The Daily Dig

“Art and Music in the Gardens at Lake Merritt,” June 4 & 5. Artists and Gardeners present this signature event in the Beautiful Multi-Acre Gardens in Lake Merritts Lakeside Park — Admission is Free

“Art and Music in the Gardens” brings together Oakland’s vibrant art and gardening communities in a signature event hosted in the multi-acre Gardens at Lake Merritt and Lakeside Park Garden Center, 666 Bellevue, Avenue, June 4-5, 10am-6pm.

Food court featuring Chef Robert Dorsey III of Blue Oak at the Oakland Museum of California

More than 50 artists will be featured, showing and selling their art in the Garden Center and the Gardens. Event Honoree Chair and noted muralist Dan Fontes will lead a giant butterfly painting event in the Gardens.

Musical ensembles, playing acoustically under the redwood trees, will delight families with classical, jazz, folk, blues, and ancient Japanese flute. A Poetry Festival will include an afternoon series of Oakland poets reading under the old oak tree; an all day Zine exchange booth (bring one -- take one home) and a morning ekphrasia (writing about the art) open to all wishing to participate.

Folk Music in the Garden

Ancient Japanese Flute Performance in the Bonsai Garden

Classical Musical Ensemble Under the Oaks

Also taking place throughout the weekend in the Gardens’ 11 horticultural collections (several are nationally renowned) will be gardening talks, exhibits and demonstrations: Alameda County Master Gardener’s in the Edible Garden, pruning demonstrations in the Japanese Gardens, along with Bonsai trimming and landscape design tips for the East Bay. The Gardens at Lake Merritt were recently named a Top Five California Public Garden by AAA’s “via Magazine.” Edible Garden talk hosted by the Alameda County Master Gardener’s

Delicious picnic fare will be available from Chef Robert Dorsey III of Blue Oak at the Oakland Museum of California. Free to the public, the two-day event is being produced by the Friends of the Gardens at Lake Merritt (FGLM), Arts and Creative Expression (ACE) and the City of Oakland.
Sensory Garden

“This event celebrates and builds awareness of these special gardens in Oakland, which are a hidden jewel in the middle of the city,” said Bruce Cobbledick, President of the Friends of the Gardens at Lake Merritt. “The Gardens are a magnificent venue for combining the love and appreciation of art and nature – for beauty, for satisfaction, and for health,” added Jerry Miller, Chair of this year’s event. Bonsai Pruning Demonstration

Torii Gate

Through sponsorships, contributions, a silent auction, presenter fees, and food and art sales, the event will raise funds for the renewal and preservation this invaluable Oakland community asset.

About the Lakeside Garden Center and the Gardens at Lake Merritt
Known as the “green heart of Oakland,” the Garden Center and Gardens at Lake Merritt originated in 1957. Seven acres of themed gardens include: the Bonsai, Edible, Japanese,Mediterranean, Palmetum, Rhododendron, Sensory, Succulent, Torii Gate and Vireya Display Gardens. Plans are underway for a butterfly house, featuring many endangered California butterfly species. Address: 666 Bellevue, off Grand Avenue in Lakeside Park.

Succulent Garden

A view of the Lakeside Palmetum seen from the Mediterranean Garden

Lakeside Palmetum

New Japanese Garden Fence by Jay van Arsdale, master of traditional Japanese Woodworking. Assisted by the Laney College Joinery Class Students.

Touch, Scent, and Sound in the Sensory Garden

Mediterranean Garden

Vireya Display Gardens

About Friends of the Gardens at Lake Merritt (FGLM)

Friends of the Gardens at Lake Merritt is a volunteer group that helps oversee the strategic development of a visionary, broad-scale garden plan and fosters hand-in-the-dirt community involvement. Its objectives are to increase awareness of this Oakland jewel, raise funds and develop a city-wide volunteer force. For more information about the Gardens and “Art and Music in the Gardens” please visit www.gardensatlakemerritt.org.
Mediterranean Garden

Mediterranean Garden

About Arts and Creative Expression (ACE)
ACE Arts works with communities and organizations to bring fundamental art skills and materials to under served populations that may not otherwise have access to many artistic forms of expression. They team professional artists with community participants to create a body of work. Upon completion, the works are presented to the public in celebration.

Japanese Garden

The City Of Oakland
The Friends of the Gardens at Lake Merritt appreciate and thank the City of Oakland, Oakland Parks and Recreation, Oakland Public Works Agency and community volunteers who together have transformed this outstanding community asset for all Oaklanders.

Mediterranean Garden

The Historic Easterbrook Fountain the centerpiece of the Mediterranean Garden

Sensory Garden

“Art and Music in the Gardens” brings together Oakland’s vibrant art and gardening communities in a signature event hosted in the multi-acre Gardens at Lake Merritt and Lakeside Park Garden Center, 666 Bellevue, Avenue, June 4-5, 10am-6pm.

Admission is Free