Art has always been an important accompaniment to the Durango Botanic Gardens. Visitors to the Demonstration Garden admire or ask often about the striking blue Puma sculpture or the Thomas Grams Memorial featuring its ravens in flight. Now, visitors to our new Arboreta on the north side of the library are stopping to comment or inquire about our most recent additions to our art program--decorative metal panels. There are currently three metal art panels, fabricated by Bryan Saren of Saren Studios, in the Arboreta. 

Saren, shown at left, erected the most recent panel, donated by Annette and Bill LeMaire, on Tuesday, May 7. The panel, designed by Annette LeMaire, depicts a girl reading a book in the crook of a tree. In 2018 DBS members, John and Theresa Anderson, donated a panel in the Miniature Tree Garden. John is president of DBS; Theresa is a DBS board member and docent training coordinator.

The first panel (at left in photo below) to be installed in 2018 was donated by Melanie and Clark Palmer. Melanie is DBS garden curator and docent trainer. The Palmers, representing a family with a long tradition of military service, chose to dedicate their panel “In honor and in memory of United States military veterans and their families.” Melanie adds that she and Clark wanted the panel to honor their military roots. An eagle, soaring protectively over the landscape in the panel, represents the U.S. military guarding our freedoms.

The Anderson’s panel (above, right) was based on an original painting, titled “Glow,” by Durango artist, Annette LeMaire. Working with an image, Saren will fine-tune the artwork so it can be accommodated by his computerized metal cutting machine. This process uses water, laser or plasma to perform the final cut.

The decorative art panels are a new and important way to contribute to the growth and beauty of our gardens. The metal panels are available for a donation of $2500, accompanied by a plaque naming the donors and may include any special memorials, quotes, or passages desired.

For more on donating a decorative metal art panel, contact us at 970-880-4841 or email us at durangobotanical@gmail.com. There are many other ways to donate to our mission of providing amazing public gardens in Durango. For other donation options, go to the Help Us Grow tab.