A Cavalcade of Activities During the Annual ASLA Conference
Oak Spring, the refined and exquisite Upperville, VA estate of “Bunny” Mellon was the centerpiece of The Cultural Landscape Foundation’s (TCLF) annual daylong excursion held in conjunction with the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) 2024 Conference on Landscape Architecture in Washington, D.C. The excursion was just one of several activities that included the premiere of a new documentary about landscape architect Laurie Olin, the annual silent auction, and TCLF's receipt of an Honor Award in Communications.
Rachel Lambert “Bunny” Mellon gained international attention for her design of the White House Rose Garden during the Kennedy Administration, but it’s her 700-acre estate, now operated by the Oak Spring Garden Foundation, where Mrs. Mellon pursued her lifelong passion for plants inspired by the history, art, and culture of plants, gardens and landscapes. TCLF’s annual, curated excursions to exceptional examples of landscape architecture and design are eagerly anticipated, extremely popular, and always sell out months in advance - this excursion was no exception. In fact, it sold out faster than any previous one.
Attendees enjoyed an exclusive tour of the estate, including the renowned library that comprises a collection of more than 19,000 objects, including rare books, manuscripts, and works of art dating back to the 14th century, main residence, and the exquisite Walled Garden, which is the heart of the home that Mrs. Mellon created, connecting and integrating the surrounding buildings into a unified whole, while seamlessly blending in the wider landscape. The day included lunch at the estate’s farm with an enlightening presentation from Oak Spring Garden Foundation President Peter Crane.
On the return trip the group visited Trinity Episcopal Church in Upperville, VA. The present campus compound where Mrs. Mellon and her husband Paul are buried includes the church, parish hall, and rectory (now used as the church office), numerous related buildings, and additional land totaling approximately 35 acres all gifted to Trinity by Mr. & Mrs. Mellon. The tour included remarks by TCLF Board Co-Chair Thomas Woltz, whose firm Nelson Byrd Woltz is currently reimagining part of the campus.
On Sunday, October 6, TCLF hosted an exclusive preview of SITTING STILL, a documentary featuring renowned landscape architect Laurie Olin, a National Medal of Arts recipient and former TCLF Board Member, ahead of its PBS premiere. The screening was followed by an engaging discussion and Q&A with Olin and filmmaker Gina Angelone, with whom TCLF worked on its 2012 Pioneers Oral History about Olin. The evening concluded with a rooftop reception on the Mies van der Rohe-designed library, transformed by Oehme van Sweden in 2020, providing a perfect setting for further conversation and networking.
This year’s Silent Auction - TCLF's twentieth! - was once again hosted exclusively online and featured more than 100 exceptional works of art and rare books by noted landscape architects and artists. Highlights included pieces from Tiffany Beamer, Lawrence Halprin, and Michael Van Valkenburgh, as well as renowned artists Michael Kenna and Millicent Harvey. TCLF was proud to highlight eight new artists, including Alice Aycock, Mary Miss, and Jody Pinto, all of whom were featured in the Nasher Sculpture Center’s acclaimed Groundswell: Women of Land Art exhibition. All auction proceeds benefit TCLF’s education and advocacy initiatives.
On Monday, October 7, TCLF staff took the stage at the Washington Convention Center to receive an ASLA Honor Award in Communications for the creation of the ever-growing What's Out There Guide to African American Cultural Landscapes, which now includes more than 150 sites. The event also featured 38 other professional awards (chosen from 465 entries) and 38 student awards.
Next year's ALSA Conference will be held in New Orleans, LA, and plans are already underway for another remarkable and unforgettable excursion. Stay tuned.
