Events Calendar

May 7, 2024 - 10:30am - 11:30am

IMG_8975

2024 Summer Session (June 4-August 27): Tuesdays, 10:30 am-11:30 am
2024 Fall/Winter Session (September 3-December 17): Select Tuesdays, 10:30 am-11:30 am

Tuesdays in the Garden, designed for children aged 1-3, provides a nurturing environment where children’s curiosity and wonder are extended through play and exploration, and children and their caregivers learn and discover side-by-side. Join art educators Claudia Orjuela and Denice Niebuhr for hands-on art making and all-senses-engaged exploration of the outdoor world at Lynden. We’ll consider different themes, each designed to connect Lynden’s environment with children’s interests. We will encourage experimentation and the manipulation of art and natural materials to tell stories, solve problems, and develop relationships.

Fee: $16/$12 members for one adult and one child.
Registration: Group size is limited; advance registration is required. Register online now. In the event of inclement weather, sessions move indoors.

To view a list of the session themes, click here.

May 11, 2024 - 10:00am - 4:00pm

006_MBS

FREE

World Bonsai Day was created in 2010 to honor the memory of bonsai master Saburo Kato. World Bonsai Day is for sharing the peaceful, living art of bonsai and advancing international friendship and goodwill throughout the world. We celebrate World Bonsai Day by re-opening the Bonsai Exhibit at Lynden and offering a series of introductory presentations and demonstrations. Learn about the history of bonsai and the types and species of trees used by beginners and masters.

11 am: Bonsai Presentation
1 pm: Bonsai Demonstration
3 pm: Bonsai Presentation

Following the opening, the Bonsai Pavilion, which houses the collection of the Milwaukee Bonsai Foundation, will be open to the public Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 10 am-4 pm, and by appointment, from May to October.

May 12, 2024 - 10:00am - 11:30am

IMG_9655

Fee: $10/$5 members. Advance registration available but not required. Click here to register.

Join poet and Wisconsin Master Naturalist volunteer Chuck Stebelton on the second Sunday of each month to bird by eye and ear with a focus on the life histories of wild birds. We’ll watch for seasonal migrants and resident bird species and seek out the best bird habitats to identify as many species as we can. Please dress for the weather and plan to walk in varied terrain. Bring your binoculars and field guides if you have them; no previous birding experience required.

Click here to listen to Chuck Stebelton discuss his 'spark bird,' the Northern Flicker, on WUWM.

About Chuck Stebelton

Chuck Stebelton is author most recently of One Hundred Patterns & Three Heuristics (Green Gallery Press, 2023). His previous poetry collections include An Apostle Island (Oxeye Press, 2021), The Platformist (Cultural Society, 2012), and Circulation Flowers (Tougher Disguises, 2005). He currently serves as Project Manager at Woodland Pattern Book Center, a nonprofit literary arts organization in Milwaukee. As a Wisconsin Master Naturalist volunteer, he has led workshops and field trips for nonprofit organizations and conservancy groups including Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts & Letters; Milwaukee Public Library; Woodland Pattern Book Center; Friends of Lorine Niedecker; and Lynden Sculpture Garden. He recently completed an ARTservancy artist residency with River Revitalization Foundation and has held residencies at Lynden Sculpture Garden in 2011, 2014, and from 2018 to 2024.

May 14, 2024 - 10:30am - 11:30am

IMG_8975

2024 Summer Session (June 4-August 27): Tuesdays, 10:30 am-11:30 am
2024 Fall/Winter Session (September 3-December 17): Select Tuesdays, 10:30 am-11:30 am

Tuesdays in the Garden, designed for children aged 1-3, provides a nurturing environment where children’s curiosity and wonder are extended through play and exploration, and children and their caregivers learn and discover side-by-side. Join art educators Claudia Orjuela and Denice Niebuhr for hands-on art making and all-senses-engaged exploration of the outdoor world at Lynden. We’ll consider different themes, each designed to connect Lynden’s environment with children’s interests. We will encourage experimentation and the manipulation of art and natural materials to tell stories, solve problems, and develop relationships.

