Atlanta Botanical Garden’s Imaginary Worlds by the Numbers

July 19, 2019
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On Saturday May 13, my daughter and her godmother, one of my best friends arrived in midtown Atlanta at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. First, we parked the car in the garage. After parking the car, we proceeded to the entrance of the botanical garden. It was Educator Appreciation Day. Therefore, there was not any admission cost. Armed with our excitement and educator ID’s we entered,

  • My daughter who served as our GPS during our visit. Talk about map skills at work.
  • Aunt Terri venturing out on her own, leaving our navigator behind.
  • Everyone needs my Remel. With her there was no rerouting.
This is the inside of the Imaginary Worlds’ Exhibition Guide

Originally, we planned on going directly to the “Alice in Wonderland” exhibits. After a possible sighting of a dragon exhibit we changed our plans. As a result, we decided to use the map which was numbered as to which exhibit was where, the title of this blog: “Imaginary Worlds by the Numbers.”

#1: Pegasus

Our first stop at the Pegasus exhibit brought back memories of my love for Greek mythology. I actually went through a phase where I read as many myths as I could. Many think that Pegasus is the name of one creature . There are many different Pegasi mentioned in the many tales of their existence.

My daughter poses in from of the botanical Pegasus.

Pegasus is the offspring of the Olympian god Poseidon and the Gorgon Medusa. In other words, Pegasus was foaled as a result of Perseus decapitating Medusa. For those of you who are Percy Jackson fans, that makes Percy and Pegasus half-siblings.

If interested in more books and activities related to Pegasi, please access https://www.pinterest.com/literarilymyway/pegasus/

#2: Mammoth

We followed the map. Therefore, the next attraction was the woolly mammoth exhibit.

I loved how the Woolly Mammoth was deliberately positioned as if he was in his natural habitat.

To access some of my favorite woolly mammoth pins to find books and activities that can be used to help connect the experience and/or the pictures with reading, feel free to go to https://www.pinterest.com/literarilymyway/woolly-mammoth/

#3: Earth Goddess*

As we walked and I looked around, the most striking woman came into view from across the garden. My friend informed us that what we saw was one of the permanent exhibitions, the Earth Goddess. I photographed the exhibit from afar; I couldn’t wait to get closer to the exhibit to get more detailed photos.

The Earth Goddess is a 25-foot sculpture located in the focal point of the Cascade Gardens.

The Earth Goddess is stunning with her flowing locks and her hand held out while water spills through her fingers.
It is reported that there are at least 18,000 annuals planted in the Earth Goddess and that it takes several weeks for the growth to yield colorful, living textures.
  • My daughter posing at the Earth Goddess exhibit
  • My daughter posing in front of the Earth Goddess’s Cascading Gardens
Most of the color seen in the Earth Garden sculpture are from foliage and less from blooms. My friend, Terri, says that during the winter lights are strong in her hair and that she transforms from Earth Goddess to Ice Goddess.

Additional info on this exhibit is at https://atlantabg.org/art-collection/earth-goddess/ For more visuals on the Earth Goddess, my pins are at https://www.pinterest.com/literarilymyway/earth-goddess/

#4: Phoenix

This beautiful phoenix spreads its wings as spectators gaze upon its dazzling colors.
In Greek mythology, a phoenix is a long-lived bird that cyclically regenerates, arising from the ashes of its predecessor.
What many people don’t know, and something I just recently learned is that the phoenix is an important symbol to and of Atlanta. As a symbol it represents the city’s rise from the ashes of the Civil War to become a world city.
In my opinion the phoenix proudly and almost arrogantly boasts of its importance to the city where he dwells.

To follow-up on using the phoenix as a unit or a theme, you can find some of my favorite pins at https://www.pinterest.com/literarilymyway/phoenix-the-bird/

#5: Mermaid

From this angle, one can see the faceless face of the mermaid.
This is the side of the botanical mermaid who gazes off as we admire the artistry that created her.

Additional resources about mermaids can be accessed at https://www.pinterest.com/literarilymyway/mermaids/

#6: Dragon

The face on this dragon drew me in menacing, but yet soft.
  • The dragon exhibit is surrounded by spectators.
  • Approaching the lair of the dragon
  • Terri and Remel walking towards the dragon
My daughter poses next to the dragon. She is so diminutive next to it; oh, she is diminutive in size even when not next to it.
The dragon keeps an eye on my daughter.
Where are the spectators? The dragon looks around wondering where the spectators have gone….or did he eat them?
Doesn’t he look like he will gulp her in a single swallow?

If you like dragons, I have pinned a few books and activities at https://www.pinterest.com/literarilymyway/mermaids/

#7: Camels

These three camels are encore exhibits from the 2018 Imaginary Worlds: Once Upon a Time exhibit.
Spectators join the trio of Once Upon a Time camels as they head east. Or is that west? It might be south; we need a compass.
My daughter poses near the trio of Once Upon a Time camels.
  • Once Upon a Time camels on the go.
  • Here comes the trio of camels.
No feeding the camels!!!!
Wonder how much his load weighs? Good estimation activity. Or if younger we can just count the items he is packing.
Riding in style in the Imaginary Worlds.

#8: White Rabbit

The “White Rabbit” exhibit (along with #10 and #11) are featured in my full extensive “Alice in Wonderland Revisited at the Atlanta Botanical Garden” post.

The green “White Rabbit” greets all.
The White Rabbit greets visitors.
Chilling in the pond.
What time is it?

#9: Chessboard

Don’t move!
Remel and Terri are ready to play chess.
And I begged, “Remel, hold me back. Don’t let me hug the cute horse!”
  • Hug-able horse
  • “Remel, what is she doing? She can’t swim swim over to the White Rabbit?” “Aunt Terri, she can’t swim.”
I think he likes you!

#10: Alice & Cheshire Cat

What is he smiling about? I think he is mad!
My daughter listening to man on right: “Look, Sleeping Beauty!” “No, it’s Alice!”
Now that is an interesting smile on the Cheshire Cat’s face.
Lots of flora and fauna to construct this exhibit.

Just a reminder that exhibits, $9-#11 are featured in my Alice in Wonderland Revisted at the Atlanta Botanical Garden post: https://literarilymyway.com/alice-in-wonderland-revisited-at-the-atlanta-botanical-garden/ My favorite Alice in Wonderland pins are at https://www.pinterest.com/literarilymyway/alice-in-wonderland/

#11: Shaggy Dog*

Love that look! I think he wants us to adopt him.
WWhat was that? Who is that?
Remel and “Shaggy.”

Check out some of my favorite Shaggy Dog pins at https://www.pinterest.com/literarilymyway/shaggy-dog/

My daughter and me with our new friend.

Well, this concludes this virtual tour of Part 2 of the Atlanta Botanical Garden’s Imaginary Worlds Exhibit. Thanks for sharing this experience with us. We hope you enjoyed it and that it brings to your mind, lots of ways these exhibits can connect to books.

If you visit Atlanta between now and October. 27, consider visiting the Atlanta Botanical Garden to see the entire “Imaginary Worlds” exhibit. The Atlanta Botanical Garden is located in midtown Atlanta at 1345 Piedmont Ave., NE, Atlanta. The exhibit is open 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday. The cost is $18.95-$21.95. More info is at atlantabg.org.

OAN, Part 3 of the Atlanta Botanical Garden will feature the novel “A Secret Garden” by Frances Hodgson Burnett. It will be posted within the next few weeks. If you are a subscriber to my blog, you will receive an email announcing the post. If not, check back frequently for that post or others.

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