
Japanese Garden ‘enlightened’
On the way home Dwight & I both agreed we felt like we’ve already celebrated New Years. For many years our town had a big First Night event every New Years, but alas, ‘tis no more. Now we must Make Plans.
An inviting GardenFest entryway patio
Methinks we’ve already celebrated.
On our last circuit around the sights, my brother captured this cool pic of the lights in the children’s section reflected in the lake.
photo credit: Dwight Woodward
Since Light is such an important part of Advent, hope you enjoyed this short tour of GardenFest’s wonders.
grace, peace & inspirational light(s)
Virginia : )
“Treasures lie hidden in darkness. Only those who walk in the night can see the stars.” Archbishop Fulton Sheen (the Venerable)
VALES & VALLEYS