Fee: $16/$12 members for one adult and one child.
Registration: Group size is limited; advance registration is required. Register online now. In the event of inclement weather, sessions move indoors.

To view a list of the session themes, click here.

May 15, 2024 - 10:30am - 11:00am

Lynden-ClaudiaOrjuela-HOMEStorytime

FREE
This is a virtual event.

HOME Multilingual Story Time features children’s books written or illustrated by artists who have faced forced displacement as refugees, asylum seekers, or immigrants, and come from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. Designed for children aged 4-8, we believe that reading picture books is a way to share and discuss big ideas with young children. We end each virtual session with an art activity from Lynden art educator Claudia Orjuela.

Scheduled to screen every third Wednesday of the month from 10:30 to 11 am, HOME Multilingual Story Time is a collaboration with the Milwaukee Public Library, Alliance Française de Milwaukee, Hanan Refugee Relief Group, the Islamic Resource Center, Milwaukee African Women's Association, Milwaukee Taiko Group Hibiki, UWM Department of French, Italian and Comparative Literature - French Program, UWM Libraries, Walker's Point Center for the Arts, and Wisconsin Ukrainians, Inc.

Videos remain on view once they are posted, and can be accessed at any time. Download our resource handout for parents, teachers, and advanced readers here.

Schedule, Recordings, and Activities

January 17, 2024: Who Are We?, written by Anneke Forzani and illustrated by Maria Russo, read in Burmese and English by Mala Lue. Archival recording. View the recording here.
February 21, 2024: The Boy Without a Name, written by Idries Shah and illustrated by Mona Caron, read in Dari/Afghan Persian and English by Khatol Nazari. View the recording here.
March 20, 2024: Un Jour, Tu Découvriras.../The Day You Began, written by Jacqueline Woodson and illustrated by Rafael López, read in French and English by Marie Sandra Aloka. View the recording here.
April 17, 2024: Flicts, written and illustrated by Ziraldo, read in Brazilian Portuguese and English by Cris Siqueira of Lion's Tooth. View the recording here.
May 15, 2024: Soñadores/Dreamers by Yuyi Morales, read in Spanish and English by Claudia Orjuela. Archival recording. View the recording here.
October 16, 2024 M is for Myanmar, written by Elizabeth Rush, and illustrated by Khin Maung Myint, read in Burmese and English by Mala Nan Leth. View the recording here.
November 20, 2024 El Día de los Muertos/The Day of the Dead: A Bilingual Celebration, written by Bob Barner, read in Spanish and English by Claudia Orjuela.
December 11, 2024 Maybe Something Beautiful: How Art Transformed a Neighborhood / Quizás Algo Hermoso. Cómo el Arte Transformó un Barrio, written by Isabel Campoy and Theresa Howell, and illustrated by Rafael López, read in Spanish and English by Joan Luciano.

Access prior HOME Story Time videos and activities here.

May 16, 2024 - 7:00pm - 8:00pm

January-April: No Friend but the Mountains: Writing from Manus Prison by Behrouz Boochani.
May-September: Radiance of Tomorrow by Ismael Beah.
October-January: My American Dream: A Journey from Fascism to Freedom by Barbara Sommer Feigin.

Fee: Free.
Registration: This discussion takes place via Zoom; advance registration required. Click here to register.

The Lynden/HOME Refugee Steering Committee book discussion group, moderated by Lynden’s Kim Khaira, is for those interested in firsthand accounts of displacement. We consider works of non-fiction and fiction, including autobiographical and semi-autobiographical works, by writers who have faced or are facing forced displacement as refugees, asylum seekers, and immigrants. Where stories of persecution, historical trauma, and loss of livelihood are effortlessly conveyed by storytellers, journalists, and humanitarians who search out or stumble upon the lives of refugees, we seek out the words of those to whom these stories belong: the narrators who are the closest to their own stories, and the stories of their people, friends, family and, of course, refugees. Newcomers always welcome!

