Art in the Gardens

August 2 and 3, 2025
Art  .  Music  .  Entertainment  .  Food  .  Wine  .  Beer
Featured Artist  |  Virginia Ray

Tickets available by mid-May

The 32nd annual Art in the Gardens at Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens will take place on Saturday, August 2 and Sunday, August 3. Join us in a celebration of creative expression and gorgeous gardens. Mingle with more than 50 artists and enjoy live music, entertainment, and dramatic summertime blooms. Food, craft brews, and wine will be available for purchase.

2025 Featured Artist
Assemblage Artist, Virginia Ray

Virginia Ray has spent most of her life along the California coast including San Diego, Santa Cruz, Marin County, and for the last 7 years, the historic town of Fort Bragg in Mendocino County, steps from Sea Glass Beach. Also, a  lover of the nature preserve, Wilbur Hot Springs, where she has been a long time visiting artist. 

From the artist
Curious and imaginative, I love studying ordinary and mysterious objects found in our everyday life and the natural world. Sharing new ways of seeing through my whimsically meditative assemblage style wall sculptures, prayer flags and interactive public works is one of my lifelong inspirations.

The art of placement, making sense out of seemingly unrelated items is like a game or a puzzle. Through deep observation and play, I've learned how to capture life's magical spark. Enjoy the treasure hunt quality of my art.  May you recognize the grace and beauty ever present in ordinary life.

2025 Featured Artwork

Portal by Virginia Ray
30” x 30” x 4.25”; Assemblage with vintage port hole window
$2,000 plus tax

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Sponsorship of this major annual fundraiser supports the Gardens and our mission to engage and enrich lives by displaying and conserving plants in harmony with our Northern California coastal ecosystems and to preserve public access to the coast. Please help us to maintain this world-class garden — a place for our community to find inspiration in nature. Partner with us in a celebration of creative expression, gorgeous gardens, music, food, and drink that attracts as many as 1,500 guests each year!

To receive the full recognition of your sponsorship, please join as a sponsor by July 1. For more information or to discuss designing a specific sponsorship package, please contact our Event Coordinator, Shaly Borgen events@gardenbythesea.org.