San Francisco Botanical Garden

Helen Crocker Russell Library of Horticulture

Library Events

Art Exhibit

"Nature's Geometry: Surprises of Botanical Design"

Photographs by Julie Jaycox
September 1 – December 30, 2010

This collection of color photographs by artist Julie Jaycox focuses on the fascinating geometry of plants. Through her lens she reveals the often surprising symmetry of nature. Focusing on what the casual observer typically misses, Jaycox leads us to see the complex organization of plants as well as the overall geometry of floral and leaf structures.

“We can't do it without the plants.”

Using her observant eye, handheld 35mm Contax camera and only natural light, Jaycox captures the elegant details of plants. In a world where photography can be anything from plant scans to highly altered digital images, Jaycox does it the old fashioned way -- walking among the plants and capturing fleeting stages of growth at just the right time of day. In our San Francisco climate the fog acts as a natural light filter and dew is often represented in her images. As Jaycox says, "We can't do it without the plants," in recognition of the source of her art and the importance of respect for plants as the basis of life on earth.

This is Jaycox's second exhibit at the Helen Crocker Russell Library and is an entirely new collection of photos, many of which have been taken in the San Francisco Botanical Garden.

Click on thumbnails to view larger >>

DETAILS



        

DATES

September 1 - December 30, 2010

                      

                      ARTISTS' RECEPTION 

          Thursday, September 9, 5:00 – 7:00 pm

Helen Crocker Russell Library


          

            FOR SALE

          The fine art photographs in the exhibition and unframed prints are available for sale, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Library.

Julie's photo career started as a model for her photographer friends in college in Utah. She didn't pick up a camera of her own for another 15 years and then shot anything indoors, being afraid someone would steal the camera if she wandered NYC with it in hand. A trip to San Francisco introduced her to the abundance of live plants and flowers outdoors, not just the flower stand bouquets she'd been shooting on her kitchen table. In fact, wandering down 9th Avenue on a spring visit she found the Arboretum quite by accident, a lifelong love affair beginning that day. Now she shoots almost exclusively outdoors.

General Exhibit Information

The Helen Crocker Russell Library of Horticulture is open Wednesday – Saturday from 10:00am to 4:00pm, free of charge; closed Sunday – Tuesday and major holidays. The artwork in the exhibition is available for sale, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Library. For more information call (415) 661-1316 ext. 403. Exhibitions of plant- and garden-related drawings, paintings, photographs, and educational displays run for four-month periods.

Story Time & Family Walk

Looking for a fun, free and easy-to-coordinate activity? Join us in our cozy children’s book nook with comfy kid-sized cushions, a bevy of stuffed animals and lively readers.

Afterward, families can enjoy a special children's tour of the garden led by a docent. Be sure to bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.

This event is suitable for children ages 4-8. Held on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of every month at 10:30 am, Story Time lasts approximately 30 minutes. The tour leaves the Library at 11. The Library also has an excellent collection of books for children on plants, natural history, general science, and nature-related myths and stories.

2010 Storytime Schedule:
Recommended Reading

New Books and Old Favorites Including a Featured Book each month.

January 3rd and 17th
February 7th and 21st
February 13: Lunar New Year Storytime
March 7th and 21st
April 18th
May 2nd and 16th
June 6th and 20th
July 11th and 18th
August 1st and 15th
September 4th and 18th
October 2nd and 16th
November 6th and 20st
December 4th and 18th

Find out about more events and activities for kids.

Library Orientations

Orientations can be arranged by appointment for interested groups.

CBHL Member of the Council on Botanical and Horticultural Libraries An international organization whose purpose is to initiate and improve communications among persons and institutions concerned with the development, maintenance and use of libraries of botanical and horticultural literature.