May 18, 2024 - 10:00am - 4:00pm

Photo: Molly Rosenblum/Sam LaStrapes/Kodah

Visitors must adhere to our visitor guidelines.

Bring your canine friends for an afternoon of romping in the garden.

May 18, 2024 - 2:00pm - 4:00pm

Short Version of Charity Event - 2

Fee: Free; donations suggested.
Registration: Space is limited; advance registration required. Click here to register online.

The Rohingya Maìyafuìnor Collaborative Network invites you to a screening of Journey of Love, a short documentary film. Learn more about Rohingya refugees, take part in a Q&A, and enjoy refreshments.

All proceeds will support Rohingya refugees.

May 21, 2024 - 10:00am - 12:00pm

IMG_1717

Fee: Free.
Registration: Advance registration encouraged. Click here to register online. Work days are weather dependent.

Join the Lynden land team—Alyx Christensen, Robert Kaleta, and Esther Portnoy--for a volunteer work day on the grounds. The Lynden Sculpture Garden is transforming its natural habitats and formal landscapes into sustainable and diverse ecosystems that highlight the natural beauty inherent in them. The Lynden's goal is to steward healthy habitats for an array of native plants and wildlife while adding a vibrant mosaic of color and texture to this sculptural landscape through every season.

With over 40 acres and more than half a dozen specialized garden spaces, the Lynden provides many volunteer and learning opportunities, from removing invasive species to planting new trees and plugs, weeding, pruning, collecting, and spreading seeds. If you or someone you know has a few hours or are looking for regular, ongoing volunteer work that keeps you outside, you are welcome to join us. With a small land staff, volunteer help is essential to the evolution and restoration of the Lynden grounds.

Volunteers are encouraged to bring their favorite gardening gloves and digging tools (if you have them)! Water, snacks, and additional tools will be provided.

Schedule

April 23, 10 am-12 pm
In April, help us control invasive garlic mustard within the forested ravine. Learn about invasive species control and leave with a handful of garlic mustard and a recipe for Garlic Mustard Pesto as a thank you for your time.

May 21, 10 am-12 pm
In May, we are back in the ravine to control garlic mustard and the now-blooming dame’s rocket. As we move through the season, we will be tracking different species of plants as they pop up around the grounds. Catching these plants at the correct time will help prevent them from seeding and spreading next year. While we may not want dame’s rocket in our landscapes, the leaves are edible; some compare them to a "sweeter arugula" (also known as rocket) or spinach.

June 25, 10 am-12 pm
In June, we're on the lookout for white sweet clover in Lynden's prairies and savannas. This clover tends to outgrow ecologically significant species, shading out the sun-loving plants we are working to cultivate in these microhabitats. While sweet clover is not so desirable in the landscape, it can be cooked and eaten as a vegetable or dried and used for vanilla flavoring in sweets and tea.

July 23, 10 am-12 pm
In July, we're still on the lookout for white sweet clover in Lynden's prairies and savannas. This clover tends to outgrow ecologically significant species, shading out the sun-loving plants we are working to cultivate in these microhabitats. While sweet clover is not so desirable in the landscape, it can be cooked and eaten as a vegetable or dried and used for vanilla flavoring in sweets and tea. We will also be watching for wild oregano, particularly in and around the labyrinth. Help us remove this vigorously spreading but pleasantly pungent plant to make way for native Wisconsin prairie. While we prefer to not keep this oregano in our natural areas, it can be a good companion in the form of fresh tea or when dried and used as a spice. Wild oregano is also thought to have some properties that are beneficial to human health.

