Symbolism in Asian Gardens Lecture Hosted by Belz Museum
Contact: Nancy Knight, Director 901-523-ARTS (2787). nancy.knight@belzmuseum.org
MEMPHIS, Tennessee May 18, 2010---Belz Museum of Asian & Judaic Art will host a gardening lecture by the Dierector of Horticulture for The Dixon Gallery and Gardens, Mr. Dale Skaggs.
Mr. Skaggs will discuss the symbolism within the Asian garden. His discussion will aalso include the Chinese Classical Garden with references on how the Chinese designed their gardens as places for solitary or social contemplation of nature. Plants were also used as symbols and were selected based on their individual representations. Eventually, the English became influenced by Asian garden design and began to incorporate these elements into their own gardens.
Dale Skaggs is a native Memphian who operated his own landscape/ garden contracting business and was an adjunct faculty member at Memphis’ Southwest Tennessee Community College, teaching woody and herbaceous plant identification courses. In 2001, he earned a B.S. degree in horticulture, with a minor in botany, from Oregon State University. Since his return home to Memphis in 2005 after eight years in Oregon, he has worked in a variety of positions. He is currently the Director of Horticulture for The Dixon Gallery and Gardens.
Symbolism in Asian Gardens will take place on Thursday, May 27, 2010 from noon until 1:00 p.m. Free with regular museum admission (Adults-$6, Seniors-$5, Students-$4) Reservations recommended but not required. Please contact the museum for details at 901-523-ARTS (2787). www.belzmuseum.org.
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Belz Museum of Asian & Judaic Art, founded in 1998, houses the largest and most comprehensive collection of Asian art in the southern region of the United States. The collection of more than 900 objects, which range in date from 202 BC to the early twentieth century, includes intricately carved jades and ivories, paintings, ceramics, textiles and funerary art. In addition to the Asian collection, the collection of Judaica (historical and literal pieces relating to Judaism) reflects the artistic journey of some of Israel’s most celebrated contemporary artists including, Daniel Kafri and Ofra Friedland.