3 minute read
Events
Meet BEVERLY MORGAN
our Venue & Communications Manager. Starting her career as Public Relations Coordinator at Neiman Marcus, a Special Events Manager for WeddingChannel.com, and then a PR consultant at South Coast Plaza, she brings a unique combination of skills and experience.
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The Sherman Library & Gardens strives to support the best local performing artists, find exciting new ways for guests to experience the garden, and encourage people to use the library, and art collections as a source of inspiration. To help achieve this, the Sherman Library & Gardens continued to seek ways to engage with the community through thoughtfully curated special events. Each event took into consideration the current recommendation of the pandemic while allowing the public an inspiring, safe haven that promoted curiosity and discovery.
Newport Beach Garden Tour
The 25th annual Newport beach Garden Tour was held virtually once again. This long-standing fundraiser is the largest fundraiser put on by the volunteer association. This year the volunteers chose to raise money for our new Education Program in support of Catherin Dickinson. To celebrate the 25th anniversary the Argyros Foundation graciously donated $25,000 as the presenting sponsor for the event. The event embraced the virtual aspect of the tour and included homes from Beverly Hills to San Clemente; the highlight being an exclusive interview and tour of the Thornton Gardens in San Marino, California. The story of this historic estate and its preservation was accepted and screened at the Newport Beach Film Festival. The virtual event included three videos, and then culminated at the Summer Garden Party. The event raised $86,000 in support of the Sherman Education Program.
Nights of 1000 Lights
The Sherman Library & Gardens flagship event was started 6 years ago and has quickly become the most popular event. This year, the event was scaled back to create non-interactive experiences. Fairy dancers, jugglers, miniature horses, and a gnome scavenger hunt were seen throughout the gardens. Attendance was reduced from 10,000 to 5,000 with timed entry to prevent overcrowding and allow for recommended social distancing. The overwhelming response from members and guests was gratitude that they could still enjoy the holiday cheer and tradition.
Eerie Evenings (Replacement for Creatures of the Night)
An event that was built off interactive experiences with plants & animals was reimagined by the talented and creative horticulture team. Eerie Evenings replaced creatures throughout the gardens with carnival-like experiences mixed with plant humor: "Behold the man-eating plants at a dining room table set with deadly vegetarian delights!” The highlight of the evening was a Bayou Apothecary that looked and felt like it was a Hollywood set. Once again reduced attendance, and timed entry won accolades from members, and guests because the team was able to showcase creativity while still providing concern for safety.
Plant Society Shows
Supporting local plant societies, and providing them with a low-cost exhibition space, is central to the Sherman Library & Gardens’ mission. The Plant Society Show and Sale program offered guests the opportunity to learn about a wide variety of plants via exhibits, lectures, and demonstrations. In 2021, the Sherman Library and Gardens Plant Society Membership was created. This membership offers selected Orange County plant societies the opportunity to stage one plant show and sale a year and use the gardens for an annual meeting. During the year guests enjoyed shows staged by Orange County Chrysanthemum Society, Southern California Hibiscus Society, Southern California Begonia Society, Orange Empire Bonsai Society, Southern California Carnivorous Plant Enthusiasts, Orange County Fuchsia Society, Saddleback Bromeliad Society, and North American Clivia Society.
Backhausdance: Garden Flow
Residency and Performances In 2021, the performing arts program returned with a series of wonderful garden performances by Backhausdance. Thanks to a $20,000 grant from Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley, Sherman Library & Gardens was able to play a role in resuming performing arts in Orange County. Members, dance fans, and supporters of all ages gathered for an afternoon and evening of performances throughout the garden. The performances were the culmination of a month-long residency by the company of dancers and was experienced by over 1,000 people.
“I wanted to express my gratitude for your collaboration with Backhausdance company. I was in the audience Saturday afternoon with my parents and children. It was one of the most beautiful, and moving experiences I have had since the beginning of the pandemic. I didn’t realize how much I missed the performing arts until the dancers entered the space, and began their movement.” –Emily Miller
