(SUMMIT, NJ) -- Reeves-Reed Arboretum will kick off its summer season of the arts and celebrating its 50th Anniversary with its annual garden party ART in the Garden on Saturday, June 8, 2024 from 7:00pm to 11:00pm. This year the 50 year old public garden will be taking it back to the 1970s in homage to the year it was founded as a public arboretum and education resource in 1974.
This special event launches its summer art exhibits and concert series, and is their largest fundraiser of the year supporting environmental education, as well as the gardens, grounds, woodlands, and historic buildings. Reeves-Reed Arboretum will be honoring the Reed and Hubbard Families and the City Summit for their efforts in preserving these 13.5 acres as a public garden back in 1974.
The 1970s-themed garden soirée will include a cocktail and small plates reception by David Ellis Events, indoor and outdoor art exhibitions, live music with Lenox Underground and jazz guitarist Ryan Hernandez, live and silent auctions, a wine raffle, and a retro 1970s VW bus photo booth to help capture memories of this notable evening!
ART in the Garden: This event is open to the public with details and tickets available at bit.ly/rragala2024. Can’t attend but would still like to support Reeves-Reed Arboretum and its 50th Anniversary? Donations can be made at the above mentioned link or at reeves-reedarboretum.org. The following corporate sponsors helped underwrite this event: Chubb, Bassett Associates, Deloitte, Lucid Motors, PwC, Bartlett Tree Experts, KPMG LLP, Hadley Peterson Landscape Design, Tea & Oranges; In-kind sponsors: Creative Digital Solutions and David Ellis Events. Interested in sponsoring the event? Call (908) 273-8787, x1414.
Art Exhibitions: Artist Susan Darwin’s Location Series: The New Jersey Paintings explores the hidden gems and landmarks of the Garden State offering a fresh perspective on the beauty and diversity of New Jersey's landscapes and celebrates the state’s history with works ranging from environmental treasures to innovations in Industry. Additionally, Darwin shines a spotlight on significant plant and animal species, enriching the viewer’s exploration of the state's natural wonders. Her show will be open to the public in Reeves-Reed Arboretum’s Wisner House Gallery June 4 through October 31, 2024. The gallery is open Tuesday-Sunday, 10:00am – 4:00pm, closed on Mondays.
An outdoor sculpture installation by New York artist Kaete Brittin Shaw will also be on the grounds through October featuring works made with materials ranging from river wood to porcelain and screen. Shaw’s sculptures, characterized by organic forms and their harmonious integration with the landscape will serve as serene focal points for contemplation and meditation amidst the lush gardens of the Arboretum.
Sounds of a Summer Night Concert Series: Reeves-Reed Arboretum will present four performances this summer in their annual Sounds of a Summer Night garden concert series on select Wednesday evenings. The grounds open at 6:00pm for concertgoers to picnic and enjoy the gardens with performances beginning promptly at 7 pm. The 2024 summer lineup includes: June 26 – Clouds in Our Coffee: A Carly Simon Tribute; July 10 – Alborada Spanish Dance Theatre; July 24 – Ryan Hernandez Jazz Quartet; August 14 – Random Test Reggae. Tickets are free for Reeves-Reed Arboretum members and children under 3; Non-members are $15 per person; Students $5. Visit reeves-reedarboretum.org for concert details and tickets.
Open 7 days a week, Reeves-Reed Arboretum is listed on both the National and State Registers of Historic Places and has been educating and inspiring the community through nature for 50 years! To learn more about the Arboretum, ART in the Garden, art exhibits, concerts, and other adult and children’s programming including summer camp, visit reeves-reedarboretum.org or call (908) 273-8787, x1010.
Photos courtesy of Reeves-Reed Arboretum