August 27, 10 am-12 pm
In 2019, artist Jenna Knapp and the Lynden land team created a five-circuit walking labyrinth, 69 feet in diameter. Thoughtfully “nestled away from Lynden’s formal lawn, this labyrinth is carved into the tall grasses of the native prairie and evolves with the seasons, peaking in the early fall when the field is bright with goldenrod." In
August, we will spend some reflective time in Lynden’s labyrinth while also encouraging the native prairie plants to fill out by removing competitors like wild oregano, Queen Anne’s lace, Shasta/oxeye daisies, turf grass, and smooth bromegrass.

September 24, 10 am-12 pm
Lynden’s back areas are not open to the public, but they are home to heritage oaks and other unique tree species, ephemeral and native herbaceous species, and many land restoration projects. In September, we will take you behind the scenes to clear paths to ensure that staff can continue to traverse these landscapes, tending to projects and plant life.

October 22, 10 am-12 pm
This fall we hope to add about 30 new trees to the Lynden landscape. While much of our 40 acres consists of sculptures on mowed lawn and landscaped gardens, we also have a robust tree catalog of nearly 100 different species. With so many trees, there is constant maintenance and replenishing to be done, as some trees age or get sick and new ones get planted, strengthening the various ecosystems. Tasks that will be completed consist of digging holes, moving and planting trees ranging from 3-5 feet in height, and mulching them in to protect their roots.

November 12, 10 am-12 pm
Winter is a critical time for managing buckthorn, one of the most persistent and prolific plant species that competes against diverse plant ecosystems. Buckthorn has characteristics that allow it to outcompete other plant species; it grows and matures much faster than other plants and rapidly colonizes, leaving little time or room for the growth of anything else. In November, we will be on the eastern side of the grounds, tending the understory of our, within the understory of our paper birch island by manually removing buckthorn using the “cut-stump” method. This will clear the area and relieve competition for future native plantings.

May 21, 2024 - 10:30am - 11:30am

IMG_8975

2024 Summer Session (June 4-August 27): Tuesdays, 10:30 am-11:30 am
2024 Fall/Winter Session (September 3-December 17): Select Tuesdays, 10:30 am-11:30 am

Tuesdays in the Garden, designed for children aged 1-3, provides a nurturing environment where children’s curiosity and wonder are extended through play and exploration, and children and their caregivers learn and discover side-by-side. Join art educators Claudia Orjuela and Denice Niebuhr for hands-on art making and all-senses-engaged exploration of the outdoor world at Lynden. We’ll consider different themes, each designed to connect Lynden’s environment with children’s interests. We will encourage experimentation and the manipulation of art and natural materials to tell stories, solve problems, and develop relationships.

Fee: $16/$12 members for one adult and one child.
Registration: Group size is limited; advance registration is required. Register online now. In the event of inclement weather, sessions move indoors.

To view a list of the session themes, click here.

May 23, 2024 - 10:00am - 12:00pm

IMG_3989

Fee: Free.
Registration: Advance registration required. Click here to register online. Work days are weather dependent.

Join the Lynden land team—Alyx Christensen, Robert Kaleta, and Esther Portnoy--for a volunteer work day on the grounds. The Lynden Sculpture Garden is transforming its natural habitats and formal landscapes into sustainable and diverse ecosystems that highlight the natural beauty inherent in them. The Lynden's goal is to steward healthy habitats for an array of native plants and wildlife while adding a vibrant mosaic of color and texture to this sculptural landscape through every season.

With over 40 acres and more than half a dozen specialized garden spaces, the Lynden provides many volunteer and learning opportunities, from removing invasive species to planting new trees and plugs, weeding, pruning, collecting, and spreading seeds. If you or someone you know has a few hours or are looking for regular, ongoing volunteer work that keeps you outside, you are welcome to join us. With a small land staff, volunteer help is essential to the evolution and restoration of the Lynden grounds.

Volunteers are encouraged to bring their favorite gardening gloves and digging tools (if you have them)! Water, snacks, and additional tools will be provided.

