Descanso's New Sturt Haaga Gallery Opens Saturday

It took five years of planning, fundraising, design and construction to transform the historic Boddy House garage into a world-class gallery and exhibit space, set to begin welcoming visitors Saturday.

"The gallery opens a new chapter in the history of this wonderful place," David Brown, Executive Director of Descanso Gardens said, describing the space as an “homage to history and tradition with a look to the future."

According to Brown, the gallery will host two original shows a year, focused on Descanso-inspired themes in science and history. The gallery includes a discovery area for hands-on interaction with the subject matter and art as part of Descanso's continuing commitment to education and outreach.

The gallery’s inaugural exhibit showcases the fine art photography of artist and author Andrea Baldeck. “It’s a dream come to true to have an exhibit at Descanso,” Baldeck said of her first West Coast show. “The setting is so exquisite.”

Baldeck’s black and white botanical photographs offer a close-up, quiet view of what she describes as the “anatomy and incredible variation of the natural world.” Intricate patterns in leaves, trees, and flowers are highlighted in her works.

 “It’s all about the connection with the mute world all around us,” Baldeck said, noting that she hoped her photographs combined with the setting would inspire visitors to “come back out and look again and spend time with the plants.”

The gallery offers not only interior exhibit spaces incorporating principles of sustainable design, such as recycled materials and adjustable lighting, but a roof garden and two exterior “vertical gardens” meant to be viewed as “plant paintings”, connecting architecture and structure to the Descanso’s natural elements.

The gallery is a gift to Descanso Gardens from LCF residents Heather Sturt Haaga and Paul G. Haaga Jr., for whom the gallery is named. Heather Sturt Haaga currently serves as Chair of the Descanso Gardens Guild Board of Trustees.

“We love changing the trajectory of the place, taking Descanso to the next level.” Sturt Haaga said of the gallery. “More and more people are discovering this oasis.” She noted that she and her husband’s involvement and financing of the gallery was a 30-year anniversary gift made to one another.

Architect Frederick Fisher designed the gallery. Additional funding came from The Ralph M. Parsons Foundation and Georgianna and Paul Erskine of Pasadena.

The Sturt Haaga Gallery opens to the public at 2 p.m. Saturday and is free with admission to Descanso Gardens. For more information, visit Descanso's website.