Phipps to present ‘Orchid Inspiration’
PITTSBURGH – Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in Schenley Park will present “Orchid Inspiration” from Jan. 18 through March 16. This year’s orchid exhibit is embellished with works by a variety of artisans who have themselves been inspired by orchids. Many different mediums are represented.
Isaac Kornhauser, who casts real orchids with gold and silver, will be represented by his exhibit from the world orchid conference. He creates earrings, pendants, pins and statues with no piece alike, as each is modeled after a specific orchid plant.
Nunzi Pace will display patio furniture painted with orchids.
Bill Secunda, an artist and welder from Butler, is creating a 5-foot tall metal orchid.
The display also includes a dollhouse by “Just Miniature Scales” decorated with miniature orchids.
Clay orchids done by Angel Clay Orchids in Georgia will also be on display.
Pamela Schultz from Baton Rouge has embroidered an 18.5-inch-by-19.5-inch orchid picture.
Lorraine Merwick, a local artist, has created a 2-foot-by-3-foot stained-glass orchid especially for “Orchid Inspiration” display.
Orchids are the largest family of flowering plants and the most-highly evolved. There are well over 30,000 individual species. Orchids can be found on every continent except Antarctica. About half of orchids are epiphytic, growing on other plants for support only, but some are parasitic and others saprophytic (living on decaying vegetation). The Orchid Room in the glasshouse is dedicated to these fascinating plants year-round and orchids of all varieties will also be showcased in the Conservatory’s Serpentine Room during the exhibit.
Phipps admission rates are $6 for adults; $5 for seniors 60 and older; $4 for students with ID; and $3 for children ages 2 to 12. Children under 2 and Phipps members are free. Guided tours, free with Phipps admission, are offered Tuesday through Saturday at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., and Sunday at 1 p.m.
Phipps Garden Center, located at 1059 Shady Ave. in Mellon Park, is a horticultural education center offering classes, workshops and the gift boutique, “Shop in the Park.” For more information, call 412-622-6914.
For more information about the garden center, call 412- 441-4442. More information about either location is available online at www.phipps.conservatory.org.