Schedule

April 25, 10 am-12 pm
In April, we will assist artist-in-residence Kim Khaira with seeding and spring cleanup in her tinctorial garden (a garden of plants that can be used in natural dyeing). Work alongside Khaira and the land team to continue with the removal of any remaining invasive species, as well as spreading seed for new dye plants to grow. Khaira will introduce the native plants she has chosen for the garden, including the significance of the seeds chosen, and talk about their many uses beyond their role in natural dyes.

May 23, 10 am-12 pm
Lynden’s two forested ravines are treasures: shady oases in the summer, home to many species of tree and plant life. Unfortunately, some of the older transplants are crowding out native species. In May, we will be removing daylilies from the upper ravine and learning about how to replace this fast-spreading plant with other, pollinator-friendly options.

June 27, 10 am-12 pm
Now that the fragrant lilac bloom has ended, it's time to prune all the dried-up buds. Pruning spent lilac buds helps promote the growth of more flowers next year. Spend a couple of hours in the formal gardens with us sprucing up the lilacs and learning about blending native and non-native plants to enhance the beauty and pollinator value of the aesthetic gardens here at the Lynden.

July 25, 10 am-12 pm
Upon your arrival at the Lynden Sculpture Garden, you are greeted by a picturesque waterfall and formally landscaped hill, home to an array of unique shade-loving perennial species, evergreens, and shrubs. Waterfall Hill has undergone many changes as we work to incorporate this small ecology into the larger Lynden landscape and to create a design that serves as an introduction to the tranquillity and the excitement that unfolds across the grounds. One month into summer, we are knee-deep in peak growing season and could use your help keeping Waterfall Hill tidy.

August 29, 10 am-12 pm
On the western edge of Lynden’s formal gardens, leading up to and embracing The Bremen Town Musicians, is our annual display garden. This traditionally styled garden plays with symmetry, structure, and color using annually grown plant species—species that don’t survive the Wisconsin winter--and it changes each year. Annuals play an important role in feeding pollinating insects because they bloom throughout the growing season. This is also a garden that accentuates a sculptural focal point, making an impact on visitors. In addition to acknowledging that flowers play an important role in pollination and visual engagement, we also like to understand and encourage the many functional uses of the plant communities we engage with. As we weed, prune, and deadhead the annual garden, we will be collecting the plant detritus to create floral teas or bath soaks to take home.

September 26, 10 am-12 pm
The stone path leading up to the patio is nestled between an evolving native shade garden and a sprawling beech tree that is more than 100 years old. In September, we will be removing thistles and dandelions and sprucing up this welcoming walkway. We will also let you in on our new plans for this area. While standing under such majestic trees as the beech or the neighboring elms is always awe-inspiring, over time our steps have been compressing soil and root structures, leaving little space for them to breathe. In 2024 we plan to extend the walkway garden to encircle the beech tree. This will minimize traffic under the tree, and adding plants will help support the beech tree's roots by regulating water availability and giving the soil a chance to recover through herbaceous plant root development. Not to mention adding plant diversity for the other living species we host at the Lynden. It will be a healthier and more beautiful environment for all, and we look forward to including you in that growth next season.

October 24, 10 am-12 pm
This fall we hope to add about 30 new trees to the Lynden landscape. While much of our 40 acres consists of sculptures on mowed lawn and landscaped gardens, we also have a robust tree catalog of nearly 100 different species. With so many trees, there is constant maintenance and replenishing to be done, as some trees age or get sick and new ones get planted, strengthening the various ecosystems. Tasks that will be completed consist of digging holes, moving and planting trees ranging from 3-5 feet in height, and mulching them in to protect their roots.

November 14, 10 am-12 pm
In November, we shield the soil from the harsh winter conditions by spreading fallen leaves and tucking in all the bare spots within the gardens. This leaf mulch—which we will till into the ground next spring before planting--will protect the top layers of soil, reintroduce nutrients, and boost fertility for next season’s barrage of flowers. Join us for one last garden work day as we say goodnight to the gardens until spring, jump in crisp piles of leaves, and enjoy the musty scents of autumn.

