Frida Kahlo’s Garden
A Garden Oasis at CDL
Frida Kahlo’s Garden exhibition was on display February 2—March 16, 2022.
Frida Kahlo (1907–1954) is considered one of the most significant artists of the twentieth century. Her body of work, consisting of some 250 paintings and drawings, is at once intensely personal and universal in scope, and relies heavily on the natural world. The exhibition Frida Kahlo’s Garden transported visitors to Kahlo’s garden to experience her world as she did. The garden at Casa Azul (or Blue House), Kahlo’s lifelong home in Coyoacán, Mexico City, was a creative refuge and a source of inspiration for the artist and her husband, Diego Rivera. The garden, which was filled with native plants, housed Kahlo and Rivera’s collection of pre-Hispanic artifacts and folk art displayed on a four-tiered pyramid inspired by the Mesoamerican city of Teotihuacan.
Visitors explored:
- Iconic photographs of the artist and her home and garden
- Reproductions of several of her paintings
- A dress from the Mexican state of Oaxaca where Kahlo sourced many of her dresses
- Examples of folk art collected by Kahlo and Rivera
- Interactive stations to learn about Mexican culture, including festivities, food, and agricultural practices
Frida Kahlo is an icon within the artistic world.
Edith reading to preschoolers. Frida Kahlo's Garden
Preschoolers tour the library to learn about Frida Kahlo’s garden and animals
Children and parents from Chelsea Children’s Cooperative Preschool and their teacher, Claire Baushke, visited the library’s exhibition on Feb. 22 and 23. Librarians Miss Edith and Miss Jessica read aloud from the book “Frida Kahlo and Her Animalitos” by Monica Brown. The book features the different animals that Frida Kahlo had in her home and gardens and many that appear in her artwork. They also explored the interactive displays in McKune and learned more about Frida’s self-portrait paintings. (Photos by Burrill Strong.)
Preschoolers’ Self-Portraits
After their visit, these budding artists took tissue paper, tinfoil, and other art materials back to the preschool to create their self-portraits.
Frida Kahlo’s Garden Library Programs
Detroit Institute of Arts
Tuesday, February 8
6:30–7:30pm
Behind the Seen: In the Garden
Join us online to hear a docent from the Detroit Institute of Arts discuss the hidden meanings of flowers and plants in well-known works of art. Explore Frida Kahlo’s Garden exhibition after the program to see how plants, especially native plants of Mexico, influenced her art, and the symbolism she used in her work.
Yoga In Frida′s Garden
Tuesday, February 15
6:30–7:15pm
Miss Chris will lead a family-friendly yoga practice inspired by the blossoms and blooms of our winter art exhibition, Frida Kahlo’s Garden. Yoga for kids ages 5-11 with a parent, inspired by our winter exhibition. Visit the CDL calendar for more details and to register.
Self-Portrait
Wednesday, February 16
4–5:00pm
The Frame: Creating Art Inspired by Frida Kahlo
Children ages 6 to 11 are invited to create a self portrait on tinfoil and a frame for the portrait on two consecutive Wednesdays. Attendance of both activities is recommended.
Garden Terrarium
Thursday, February 17
7:00–7:45pm
That Thursday Thing: Frida Flower Terrarium
Teenagers are invited to join us to take a special tour of the Frida Kahlo’s Garden exhibition in the McKune Room, and make a flower terrarium to take home.
Adult Watercolor Painting Class
Thursday, February 24
6:30–7:30pm
Online! Adult Watercolor Flower Painting
Visit CDL’s Frida Kahlo exhibit to get inspiration for painting your own watercolor flowers!
Learn to paint watercolor flowers from the comfort of your own home. Follow along with fellow TLN librarian and artist Katie Rothley as she demonstrates easy techniques to get your painted flowers blooming. Registration required.
This exhibition is made possible by:
STAY CONNECTED
Receive e-mail updates on our exhibitions, art events, and more. Send your name and contact information to marketing@chelseadistrictlibrary.org.