Moll explained, “our partnership with local design firms has allowed the Conservatory to really ramp up the excitement surrounding our showcase garden. Downtown Landmarks features art, history, horticulture, and entertainment. Each design firm adopted a structure which they consider to be significant to the current or past downtown landscape.” Companies providing design, curatorial, and fabrication services include:
- Design Collaborative, Inc. ' Ron Dick, Principal ' The Lincoln Tower
- Martin-Riley Architects, Engineers ' John Riley, Partner ' The Baker Street Train Station
- Moake Park Group, Inc. ' Dick Moake, Owner -- The Keenan Hotel
- MSKTD & Associates, Inc. ' Jim Kratzat, President ' The Embassy
- educate the public on the history of downtown Fort Wayne
- provide an aesthetically enjoyable horticultural exhibit
- encourage discussion on urban planning and the urban lifestyle of the past and future
- share the unique artistic expression present in each building model
- evoke fond memories of downtown
- capture the imagination of younger visitors
- create an attractive and intriguing atmosphere
- showcase the design sponsors and highlight the unique cooperative partnership necessary to move this exhibit from concept to reality.
There several activities planned in the future to highlight the exhibit and provide fun and educational opportunities for visitors:
Holiday Kick-Off Party
Wednesday, November 25, 5-9 pm
Enjoy hot chocolate and a cookie, make a card for a service person, meet Mrs. Claus and let us give you a photo with Santa. You can also meet Becka and Teeka, two live reindeer that know all about the North Pole. Don't forget to participate in the Fort Wayne Downtown Lighting Ceremony before or after your visit to our holiday garden and displays. Regular Conservatory admission fees apply. No reservations required. Sponsored by WAJI Majic 95.1 FM.
Piñata Paradise
November 14-December 6
Piñatas are a traditional part of Mexican Christmas celebrations. Enjoy our creative display in the Desert Garden, designed and decorated by area children. At the end of the display the candy-filled creations are donated to local children's agencies for their holiday celebrations.
Nights of Lights
Thursdays and Fridays in December
Thursday and Fridays in December; the facility will remain open until 8:00 ' as a special added bonus Thursday evenings will feature free make-it/take-it holiday crafts and a spectacular music and light show will add a magical glow to the terrace garden.
Three Faces of St. Paul's
December 19-January 31
One well-known downtown landmark in this “City of Churches” is St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran. As the congregation approaches its 175th anniversary, we celebrate a remarkable story of genesis, destruction, rebuilding, and a very special Christmas, as told through a set of detailed models and the history they record.
Art Exhibits
December 1-December 29
Greg Becker - Acrylic paintings
Greg's passion for art has been with him since his beginnings in a one-stoplight rural Indiana town. After high school, Greg completed a Commercial Art degree with a Fine Arts minor at the University of Saint Francis. He and his wife Jennifer live in Fort Wayne where he is an Art Director.
George Mundell - Photography
George bought his first camera and some books on photography in 1973. He discovered that photography is more than pushing a button; it's part science and part art. His subject matter varies in matter and location and he enjoys the creative side of photography the most.
Greg Mendez - Metal Sculpture
Continue your garden visit into the crisp outdoors beyond the Desert House and you will discover an exhibit of life-size sculpted figures. Individually, the sculptures exemplify the capability of human movement and raw emotion. As a whole the exhibit is designed to provoke and inspire the viewer to interpret his own scene or story. Greg Mendez is a graduate of the University of Saint Francis where he studied Fine Art with a concentration in sculpture.
Stories from the Conductor
Saturday, November 28, 10 am-2 pm
For about 100 years, Fort Wayne history -- and in fact U.S. history -- was closely linked to its railroads. Visit the Conservatory's Downtown Landmarks exhibit this Thanksgiving weekend and enjoy Mr. Conductor's lively first-person interpretation as he shares train legends and lore in costume with our guests. Regular Conservatory admission fees apply.
Santa & the Reindeer
Saturdays, December 5, 12, & 19
12-4 pm
Santa and two of his reindeer will be on site to greet the children while Mom and Dad take pictures to capture the moment. Explore the Conservatory in its holiday glory ' this year's theme is “Downtown Landmarks”. Enjoy scale models of buildings past and present such as the Baker Street Train Station, the Lincoln Tower, and the Keenan Hotel. Regular Conservatory admission fees apply.
Build a City interactive exhibit
January 5-31
Get hands-on with downtown landmarks, and bring the kids to build their own version of a livable city. Our classroom will be converted to a play room, where different kinds of blocks and construction toys can be arranged on street grids in endless combinations of office buildings, homes, stores, parks, and city service facilities amidst public roads, railroads, and bike paths. Drop-in visitors work cooperatively to try out different visions, changing daily. Tips about city planning offer insight into the challenging work of city officials. Interactive exhibit, open during public hours.
Origami Architecture exhibit
February 2-28
Become acquainted with architectural styles through this collection of fascinating paper models. Using pop-up book techniques, an origamic architect can design a template which, when cut and folded, reveals the stark but intriguing form of a familiar landmark or architectural icon.
Science Fun for Everyone
Reindeer Aerodynamics
December 5 & 19, 11 am & 2 pm
Have you ever wondered what it would take to really get Rudolph off the ground? Working with the four forces of flight, different types of propulsion and parabolic trajectories we might not get our little stuffed reindeer around the world, but we'll at least get him across the room.
Science Fun for Everyone
Buildings and Structures
January 16 & 30, 11 am & 2 pm; January 21, 6 pm
Have you ever wondered why skyscrapers don't fall over in a strong wind, or how a few thin cables can hold up a bridge? Join us as we explore what helps structures stand up and why some come crashing down. You will even get the chance to build and test your own structure.
Indoor Guide to Downtown Architecture
The city of Fort Wayne is home to a rich and varied architectural history, ranging from 18th century log cabins to the modern skyscrapers of today. Angie Quinn, the Executive Director of ARCH, will introduce you to some of the most notable structures and styles using both an extensive set of photos and slides and the architectural models on display in the Botanical Conservatory's Downtown Landmarks showcase exhibit. Age: 16-adult. Registration deadline: Feb. 12; fee $11, $9 for members.
Origami Architecture
Imagine “origami crane meets pop-up card.” Origami is not just cranes and boats ' origamic principles can be applied to architectural forms with remarkably sophisticated results. With a little careful cutting and folding, participants can produce a 90-degree-view structure out of a single piece of cardstock. Participants will be introduced to the resources and techniques used to craft the structures on display in the Discovery Gallery and will have the chance to cut and fold their own simple structure. Kit included; a steady hand is essential for use of the sharp knife. Age: 18+. Registration deadline: Feb. 5; fee $15, $13 for members
Quick Facts
Exhibit Title: Downtown Landmarks
Location: Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory
Dates of Exhibit: Daily through April 4, 2010
Sponsors: PBS39, Magic 95.1, The Wilson Foundation
For More Information Contact: Mitch Sheppard, 260/427-6441