May 23, 2024 - 7:00pm - 8:30pm

Fee: $25/$20 members
Registration: Sold out. To be added to the waitlist, email staff@lyndensculpturegarden.org or call 414-446-8794.

BLOOM_SBLW

Join artist-in-residence Jenna Knapp and collaborator Sevan Arabajian under May's Flower Full Moon as we kick off the fifth season of lunar sound baths and sunset walks. After enduring the Wisconsin winter we'll take some time to pause and honor the magic of spring. Here we’ll use the full moon energy to expand into our potential and pleasure, and to pause to enjoy the feelings of possibility in the air through deep rest and receiving. Then, like confetti, we'll take a flower walk at sunset in the labyrinth and color the paths with our offerings of gratitude.

Sound baths are an ancient form of healing and deep meditation; they include various ambient sounds and frequencies playing in a space where you can hear and experience their vibrations moving through you. Everyone’s experience will be different; unique as you are, and according to what is needed most at the time. Your sound facilitator for the evening will be Milwaukee’s own Sevan Arabajian-Ries, musician, ritualist, spiritual guide, and relational counselor.

The sound bath lasts approximately 45-60 minutes. We recommend arriving 15 minutes ahead of time to give yourself time to set up and prepare. Please bring something to rest on and to cover yourself with (if you think you’ll want that) for the duration, and dress appropriately for the weather. The labyrinth walk takes place on a hill so please consider comfortable footwear as well. A little insect repellent may be in order, too. Locally and ethically sourced flower petals will be available for the labyrinth walk and you are invited to bring along flowers that are meaningful to you, too.

2024 Sound Bath Schedule
Thursday, May 23, 2024
Thursday, June 20, 2024
Sunday, July 21, 2024
Monday, August 19, 2024
Wednesday, September 18, 2024
Wednesday, October 2, 2024

May 24, 2024 - 8:00pm

IMG_0837

A Walk with Claudia Orjuela

Sessions:
Snow Moon, Saturday, February 24, 2024, 6 pm
Worm Moon, Sunday, March 24, 2024, 7 pm
Pink Moon, Friday, April 26, 2024, 7:30 pm
Flower Moon, Friday, May 24, 2024, 8 pm - canceled due to weather

Fee: $10 per session/$5 per session for Lynden members. Children under 6 are free.
Registration: Space is limited; advance registration required. Register online or by phone at 414-446-8794. We will make a final decision about running each moon walk after checking the forecast on the morning of the walk. High winds, extreme temperatures, and precipitation beyond a light drizzle will lead to the cancellation of a walk. If we cancel a walk due to weather conditions, you will receive a full refund.

Come walk Lynden's grounds with art educator and naturalist Claudia Orjuela, who will introduce you to the mysteries and unique features of outdoor life after dark. Discover the sights and sounds of the night in Lynden’s back acres and observe our monumental sculptures beneath the light of the moon. A bonfire and treats await at the end.

May 28, 2024 - 10:30am - 11:30am

IMG_8975

2024 Summer Session (June 4-August 27): Tuesdays, 10:30 am-11:30 am
2024 Fall/Winter Session (September 3-December 17): Select Tuesdays, 10:30 am-11:30 am

Tuesdays in the Garden, designed for children aged 1-3, provides a nurturing environment where children’s curiosity and wonder are extended through play and exploration, and children and their caregivers learn and discover side-by-side. Join art educators Claudia Orjuela and Denice Niebuhr for hands-on art making and all-senses-engaged exploration of the outdoor world at Lynden. We’ll consider different themes, each designed to connect Lynden’s environment with children’s interests. We will encourage experimentation and the manipulation of art and natural materials to tell stories, solve problems, and develop relationships.

Fee: $16/$12 members for one adult and one child.
Registration: Group size is limited; advance registration is required. Register online now. In the event of inclement weather, sessions move indoors.

To view a list of the session themes, click here.


©2024 Lynden Sculpture Garden