By Alisha Proffitt • Photos by Matt Johnson
Summer 2024 marked the debut of L+A+N+D at Bernheim Forest and Arboretum, an immersive outdoor exhibition with art installations addressing humans’ connection to nature, beauty in the landscape, biodiversity, conservation, sustainability,and climate change. The latest art initiative opened to the public on October 12th, showcasing bold installations that explore our connection to nature. Adding a fresh approach to Bernheim’s Arts in Nature program — even the most sophisticated connoisseur will leave with a bit of earth under their nails and a spark in their soul. Just as the forest changes with the seasons, so will the exhibit, with annual additions and ephemeral pieces that appear fleeting, as natural cycles often are.
Inspired by the International Garden Festivals at Jardins de Métis in Quebec and Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire in France, L+A+N+D draws from decades of artistic collaborations, bringing together architects, designers, and artists from every hemisphere. (“Explore L+A+N+D at Bernheim | Bernheim Forest and Arboretum”) Visitors can wander these installations like a modern-day Thoreau, pondering the dance between wilderness and whimsy. Bernheim’s President and CEO, Dr. Mark K. Wourms, sums it up perfectly: “Bernheim Forest and Arboretum has been a sanctuary for nature enthusiasts and a source of inspiration for researchers and artists for the past 95 years. We are proud to have upheld Isaac Wolfe Bernheim’s vision and are excited to continue delivering meaningful experiences that foster a deep appreciation for our natural world.”
Bernheim’s latest Arts in Nature experience is not a mere walk through the woods; it’s a conversation about the planet. L+A+N+D is an encounter with art in the wild that feels as organic as the landscape itself. Artists have woven their visions directly into Bernheim’s leafy fabric, the result is beautiful and thought-provoking.
The current artists and featured works at Bernheim’s L+A+N+D exhibition include Chrysalis by Denver-based environmental artist and activist Nikki Pike; Bernheim Burl and Sylvan Sycamore by British artist Stuart Ian Frost, currently residing in Norway; Becoming Nutrient by Colorado sculptor and 2023 Artist in Residence’ Nicole Banowetz; Within the Forest: Without the Forest by Raffy Mardirossian and Paul Matevosyan of DOMM Architecture Studio in Pasadena, California; H2OH! by Studio MAYO Architects of Louisville, Kentucky; Bloom, Wither, Repeat by Charlotte-based, award-winning artist Johnathon Pellitteri; BIOS by Chilean bio-artist Radix Lucis; and Walk in the Fictional Woods by Merve Tiryaki with T Urban Design Studio from Ankara, Turkey.
Through partnerships with creators from across the globe, L+A+N+D is positioned to grow into an ever-evolving experience, always holding space for fresh voices and perspectives. A tribute to how nature itself is the world’s greatest artist. Arts in Nature Curator, Jenny Zeller, expresses that “L+A+N+D is a natural evolution to the nature-based programming that has contributed to the organization’s mission of connecting people to nature since its founding. Celebrating 45 years in 2025, Bernheim’s Artist in Residence program has long attracted visual artists who make site-specific work inspired by their total immersion experience with the landscape that connects visitors to the natural world in new and unique ways.”
Since Isaac Wolfe Bernheim founded Bernheim Forest & Arboretum in 1929, it has grown into one of the largest private conservation areas in the eastern United States, covering over 16,000 acres. With its 40 miles of hiking trails and more than 229 bird species (and even the occasional armadillo) as well as hosting fun, educational programs for youth and adults alike, Bernheim is a naturalist’s dream and an artist’s muse. Recent enhancements to the L+A+N+D site include expanded parking, new restrooms, accessible paths, freshly designed trails, and thoughtful landscaping. Ten Tom’s Circle and Magruder Meadow roads have been closed to car traffic and transformed into a multipurpose path, welcoming pedestrians and cyclists alike. As Bernheim celebrates its 95th anniversary this year, it also celebrates winning the 2024 Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Award — honoring only the top 10% of destinations worldwide.
Bernheim welcomes visitors daily (excluding Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day). While members enjoy complimentary access, non-members are encouraged to contribute a $15 per car donation — a small gesture that goes a long way in preserving for future generations and the vast spectrum of life that calls Bernheim home.
Whether you’re an environmentalist, art aficionado or simply someone who finds solace among trees, this exhibition’s sentiment is as enduring as it is inspiring.
Visit bernheim.org for more information.
