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, gorgeous gardens, wine tasting, music, and food. This year’s event will include more than 50 artists, dramatic summertime blooms, as well as entertainment by Circus Mecca and the Sonoma County Pomo Dancers. Enjoy performances by talented Mendo Coast musicians, including The Real Sarahs, Moon Rabbit, and Mama Grows Funks. Food, craft brews, and wine will be available for purchase.

While the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens is typically pet-friendly, the growing popularity and large crowds at Art in the Gardens make it unsuitable for pets, so we kindly ask that you leave them at home or arrange for doggy daycare—dogs are not allowed at the event, with the exception of service animals.

Event Pricing

Tickets will become available online and at the Gardens' gift shop in May. We highly recommend getting your tickets in advance to ensure availability. Event tickets will be available online until 8 AM the day of, at which point they will be sold at the door if we have not reached capacity. All tickets are valid between 11 AM and 5 PM on your chosen date; they are not timed. Tickets are non-refundable. Each ticket is valid for one day; if you wish to attend both days of the event, you will need a ticket for each day. Tickets for Wine Tasting are available online and at the Gardens' gift shop. They include one commemorative wine glass and unlimited wine tastings for the day.

Adult Event Ticket (age 18+).................................................. $30
Junior Event Ticket (ages 6 to 17)......................................... $15
Child Event Ticket (age 5 and younger)……….……..……….… FREE
Wine Tasting (ages 21+).......................................................... $50

Discounted rates for MCBG Members
Members of the Gardens receive a $10 discount on all ticket rates! Discounted Adult Event and Wine Tasting Tickets are limited to 1 per Individual Membership and 2 per membership for any other level. Limit of 6 discounted Junior Event Tickets and 6 Child Event Tickets. Our Supporter Level Memberships include tickets for Art in the Gardens. Become a member today!

Member Adult Event Ticket (age 18+)....................................... $20
Member Junior Event Ticket (ages 6 to 17).............................. $5
Member Child Event Ticket (age 5 and younger)................... FREE
Wine Tasting (ages 21+)................................................................ $40

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

2025 Design Contest Winner
Art in the Zen Gardens by Patti Lucas

This year, we celebrate the 32nd anniversary of our summer festival, Art in the Gardens, and the 3rd annual Design Contest! There were a myriad of fabulous designs entered in the contest, and we are excited to announce this year's winner, Patti Lucas!

Her design (pictured right) captured all the fun of AIG and the natural splendor of our garden by the sea. Art in the “Zen” Gardens is about the beauty of a peaceful garden. Patti loves drawing “Zen doodles” because every design is a one-of-a-kind, unique creation, just like nature, gardens, the arts, and music.

EVENT GUIDELINES

• Art in the Gardens will be held rain or shine. The Gardens will not be open to guests until the event begins at 11AM on August 3 or 4.
• Regular admission is not available on two days of the event. All guests must purchase special event tickets. This includes members of the Gardens and the AHS Reciprocal Admissions Program. 
• All tickets are non-refundable. Proceeds from this fundraiser event support our non-profit botanical garden.
• Outside food or beverages are not allowed.
• No smoking anywhere in the Gardens.
• Dogs are not allowed at Art in the Gardens. Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens is well-known for its pet-friendly nature. However, during this special event, we ask that you please keep your pets at home or arrange for doggy daycare. Service animals are an exception to the rule.
• Please carpool if possible, parking is free, but limited.
• Please be prepared with your own mobility cart/wheelchair for the event and utilize the courtesy shuttles which will provide rides from the main parking lot, overflow parking areas, and Event Lawn. If you bring your own cart/wheelchair and need assistance in loading/unloading we can help!
• Art in the Gardens is an event where photography, audio, and video recording may occur. By entering the event, you consent to be photographed, filmed and/or otherwise recorded. Your entry constitutes your consent to such photography, filming and/or recording and to any use in promotion of Art in the Gardens and the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens (MCBG)

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.