Press Releases

Charlie Briggs, custom woodcarver, will spend an afternoon at Laurelwood Arboretum on Saturday, August 24. He will demonstrate techniques including carving in the round, relief carving, chip carving and wood burning. Visitors to the park are invited to try to find Charlie in the arboretum to see his demonstration.

Friends of Laurelwood Arboretum’s annual Festival of Friends fundraiser celebrates the 70th anniversary of the establishment of what is now known as Laurelwood Arboretum by Dorothy and John Knipppenberg in 1949. The Festival will feature an exhibit of paintings and photographs by local artists and photographers.

Friends of Laurelwood Arboretum will host an exhibit of photographs by Lorraine Meyer from August 11 through September 8. The Opening Reception for the exhibit is scheduled for Sunday, August 11. Meyer’s exhibit will feature works that represent her variety of photographic interests as well as Laurelwood’s rich landscape.

Friends of Laurelwood Arboretum will welcome families to a free Bees and Butterflies Day on Sunday, August 4th. A film, “Bees — Tales from the Hive,” features up-close footage of a working bee colony. This will be followed by a talk by Jim LaConte about the intricate workings of a managed colony.

Friends of Laurelwood Arboretum will host an exhibit of photographs of large-scale sculptures by Paul Sisko, metal sculptor and wood and metal furniture artisan. The photographs will be on display from July 2 through July 31 at the Knippenberg Center

Fairies and elves invited to put on their “fairy best” on Sunday, June 23, and be welcomed by Pixie Pop the clown to a magical event that includes face painting, fairy crafts, rock painting, decorating a fairy house, and fairy story time.

Friends of Laurelwood Arboretum invites nature lovers and walkers to a meditation walk through Laurelwood Arboretum on Tuesday, June 18. Enjoy a quiet time in the gardens on a cool late afternoon. The walk will be led by a volunteer guide.

Friends of Laurelwood Arboretum will offer free guided tours of Laurelwood Arboretum on Sunday, June 16. It is an ideal opportunity to enjoy the first blooms of summer in the arboretum. Trained tour guides will lead visitors through the arboretum, identifying many of the unique trees and plantings.

Artist and graphic designer Merrill Crowell will teach a 3-session series of watercolor classes on June 10, 17 and 24. Participants will learn time-tested techniques for using this fluid, transparent medium effectively. The series will cover material selection, preparation, color choice and mixing, and composition, plus how to create the illusion of distance in a painting.

Friends of Laurelwood Arboretum will host an exhibit of artwork from all 14 Wayne Township public school students in kindergarten through 12th grade from June 9 through June 19. The Opening Reception for the exhibit is scheduled for Sunday, June 9. The exhibit showcases student achievement at the elementary, middle school, and high school levels.

Free hots dogs, ice cream, face painting, seed planting, tours, raffles and much more will welcome families on Sunday, June 2. “We hope to welcome people who love nature to this unique oasis right in the heart of Wayne. Families can explore the arboretum’s beautiful 30 acres of winding pathways lined with colorful gardens and handsome trees.”

Environmental Photographs taken by Wayne Hills and Wayne Valley High School students will be exhibited from Sunday, May 19th, through Sunday, June 2nd. Many images are photographed on site, highlighting the beauty and diversity of the grounds. The Opening Reception for the exhibit is Sunday, May 19th.