The Huntington’s evergreen appeal

The Beautyful Ones Series #4, 2015 The Beautyful Ones Series #1c, 2014

BLOOMING WITH POSSIBILITIES

The Huntington’s evergreen appeal increases as it creates a more global, inclusive community. BY SARA SMOLA

The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens is one of the oldest cultural and intellectual centers in Southern California, welcoming visitors from all over the globe to its world-class library, ne art collection, and themed gardens. Despite celebrating its centennial in 2019, the Huntington is showing no signs of aging and instead is boldly marching into the future with an updated vision.

As part of its diversity, equity, and inclusion strategic plan for 2020–2025, the Huntington is ushering in a more progressive era of programming and exhibitions, such as The Hilton Als Series: Njideka Akunyili Crosby, February 15–June 12. Curated by Als, a Pulitzer Prize–winning author and New Yorker magazine critic, this exhibition is the nal part of a trilogy series on contemporary female artists and highlights Nigerian-born, Los Angeles–based artist Crosby’s collage-based paintings from “The Beautyful Ones,” the artist’s ongoing series of intimate portraits of Nigerian children, including members of her own family.

Meanwhile, the 130-acre botanical garden grounds have been serving up inspiration for the fashion industry. Pasadena-bred fashion designers Kate and Laura Mulleavy of Rodarte chose the Huntington’s atrium for their fall 2019 show. Most recently, the Huntington Art Gallery, a grand Beaux Arts mansion, served as the backdrop for Ralph Lauren’s spring 2023 runway show (the designer’s rst on the West Coast), followed by a candlelit dinner overlooking the Rose Garden. John Legend, Diane Keaton, Jennifer Lopez, and Ben Af eck, among other celebrity A-listers, attended the event, proving that, like timeless fashion, the Huntington will never go out of style. huntington.org