March at Lynden

We are in the melt. Tony Smith’s Wandering Rocks are surrounded by small circles of grass created by the sunlight bouncing off the reflective surfaces of “Crocus,” “Slide,” “Dud,” “Shaft,” and “Smohawk.” The largest trees, too, have their exposed circles: perhaps the snow doesn’t accumulate as much beneath a canopy, or the energy of the living systems beneath the surface is warming the ground. Days are longer: I’m often locking the gate at the end of the day during dusk rather than in darkness. The blind in my office is being lowered more frequently to shut out glare during the usual round of Zoom meetings (new) or to block the sun as it sets directly in my line of sight (a perennial problem at this time of year).

Just as it’s difficult not to be on the lookout for signs of spring, enough has changed in the past few weeks to make it feel as if the pandemic itself might melt away. As the vaccine marches across the country and into our veins, I’m talking to artists about traveling to Lynden this summer, and tentatively—but happily—reviving plans for projects postponed over the past year.

We will be making an announcement about camps within the next few weeks, and we have penciled in August 26 for the Backyard Barbecue. A planning group has been called into existence to think about our edible gardens as places to tell stories, particularly about the communities we serve, and to link those narratives together. The HOME Refugee Steering Committee is putting together plans for a dispersed celebration of World Refugee Day, stretching from early June into the fall. (I like that the Uffizi museum is calling their program to disperse works across Tuscany “Uffizi Diffusi” or “scattered Uffizi.”) And the Milwaukee Bonsai Society is making plans to reopen the Bonsai Exhibit (and more!) later this year.

This month, you can join Chuck Stebelton for some birdwatching; bring your dog for dog day; or join Justine Miller (virtually) to plan a landscape using native plants. A new eight-week session of Lynden’s Art Club begins on March 10 (virtual), and the HOME Book Discussion Group begins a new book, Somewhere in the Unknown World by Kao Kalia Yang, on March 18 (virtual). Small children are welcome at Tuesdays in the Garden (in person) and this month, our bilingual HOME Story Time features a visit from author and illustrator Nadine Kaadan (virtual).

March events, arranged chronologically:

All in-person programs take place outdoors. For the safety of all concerned, you must register in advance. Masks are required and social distancing guidelines will be followed.

Sunday, March 7, 2021 – 10 am-12 noon
VIRTUAL
INTRODUCTION TO NATIVE PLANT LANDSCAPE DESIGN: A WORKSHOP WITH JUSTINE MILLER
Learn about using native plants to design for four-season interest and year-round wildlife benefit. Landscape designer Justine Miller will teach design fundamentals and introduce you to great native plants for the home landscape. Different garden styles and planting methods will be covered, as well as texture, color, form, and seasonal interest. Combine art and ecology to create a beautiful, functional yard for yourself and your environment.

Tuesday, March 9, 2021- 10:30 am-11:15 am
TUESDAYS IN THE GARDEN FOR PARENTS & VERY SMALL CHILDREN
The 40 acres that house the Lynden collection of monumental outdoor sculpture are also home to many birds, insects, frogs, mammals, and plants. Join art educator Claudia Orjuela for hands-on art making and all-senses-engaged exploration of the outdoor world at Lynden. We’ll consider a new theme each month, each designed to engage your child’s curiosity and encourage outdoor play, experimentation, and the manipulation of art materials. Tuesdays in the Garden is designed for children aged 1 through 3 and their caregivers. The theme for March is signs of spring.

Wednesday, March 10, 2021– 10:30-11 am
VIRTUAL
HOME: STORY TIME
Join us for a virtual, bilingual HOME Story Time from the comfort of your home. HOME Story Time features children’s books written or illustrated by authors, illustrators, and artists who have faced forced displacement as refugees, asylum seekers, or immigrants. Designed for children aged 4-8, we end each session with an art activity from Lynden art educator Claudia Orjuela. Worksheets and handouts will be available for download. Scheduled to screen every second Wednesday of the month, HOME Story Time is a collaboration with the Milwaukee Public Library, the Islamic Resource Center, Hanan Refugee Relief Group, and Alliance Française de Milwaukee. Videos will remain on view once they are posted. In March we are reading Tomorrow/Ghadan, written and illustrated by Nadine Kaadan, in English and Arabic.

Eight Wednesdays, March 10-May 5, 2021 (no class April 7) – 3-5 pm
VIRTUAL
LYNDEN ART CLUB FOR YOUTH AGED 11 AND UP
Art Club is a virtual community of young artists who are independent in their art practice but value a place where they can exchange ideas and support and learn from each other. Students will design a long-term art project that they can pursue on their own, as time and interest permit. Weekly meetings will be devoted to check-ins and catch-ups, in-progress reviews, creative art challenges, and conversations about contemporary artists. Join our art community and share your work with Lynden art educator Jeremy Stepien and your peers.

Sunday, March 14, 2021 – 8:30-10 am
BIRDING WITH POET CHUCK STEBELTON
Join poet and birder Chuck Stebelton the second Sunday of each month for a small-group, socially distanced bird walk on the grounds. Keeping to the perimeter of the garden, we’ll watch for seasonal migrants and resident bird species and seek out the best bird habitats to identify as many species as we can. Please dress for the weather and plan to walk in varied terrain. Bring your binoculars if you have them; no previous birding experience required.

Saturday, March 20, 2021 – 10 am-4 pm
DOG DAYS AT LYNDEN
Bring your canine friends for a wintery walk. Dogs must be leashed and considerate of other visitors, canine and human.

COMING UP IN APRIL

Expect regular monthly activities: birding with Chuck Stebelton, a dog day, HOME bilingual story time, and Tuesdays in the Garden. The Women’s Speaker Series will be presenting Stephanie Dray, author of The Women of the Chateau Lafayette, on April 12. The next episode of The Great Community Cooking Show goes live on April 25, and rumor has it that the subject will be desserts. Keep an eye on the web calendar for more virtual and outdoor offerings. We will be closed on Sunday, April 4.

Thank you, as always, for your support,
Polly
3/3/21

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.