On Saturday, July 24th, 16 guests joined HHF at the Foster Botanical Garden for a beautiful morning of history and creating art. It was our first in-person gathering in over a year!
Foster Garden offered a majestic setting with an intriguing story–the perfect backdrop for creative inspiration. Walking through the garden, we were amazed by the Exceptional Trees, curated gardens, and plants collected from all over the world. Almost reluctantly, we stopped exploring to settle down to sketch, write and contemplate the beauty and natural elements surrounding us.
Scroll below to view a photo gallery of the garden and the participants. We also share the history of how Foster Botanical Garden evolved from a private estate, to a botanical center, and finally as O‘ahu’s first public botanical garden and oasis in the heart of metropolitan Honolulu.
The Friends of Honolulu Botanical Gardens are planning to hold some special events later this year. Check their website for announcements.
Sketch with HHF at Foster Botanical Garden*
180 North Vineyard Boulevard, Honolulu
Saturday, July 24, 2021
9:30 – 11:30 AM
*Due to unforeseen circumstances, we have had to change the location of this gathering.
This activity is planned in conjunction with HHF’s “Serendipity” Virtual Art Exhibit to be held August 1 – 31, 2021. Both programs seek to connect Hawai‘i residents with the history of places through art.
Which places in Hawai‘i inspire you with their beauty?
Which places hold special memories for you?
EXPLORING ART AND HISTORIC PLACES
Located in the heart of metropolitan Honolulu, Foster Botanical Garden is home to a collection of more than 6,000 thriving tropical plant taxa on 194 acres and serves as both a research center and public botanical garden. The garden traces its origins to 1853, when Queen Kalama leased a 5.5-acre parcel of her land to German physician and botanist Dr. William Hillebrand.
In 1884 Mary Mikahala Robinson Foster purchased the property, nurturing and expanding Hillebrand’s plant collections. Upon her death in 1930, she donated the property to the City and County of Honolulu to be preserved for the public’s enjoyment. The garden today is home to 23 Exceptional Trees and thematic gardens. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1993.
Sketch with HHF will provide participants with an opportunity to explore Foster Garden’s two terraced gardens, the Prehistoric Glen, Lyon Orchid Garden, Butterfly Garden and other features. HHF staff will provide information about its history. We will have about 90 minutes to create art inspired by its abundant landscape. Please bring your own art supplies–paper, pencils, pens, water colors, pastels, etc. During the last 15 minutes, we will reconvene to share our work.
The admission fee for our group has been waived (as a nonprofit organization) and ample parking is available in the free public lot. All guests who registered for the Sketch at Lyon Arboretum event will remain registered for this event and will receive a full refund for their registration fee. If you no longer wish to attend, please inform us by sending an email to: member@historichawaii.org.
Guests will be required to wear a mask when indoors and when gathering in a large group (10+). Our total group size will be limited to 25 people to help ensure that we gather safely. Guests who wish to bring a bag lunch and stay longer on their own are welcome to do so!
Event Timeline:
- 9:15 AM Park and check in with HHF staff at the Garden entrance.
- 9:30 Greeting and introduction by HHF staff.
- 9:45 – 11:15 Free time to create art! Bring your own supplies to sketch, paint, take photos.
- 11:15 – 11:30 Reconvene to share our work.
How to participate:
- Registration is limited; please contact HHF at member@historichawaii.org to sign up.
- Waiver forms (for adults and minors) are required per each guest. Please print the pdf form below.
- If we have steady rain on the morning of the event, the event will be cancelled (by 8 AM) and participants will be notified by phone/email.
- Minors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Planning your visit:
- Masks are required to be worn indoors and when we gather in large groups of 10 or more. Social distancing (6 feet or more between members of different households) must be practiced.
- Bring your own drinking water and snacks.
- Feel free to bring your own folding chair, mat or cushion.
- Sunscreen and mosquito repellent are recommended.
- Wear covered shoes–it might be a little muddy in places.
- You might want to bring rain gear, just in case.
- Bring your waiver form! See details below.
Further reading:
- Mary’s Gifts: A new biography recounts the life of heiress and philanthropist Mary Foster, whose legacy endures in Hawai‘i and Sri Lanka, Hana Hou Magazine
- Foster Botanical Garden’s National Register Nomination