Monday, May 19, 2025
Bailey Arboretum hosted an engaging art presentation titled "Landscapes in Art History" to commemorate Earth Day on April 22.
The event, organized by Susan Giordano, a trustee at the arboretum, aimed to blend the beauty of landscape art with the serene surroundings of Bailey Arboretum.
Giordano, who joined the board this past winter, expressed her enthusiasm for helping to encourage attendance at the arboretum through cultural events like the presentation.
"I wanted to bring a new spark to Bailey Arboretum with a lecture series," Giordano explained. "We’re hoping that we can institute this into Bailey every couple of months to wake up the people who haven’t been there in a while, and just bring it to life again."
The presentation was led by Leonard Antinori, a seasoned artist and teacher with an extensive background in fine arts education.
Antinori, who taught at Molloy College and St. Francis Preparatory School in Queens, delved into the evolution of landscape painting from ancient Rome to modern times.
The event, originally scheduled as two sessions, featured a comprehensive single session due to logistical adjustments. Attendees experienced a journey through art history, interspersed with refreshments and opportunities to explore the arboretum's grounds.
"This is just one interpretation of experiencing and connecting to our natural surroundings," Giordano, who has a background in art and landscape design, emphasized. "If we don’t connect to our natural surroundings, we’re not really doing justice to ourselves. We are nature, so we must be aware of what is on the outside as well as who we are on the inside."
Funds raised from the event will contribute to the arboretum's general maintenance and potential future projects, including rejuvenating the children's garden. Giordano hinted at future plans for more engaging activities at the arboretum, such as themed lectures and interactive workshops.
"We’re trying to kick off a lecture series," Giordano added. "I’m hoping to institute a lecture on the Gatsby era, and I would love to have painting in the garden. So we have some exciting things planned."
For more information and ticket reservations, visit Bailey Arboretum's website at BaileyArboretum.org/events.
