Annual Theme Info

'Eye of the Garden'

Show to also feature Alien Nature's floral macrophotography artistry Rochester, NY – The area's most creative landscapers will take up a special challenge as they interpret "Eye of the Garden," the theme for GardenScape 2010, to be held March 11-14 at the Dome Center in Henrietta.

Visitors to GardenScape 2010 will be treated to 20 artistically landscaped gardens that combine color, beauty and an almost mystical aura in this 19th annual flower and garden show produced by the GardenScape Professionals Association. They will also enjoy the breathtaking works of Alien Nature, an artistic exhibit of the macrophotography of flowers by New York City artists Roderigo Pedrolli and Michael Murphree.

"The concept for 'Eye of the Garden' is drawn from Trompe l'oeil, an art genre that involves creating realistic images to effect an optical illusion, causing twodimensional illustrations to appear three-dimensional," said GardenScape show manager Sarah Burchell. "Inspiration is also derived from the works of M.C. Esher, Salvador Dali and others.

"Imagine the energy, excitement and charged atmosphere of a powerful storm," Burchell said. "Then, suddenly, the sky seems to clear for a brief instant and serenity is restored. This year's show is all about that "Hmmmm...Ahhhh" moment!"

The addition of Alien Nature brings a whole new dimension to GardenScape 2010, presenting works that offer a compelling, fresh photographic look at flowers and nature "manipulated and transformed into pieces that are dynamic, exotic and sometimes erotic -- a surreal look at everyday common flora."

Alien Nature has been featured in Art In America Magazine, Garden Design Magazine, Florist Monthly and The Garden, Official Magazine of the Royal Horticultural Society of London. Alien Nature has exhibited at the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens, South Beach Botanical Gardens, Missouri Botanical Gardens, International Photography Hall of Fame and Museum, and Lyric Theater of New York as well as many international venues.

In addition to the garden displays, more than 100 vendors will be on hand, and daily seminars will feature local and national horticultural experts. The show offers a new and improved interactive Children's Garden, special early bird tours, a Friday evening "Sock Hop into Spring" with live music, a Saturday evening wedding, and daily entertainment by local musicians and actors.

Again this year, a special preview party entitled "A Taste of Spring" will be held on Wednesday, March 10, from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. to benefit the Epilepsy Foundation. Tickets are $50 (available in advance only) and may be purchased online at www.epilepsy-uny.org.

GardenScape is a not-for-profit organization whose proceeds from the show help support public and educational projects such as the Epilepsy Foundation, Cornell Cooperative Extension and the Ronald McDonald House. For more information on the show, including ticket pricing, go to www.rochesterflowershow.com or call 585-265-9018.