Lee Littlefield sculptures are here!!!

Lee Littlefield's colorful and playful sculptures are installed and already thrilling each visitor that visits the Dixon property. 

These unexpected bursts of blues, greens, oranges, and pinks can be seen at the entrance, in the gardens, and even on the roof of the Dixon residence. 

The sculptures were installed Thursday and Friday morning using man power from garden staff and Littlefield's handlers. Thursday was very gloomy but the sculptures brightened the day right up! Check out a video of the process here!

Even the truck that transported the sculptures looked bright and fun, and most of the sculptures were not even unwrapped yet.

Littlefield was a narrative painter for thirty years before moving toward sculpture in 1983. Littlefield has said that "the look of both my indoor and outdoor sculptures lies between reality and the Little Shop of Horrors." 

We can't wait for you to visit the Dixon and see these exciting sculptures in person. Littlefield's indoor sculptures will open on April 15 and offer even more bayou inspired colorful creations. 

Don't miss your chance to see Lee Littlefield: Big Texas Bayous in the beautiful setting of the Dixon Gardens. Come by and get inspired!

Daffodils and many more blossoms are blooming NOW!!

The daffodils are in bloom and the gardens are beautiful.

 

 Check out other blossoms sprouting up in the Dixon gardens this month!

Don't wait another day, these blooms won't be on view forever! 

Come by the Dixon and see this amazing exhibition of flowers!

Flower photos were taken Thursday, March 1, 2012

Spring comes early to the Dixon!

The garden staff works diligently each fall/winter to plant as many bulbs as possible to guarantee a glorious spring showing of flowers and blooms throughout the Dixon property. Our garden staff are some of the hardest working people in Memphis and they control a lot of what you love about the Dixon!

Something the garden staff cannot control, however, is Mother Nature! She has a mind of her own! This year's weather has been unpredictable and the Dixon gardens are sporting blooms sooner than we would have hoped.

So, spring has come a bit early this year, same as it did last year, but we aren't fighting it! We are enjoying it! We want you to enjoy it too!

Daffodils, cabbages(yep, you read that right), and many more blooms have popped up around the Dixon, and we want you to see all of their spring glory - even if it isn't quite spring!

Join us every Saturday morning and walk the gardens for free until noon. Tuesday is pay what you can day  - pay a donation and visit the gardens every Tuesday! Allow plenty of time to see the exhibitions too! Then mark your calendars for these upcoming garden events!

Reserve your spot at the Rose Seminar on March 10. Munch and learn with Michael Shadrack as he discusses Eight English Gardens at noon, March 14. Join us for Art After Dark March 15 as we Toast the Daffodils! Sign up for the Watercolor Workshop to paint "en plein" air in the gardens on March 16 and 17!

See our garden calendar for more garden events and come by to have an early taste of Spring!

Flower photos were taken Thursday, February 23, 2012

Rembrandt to Rubens Family Day was "Golden"!

Saturday's Family Day, inspired by our exhibition - Rembrandt, Rubens and the Golden Age of Painting, was loads of fun. From the art activities to the games and contests, there was no better place to be Saturday morning than the Dixon. 

Smiling faces and concentrating stares could be found in every gallery during our scavenger hunt and activities.

 

 

An exciting juggling show and a fantastic band were set up in the auditorium and captured the amazement and entertained both young and younger......

along with a very intense "King Cake Walk" earlier in the day where winners walked away feeling like champions.

If the excitement was too much, you could always take a seat and read in our cozy reading nook, or take a stroll through the galleries to check out the exhibitions.

 

Our collaborative art activity was a huge hit with everyone who participated and to the amusement of those who didn't(you can see the finished product during Made in Dixon which opens on March 11).........

 

and the Golden Age photo op transformed each boy and girl to knights, princesses and whatever one's heart desired.

We had very special guests in the galleries....

and even more special (and slimy) guests in the garden activity room. Our cup of worms was a hit and the tulip making cup activity was the icing on the worm filled cake

Don't miss our next Garden Family Day, June 16....you never know what surprises may be waiting!