October 12 2017 Kelly Bentley Chair Interpretive Project Grants

october 12, 2017 kelly bentley, chair interpretive project grants committee toronto zoo 361a old finch ave, toronto on, m1b5k7

October 12, 2017
Kelly Bentley, Chair
Interpretive Project Grants Committee
Toronto Zoo
361A Old Finch Ave,
Toronto ON, M1B5K7, Canada
Dear Kelly:
We had a very successful Nature Connects exhibit at the Cleveland
Botanical Garden which ran May 27 through Aug 27 featuring 13
sculptures built with nearly 500,000 LEGO bricks by artist Sean
Kenney. Thank you again for the NAI grant in the amount of $750. These
dollars really helped us enhance our educational messaging for the
exhibit. We engaged 52,000 visitors with messaging related to the
interconnectivity between plants and animals as well as adaptations
that help ensure their survival. A few of the sculptures such as the
grandfather and grandchild gardening allowed us to highlight the
importance of maintaining human relationships through connections with
the earth.
Interpretation included a mural for the Eppig Gallery which all
visitors passed by on their way to the sculptures. The mural
introduced the exhibit and the adaptation theme. Each sculpture was
located in an appropriate ecological setting within the 10 acre garden
and glasshouse. Messaging for each was highlighted through an
interpretive sign. In addition a booklet for visitors was also
produced to encourage interaction through hands-on activities related
to the sculptures. The booklet was very popular, especially for family
groups.
We received considerable publicity for the show, including coverage by
the Plain Dealer and a video report on Cool Cleveland (links below).
http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2017/05/nature_connects_art_with_lego.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwEUsgPaGGo
I’ve attached several images of the interpretation and will send along
a copy of the booklet with a hard copy of this letter.
Sincerely,
Marian B. Williams
VP Education
Holden Forests and Garden