The Planting Fields Stand: Exhibition Opening

The Planting Fields Stand: Exhibition Opening
Saturday, September 20
11am – 1:30pm
Location: Outside the Main Greenhouse’s rear entrance
FREE with registration

Join us for the opening celebration of The Planting Fields Stand, by 2025 Catalyst artist, Sam Van Aken!

Van Aken has inspired audiences worldwide, with features in National Geographic and TED Talks. His distinct works have been showcased at the Smithsonian Design Triennial, the New York Botanical Garden, the Cube Design Museum in the Netherlands, and beyond. He is widely recognized for his groundbreaking Open Orchard on Governors Island.

The Planting Fields Stand features a living art installation of four multi-grafted fruit trees that tell the layered story of the landscape at Planting Fields.

Guests are invited to join us for an afternoon outdoors to view the new exhibition, hear from Van Aken and others during a discussion on the exhibition from artistic, curatorial, and horticultural points of view, and will have the rare opportunity to explore Planting Fields Foundation’s archives to see material that inspired Van Aken’s work.

The program features local horticultural experts from Cornell Cooperative Extension discussing Long Island’s agricultural history and current practices, plus hands-on sun print crafts inspired by Van Aken’s cyanotypes on view in the Main House. Guests can enjoy complimentary refreshments and seasonal artisanal donuts from our sponsor Duck Donuts, with additional food for purchase from Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream and Cement Coffee.

Visit the second floor of the Main House, where Van Aken’s companion exhibition is on view, featuring cyanotypes and herbarium specimens that provide deeper insight into his practice, expanding on the themes of ecology, art, and preservation.

In the Visitor Center, discover how The Planting Fields Stand was created, with large-scale tree graft diagrams and an introduction to the artist’s grafting tools and techniques.

Event Schedule
11am – 12pm: Exhibition opens – refreshments and crafts
12 – 12:30pm: Discussion with artist Sam Van Aken, Planting Fields Foundation President and CEO, Gina J. Wouters, and Planting Fields Arboretum Assistant Director, Michael Ahern
12:30 – 1:30pm: Planting Fields Foundation Archives open for viewing (capacity limitations apply)
1 – 4pm: Self-guided tours of additional work by Sam Van Aken in the Main House (free with registration to this event)

What to Expect
– Enjoy a 30-minute panel discussion with artist Sam Van Aken, Planting Fields Foundation President and CEO, Gina J. Wouters, and Planting Fields Arboretum Assistant Director, Michael Ahern, where participants will discuss the exhibition from artistic, curatorial, and horticultural points of view.
– Learn about rare fruit varieties and the importance of biodiversity from local experts at Cornell Cooperative Extension, Nassau County.
– Enjoy a hands-on cyanotype craft inspired by Sam Van Aken’s botanical cyanotypes (photographic printing process that creates blue monochrome images) on view in the Main House – fun and educational for all ages!
– Explore archival materials that inspired the exhibition inside Planting Fields Foundation’s archives.
– Sample seasonal gourmet donuts from our partners at Duck Donuts as well as refreshments available for purchase from Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream and the Mighty Bean Coffee Truck!
– Pick up native gardening tips and antique recipes.
– Visit the Main House for a free self-guided tour to see more of Sam Van Aken’s innovative work (free with registration to this exhibition opening).

Note: The archives have limited capacity (15 people at a time), so brief wait times may occur. We appreciate your patience!

This exhibition opening will take place outdoors, at the site of The Planting Fields Stand. Please reference the map below!

About Catalyst
Every year since 2020, Planting Fields Foundation has commissioned artists to create site-specific art within the 409-acres of Planting Fields. We launched Catalyst to continue the legacy of artistic patronage the Coe family brought to Planting Fields over a century ago by inviting leading artists of their time to create work for the site. Through Catalyst, we challenge and expand our relationships with history as we explore this site from different points of view.

Accessibility
The Visitor Parking Lot is wheelchair accessible and if you should need any special accommodation, please contact us in advance.

For questions or more information, contact: Lilly McGurk, Stewardship Director, Lmcgurk@plantingfields.org

We look forward to celebrating with you!

By registering for this event, you consent to Planting Fields Foundation photographing and filming during the event. These images may be used for promotional purposes, including social media, on our website, newsletters, grant requests, reports. As it may not be feasible to identify individuals who may wish to opt out, your registration implies your consent to be photographed. If you have any concerns, please contact us at lmcgurk@plantingfields.org.

Thank you to our sponsors and partners!