Lynden’s Summer 2022 Dog Days

This summer, thanks to the generosity of the Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s Joseph R. Pabst Fund, the Lynden is offering special programming during its monthly dog days. This gift came with a prompt: How can we acknowledge the role that dogs have played in helping so many of us survive the pandemic? Between May and September, we offer opportunities to enjoy a dog-led tour; to memorialize your dog in an archival-quality tintype or a Shrinky Dink charm; to ask an artist and trainer about human/non-human relationships; to meet a conservation dog (though not on a dog day); and to share two HOME Craft Days with your dog.

The Lynden Sculpture Garden is located at 2145 West Brown Deer Road, Milwaukee, WI 53217. Dog Day hours are 10 am to 4 pm, and admission to the sculpture garden is free. Dogs must be leashed and respectful of others.

Complete programming schedule for Summer 2022 Dog Days: https://www.lyndensculpturegarden.org/dog-days

At Lynden, we were fortunate to be able to reopen the grounds to the public immediately after the initial COVID lockdown, and beginning in June 2020, the number of dogs visiting on dogs days soared. Nor was dog activity confined to dog days: many staff members brought their dogs to work at least occasionally and a few of our dogs became daily fixtures in both the house and the barn. Contractors we work with took to bringing their dogs, too. People called to ask if they could come with their dogs on non-dog days, and others simply showed up and started walking. We shared in the progress of a dog who came for regular rehabilitation sessions, noted the departure of elderly dogs who had been visiting since Lynden’s earliest days, and met new puppies.

As a result, the entire Lynden staff became involved in planning this summer’s programs. We thought, of course, about artists, but also about behavior and relationships, and about the environment. We remembered that last summer the August and September dog days aligned with our HOME Craft Markets, and many a human-canine dyad enjoyed strolling among the vendors, checking out the merchandise and meeting new people.

Summer 2022 Dog Days Schedule

Dog days occur monthly (May 21, June 18, July 23, August 20, September 17) and canines are welcome from 10 am to 4 pm. Admission to dog days is free, but one of the special programs involves a fee. Dogs must be leashed and respectful of others.

May 21, 2022 – 10:30-11:30 am: A Tour of Sticks with Lynden Dogs Floyd and Broonzy
Join land team dogs Floyd and Broonzy on our May Dog Day for a tour of Lynden’s choicest sticks. This activity is designed for dogs and people who get along with others.

June 18, 2022 – 10 am-4 pm: Margaret Muza Pops Up at the Lynden Sculpture Garden to Make Tintypes
There is a fee of $150 for those who would like a sitting. All are free to observe. Each 30 minute session includes a tintype that the photographer takes and develops on site, as well as a scan. Registration required.
Photographer Margaret Muza is known for her evocative tintype portraits. A tintype is a direct positive image, exposed through a wet chemical process directly onto a thin piece of metal. The process, which dates back to the 1850s, is unique in many ways, but the greatest one is that it must be developed right after it is taken. This activity is suitable for dogs and humans that can sit very still for up to 6 seconds, depending on the light. If anything moves, it will show up blurry, so please book only if that possibility doesn’t bother you. Or consider alternatives: sitting with one of your dog’s toys or favored objects, or even with a photograph of your dog.

June 18, 2022 – 11 am-3 pm: Ask a Trainer: Sara Caron on Human/Non-Human Relationships
At 11 am, artist and trainer Sara Caron offers a conversational introduction to positive reinforcement techniques and how this training style can improve canine welfare and all human/human and human/non-human relationships. Sara will demonstrate how to teach the “touch” cue, an all-purpose attention getter and recall that every dog/person team should have in their toolkit. Visit the “ask a trainer” booth afterwards for brief consultations about your specific training questions. Spend 10-15 minutes with Sara chatting through any dog training challenges you may be facing. Only general advice and management suggestions can be offered.

July 9, 2022 – 11 am-12 pm: Meet a Conservation Detective Dog (note: this is not a Dog Day)
Join us for a live demonstration and short presentation by Laura Holder, Ernie, and Betty White of Conservation Dogs Collective. Learn what a conservation dog is, what they do, what they find, and see a live demonstration by a Canine Finder as they sniff out bumble bee nests on our property. All ages are welcome to attend, but please leave your personal pets at home.

July 23, 2022 – 10 am-4 pm: Sarah Gail Luther: Shrinky Dink Charms
At our July Dog Day, artist Sarah Gail Luther will make you a one-of-a-kind Shrinky Dink charm from a drawing of your dog. This one requires a little patience. Plan on walking around or picnicking for about an hour while Sarah makes your charm. First, she will photograph your dog, then use the photo to make a sketch on polystyrene, and finally she’ll work the Shrinky Dink magic (invented in Brookfield, according to Wikipedia).

August 20, 2022 – 11 am-4 pm: Dogs are Welcome at the HOME Craft Market
Browse our outdoor market featuring crafts and other goods from Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Indigenous makers. Bring a picnic or share some of the treats provided by the HOME community. (We know from last summer that Floyd is partial to Burmese noodles.)

September 17, 2022 – 11 am-4 pm: Dogs are Welcome at the HOME Craft Market
Browse our outdoor market featuring crafts and other goods from Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Indigenous makers. Bring a picnic or share some of the treats provided by the HOME community.

ABOUT THE LYNDEN

The Lynden operates as a laboratory at the intersection of art, nature, and culture. Since opening to the public in 2010, we have worked with artists, educators, students, and our community to create, support, and share experiences that integrate our collection of more than 50 monumental sculptures and temporary installations, Lynden’s community of artists, and the natural ecology of our 40-acre site. The sculpture garden is open to art and nature lovers of all ages daily, 10 am-5 pm; closed Thursdays. Thanks to the generosity of the Herzfeld Foundation and other donors, admission is currently waived. Learn more about visitor guidelines here: https://www.lyndensculpturegarden.org/visit. Annual memberships are also available.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.