ZimSculpt at the Dallas Arboretum

ZimSculpt, a world renowned exhibition of modern Zimbabwean stone sculptures, features over 100 sculptures on display at the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden.

April 15-July 31, 2017

This is the largest collection ever assembled for a show in the United States. Known as Shona sculpture, these contemporary pieces can be as large as seven feet tall and are hand carved from stone, as hard as granite. ZimSculpt will feature exquisite sculptures of several dozen contemporary Zimbabwean artists displayed throughout the garden.

Known as Shona sculpture, these contemporary pieces are carved from various types of serpentine and semi-precious stone, often weighing tons, and can be as large as seven feet tall. As part of the exhibit, guests are welcome to watch artists and sculptors Passmore Mupindiko and Aron Kapembeza demonstrate their artistry carving statues daily in The Marketplace, which is located in the Pecan Grove.

Visitors may purchase any of the sculptures on display in the garden, as well as the pieces created by the onsite artists in The Marketplace. The Marketplace will be open to guests seven days a week, and on Wednesday evenings, selling hand-held to medium size sculptures. Commissioned pieces can be ordered and made onsite by the artists.

We will also have a host of special events explaining the history of the art form, allowing guests to learn about the techniques and even attempt a bit of sculpting themselves, giving guests the opportunity to take a guided tour of the exhibit and more.

Daily Activities

ZimSculpt Photo Exhibit
Every Day Through July, 31, all day, Rosine Hall Vestibule
Photographs are on display representing life in Zimbabwe.

ZimSculpt Marketplace
April 15-July 31, Daily, Pecan Grove
ZimSculpt artists are on site sculpting new pieces available for purchase in The Marketplace.

Guided ZimSculpt Garden Tours

Thursdays, April 20 - July 27, 10-11 a.m.

Saturdays & Sundays, April 22-July 30, 10 a.m. & 1 p.m.

A member of the ZimSculpt team leads a guided tour of the sculptures throughout the gardens. Tours begin in the Entry Plaza and end in Pecan Grove.

ZimSculpt Picnic Music

Saturday & Sunday, April 15 - July 30, all day on the Martin Rutchik Concert Stage and Lawn

(Exclusions 5/27, 5/28, 6/10, 6/24, 7/1, 7/2)

African-inspired music is played for those looking to enjoy a picnic on the concert lawn.

African Safari Weekend (May 6-7)

Birding with the Trinity River Audubon Society

Saturday & Sunday, May 6-7, 9-11 a.m., throughout the garden

Trinity River Audubon Center is onsite teaching garden guests how to identify birds throughout the gardens and giving tips and tricks for getting the best view.

Wildlife Photography

Saturday & Sunday, May 6-7, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., throughout the garden

Urban wildlife photographer Chris Jackson will be on property teaching garden guests the best way to take pictures of wildlife in the garden.

Bandan Koro – African Drum and Dance Ensemble

Select Saturdays and Sundays (May 20 & 21, June 24 & 25, July 22 & 23) at 11:00 a.m., Martin Rutchik Concert Stage

Enjoy lively performances by this amazing musical group.

Africa Day Celebration

Saturday & Sunday, May 21-22, 2-3 p.m., Pecan Grove

Saturday & Sunday, July 22-23, 10-11 a.m. & 2-3 p.m.

The ZimSculpt team speaks with garden guests all about how they celebrate Africa Day in Zimbabwe.

Live Music

Friday, May 25, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Martin Rutchick Concert Stage

Award-winning solo artists Eric Czechowski performs on the concert stage.

The Bubble Lady also offers some children's bubble entertainment on the concert lawn.

Dallas Children’s Theater Performance: Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters

Saturday, June 10, 10 a.m.,Martin Rutchik Concert Stage & Lawn

Come watch a live performance of "Mufaro's Beautiful Daughter's," the Zimbabwean tale of Cinderella.

Zimbabwe's Most Popular Plants

Saturday & Sunday, June 3 & 4, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Although worlds apart, there are some striking similarities in the plants that can be grown both in Dallas and in Zimbabwe. The Dallas County Master Gardeners will be on-site in the Pecan Grove talking about these similarities. Come enjoy demonstrations and learn all about Zimbabwe's national flower, the Fire Lily.

African Music Fest - June 24-25

Bandan Koro – African Drum and Dance Ensemble

June 24, 9:30 a.m. & June 25, 11:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m., Martin Rutchik Concert Stage

This amazing local group offers a fun, engaging live performance.

Live Performance by Kupira Marimba

Saturday, June 24, 12 to 1 p.m., Martin Rutchik Concert Stage and Lawn

Saturday, July 22, 12:00 p.m.

Listening to Kupira Marimba, best known for their lively, family-friendly performances, has been known to cause an uncontrollable urge to dance. They will have guests happily swaying as they stroll the garden or stop by the concert state to sit and relax.

Photography in Nature: Africa
Saturday & Sunday, July 8-9
9 a.m., Rosine Hall

Urban photographer Chris Jackson talks about animal photography and helps guests.

11 a.m.-12 p.m. & 1-2 p.m., Rosine Hall

Join the ZimSculpt team for a description of life in Zimbabwe through photography.

A Study of Zimbabwe Horticulture

Saturday & Sunday, July 15 - 16, 10 a.m. & 2 p.m., Pecan Grove

The Dallas County Master Gardener's is discussing plants of African origins that can be successfully grown in Dallas, along with container planting, and discussions on Zimbabwe's National Flower, the Fire Lily.

About the onsite artists:

Aron Kapembeza: Aron is one of Zimbabwe's most successful and most represented artists; he is also a self-taught sculptor, specializing in Springstone and stone inlay. He maintains his studio and gallery in New Tafara, Harare. At a young age, he discovered that he could see the finished sculptures hidden in Springstone, and from that moment a transformation began, which has snapped the soul of an artist. His passion for the human form has made him develop his own expressive style - womanhood from tender ages to motherhood, and this can be seen in a wide range of gorgeous sculptures ranging from stylized to representational in the Marketplace and Garden.

Passmore Mupindiko: Passmore started carving at a young age; his favorite medium was wood. After a life-changing visit to a famous art community called Tengenenge in Zimbabwe, he was convinced by the proprietor Tom Blomfield, to start sculpting in stone. He now creates all his work in stone, focusing on leaf bowls (used for attracting birds), slender guinea fowl, shells, and leaf heads. His work has been exhibited all over the world, including countries such as France, Holland, South Africa, Germany and Denmark.

Gift Store Events

April 29, 10:00 a.m., Hoffman Family Gift Store

Psychologist Jon Lasser, PhD, is here signing copies of his book, Grow Happy.

Discounts

BOGO Wednesdays

Wednesdays through July 31

Buy one get one free general admission, is available at the ticket booth only, with a limit of one purchase per person.

Senior Thursdays

Thursdays, April 15 through July 31

Senior-friendly tours and activities are offered each Thursday during the festival. Admission is $11 for those 65 and older, and seniors receive a 20 percent discount in the Hoffman Family Gift Store on Thursdays.

Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden

See a complete listing of all children's adventure garden activities.

The Art of Nature

Saturday, April 29 – Sunday, April 30

Sharing the joy of nature’s artistry is simple in the Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden. Bring budding artists for a weekend of using the natural beauty of the garden to create stunning works of art.

Check the website for the latest events as some are subject to change.

Speakers Bureau:

For those wanting to have a representative come to their club or organization to share about Dallas Blooms or another topic, contact the Dallas Arboretum speakers bureau at speakers@dallasarboretum.org.

Sponsors

Dave Perry-Miller Real Estate

Dallas Tourism Public Improvement District

Neiman Marcus