Dallas Arboretum Debuts Trayscapes: A Rare Glimpse Into Seward Johnson’s Private Artworks, Reimagined by Local Artists
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Dallas Arboretum Debuts Trayscapes: A Rare Glimpse Into Seward Johnson’s Private Artworks, Reimagined by Local Artists |
| DALLAS, Texas – May 28, 2025 – This summer, the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden invites visitors to experience a more personal side of celebrated sculptor Seward Johnson in a new indoor exhibition: Trayscapes: Nature, Nostalgia & the Art of Everyday, on view in the historic DeGolyer House from June 7 through July 31, 2025.
This intimate showcase features Johnson’s rarely seen hand-painted trays—originally created in the 1960s as gifts for family and friends. Each tray captures a quiet, heartfelt scene from his life in Hopewell, New Jersey; Nantucket, Massachusetts; and Grounds For Sculpture, the 42-acre sculpture park he founded in New Jersey. Blending soft watercolor washes with sculptural textures, the trays reflect the artist’s deep affection for place, memory, and the poetry of everyday life. “These trays show us a quieter side of Seward Johnson,” said Dustin Miller, Vice President of Programs and Learning at the Dallas Arboretum. “They’re not only beautiful—they’re deeply personal. They invite us to slow down and notice the small, meaningful moments in our own lives.” Adding a contemporary twist, the Arboretum has commissioned original tray-inspired works by a diverse group of Dallas-area artists: Alan R. Smith, AlliK Designs, Dustin Vyers, Emily Herrera, Erin Newton, Florence Goss, Oliver Freeston, Taylor Paladino, The Spiritual Artist CJ Miller, Will Heron, and Zarina Karapteyan. Their interpretations offer a fresh dialogue between past and present, national and local, memory and imagination. Trayscapes will be on display in the DeGolyer House daily from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and is included with general garden admission. Select local artist works will be available for purchase. In addition, on June 10, during one of the Arboretum’s Garden Nights, guests are invited to a special VIP “Meet the Artists” event. This exclusive opportunity offers a chance to meet and engage with the local artists behind Trayscapes, adding a personal and interactive touch to the evening’s festivities. Guests will experience firsthand the stories and inspirations that shaped the exhibit, making this Garden Night a truly memorable celebration of art and nature. Guests can continue to explore Seward Johnson’s larger-than-life bronze sculptures—originally unveiled during the Arboretum’s Dallas Blooms: Outside the Ordinary festival—which remain installed throughout the gardens through September 1, 2025. To plan your visit or learn more, visit www.dallasarboretum.org. |
