CANCELED – 5 Seasons: The Gardens of Piet Oudolf
Unfortunately, this event has been canceled. In an effort to limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus, Allerton has adopted policies laid out by the University of Illinois, including canceling events. At this time, there is no alternative date. If you have already registered, watch your email for information about a refund.
Find additional information about related Park updates and closures here.
Join us in the Mansion for a movie screening and panel discussion of 5 Seasons: The Gardens of Piet Oudolf. Piet Oudolf is a celebrated garden designer, who transforms gardens into art. Immersive and meditative, this documentary reveals how the revolutionary landscape designer has changed our conventional notions of nature, public space, and, ultimately, beauty itself. A panel discussion of the movie will follow immediately with experts from the University of Illinois Department of Landscape Architecture.
Snacks and refreshments will be available for purchase.
This event is FREE, but space is limited so preregistration is required. Parking available in the Main parking lot.
About the Panelists:
Jim Schmidt is a retired horticulturist from the University of Illinois where he worked in the areas of Consumer Horticulture, 4-H and Youth Gardening, and training Master Gardeners. A graduate of the University of Illinois with B.S. and M.S. in horticulture, he has taught for over four decades. Jim served for many years on the board of the National Junior Horticultural Association and was Program Chairman. He also served for many years with National Garden Clubs on the Board and as an instructor for flower show schools, training participants in the basics of horticulture and the details of evaluating exhibits. Throughout his career he has been a speaker on various gardening topics at Extension sponsored schools and field days, the Chicago Flower Show, and commercial conferences. In 2016 he was commissioned to restore the Bulb Garden at Robert Allerton Park, dedicated in 2017 as the Mark E. Roszkowski Memorial Garden. He currently is a part-time horticulture instructor at Parkland College and does horticultural consulting, landscaping, and maintenance.
Alan Watkins is an account representative with Clarence Davids & Company and an adjunct instructor in the Department of Landscape Architecture at the University of Illinois. He earned a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a Master of Business Administration from Northern Illinois University. His responsibilities at Clarence Davids & Company entail developing and maintaining business relationships with current and prospective clients as well as managing landscape construction and landscape maintenance projects. He is actively involved in a variety of professional organizations. He served as President of the Illinois Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects in 2016 and is currently serving as the Chairperson of the University of Illinois Department of Landscape Architecture Resource Committee.
