Please join us for a press conference inside the Inasmuch Foundation Crystal Bridge Conservatory
at the Cloud Portal for a with Mayor David Holt and Maureen Heffernan, President and CEO.
There will be brief remarks and ribbon cutting. Media will be able to tour the new conservatory.
Key staff will be available to answer questions about new settings, structures and plantings.
The iconic attraction will reopen of the public on Friday, November 18, 9am-5pm.
Features
First Floor Layout
With all new flooring materials and pathway layouts, the renovated first floor of the Conservatory features a reworked waterfall, a new reflecting pool and redesigned plant groupings to aid in the interpretation and understanding of the critical role of plants in the world.
New Waterfall Feature
A newly designed, two-level waterfall feature greets visitors as they enter the Conservatory with sounds of water cascading over natural stone. Tropical water plants are getting planted in the waterfall and in a small pool at the base. A new staircase has been built on the west side of the waterfall with a small
lookout for visitors to enjoy the views as they walk up to the second level.
Cloud Portal Sculpture
In contrast to the curving lines of the Conservatory, a striking vertical sculpture has been installed in the center of the main pathway to serve as a portal that divides the north and south ends of the space. Walking under it, visitors will experience beautifully framed views of the new waterfall at the south end and a reflecting pool at the north end.
The Cloud Portal speaks to the upward growth of trees and plants and the misty atmosphere of a tropical rainforest especially seen at higher elevations. High pressure fog nozzles will create a fog of mist on the upper white spires of the sculpture.
Inspired by Thorncrown Chapel in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas, and Cloud Arbor in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the Cloud Portal is designed by Scott Murase. The sculpture will also display tropical flowers and foliage and serve as a place for seasonal displays, as well as for weddings and other special events.
Root Wall and Reflecting Pool
The Root Wall on the north end of the Conservatory serves both form and function. In vascular plants, roots are the organ that supply water and nutrients for plant growth. While we don’t always see them, roots anchor plants to the ground. Here, the artistic depiction of roots serves an aesthetic purpose as well, covering the concrete anchoring wall near the staircase leading to the second level. At the base of the Root Wall is a reflecting pool that showcases exotic water lilies. This peaceful area offers places for visitors to pause and relax. During the grand reopening through the end of 2022, the Myriad Botanical Gardens has partnered with the Oklahoma City Museum of Art for a display of glass works by Dale Chihuly carefully displayed in the center of the reflecting pool.
Multi-purpose Classroom
The former north end lobby has been repurposed into a classroom space that can be adapted to a variety of educational programs and classes.
Additional Elevator, North End
A new elevator will improve the accessibility of the Conservatory for all visitors.
Oculus Gallery
Visitors can take a rest and enjoy views of the north end of Myriad Botanical Gardens from this second floor gallery-like space featuring improved lighting and seating, rotating exhibits and ambient nature sounds. The view of the Myriad Botanical Gardens offers glimpses of the seasons.
Second Floor North Terrace
At the north end of the Conservatory a new terrace allows visitors dramatic views towards the waterfall and first floor plantings. This terrace provides a new space for visitors to sit and relax, as well as for education programs, exhibits, receptions, and private events. Below the terrace will be a reflecting pool on the first level, and an art panel depicting the intricacies of a root structure.
Second Floor South Bromeliad Terrace
Bromeliads are fascinating plants that have adapted to survive and thrive with a diversity of other plants, insects and animal species. This overlook area is surrounded by a variety of bromeliad species and offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy the views while learning about plants. This terrace is on the south end of the Conservatory, adjacent to the new waterfall.
Discovery Room
Children will have the opportunity to learn about the connection between plants and the many animals and insects that support the rainforest ecosystem with a stop in the second floor, interactive Discovery Room located on the second floor, south end. Rotating hands-on activities will also be offered throughout the year.
Sensory Skywalk Third Level
Visitors get to experience a symphony of sounds, tastes and smells on new extended platforms along the third level Skywalk. Each area will overlook the Conservatory and will soon offer an educational interactive display focusing on the senses.
The Myriad Gardens New Gift Shop
Visitors entering or leaving the Crystal Bridge Conservatory will pass a new gift shop in the Visitor Lobby. The shop offers merchandise curated to reflect the Gardens’ mission of horticultural education and conservation. The shop is designed by Charles Sparks, a noted retail designer whose award-winning work can be found in museum shops around the country. The merchandise will be grouped in ways to reinforce narratives about conservation, wellness, climate, seasons, and gardening.
Crystal Bridge Conservatory facts
The Crystal Bridge Conservatory is 224 feet long, 70 feet in diameter, and is covered by 3,028 sections of translucent, double-layered acrylic panels. The Conservatory includes 13,000 square feet of plant display area in two distinct climates: Tropical Wet Zone and the Tropical Dry Zone at the north end. Opened in 1988, the Conservatory is located in the center of downtown Oklahoma City and has always been a popular destination for Oklahoma and Oklahoma City. For more on the earlier years visit www.myriadgardens.org/history
Partners
ADG Blatt Architects, Oklahoma City, OK
Located in downtown Oklahoma City, ADG has provided architectural, engineering, interior design, planning and program management services to owners, building users and communities throughout Oklahoma and in other parts of the United States since 1975. Among its many clients is the City of Oklahoma City and the City of Norman where ADG serves as program consultant for a host of community improvement projects. In 2018, the company was part of the team that redesigned the Visitor Center of the Crystal Bridge Conservatory and classroom spaces for John Rex Middle School at Myriad Botanical Gardens.
Charles Sparks + Company, Oakbrook Terrace, IL
As founder of Charles Sparks + Company, Charles Sparks has more than 38 years of experience in designing for some of the most recognized names in retail and cultural institutions. He has designed for a diverse range of businesses and believes both that good design is good business and that trend is not our destiny.
Exhibit Concepts, Dayton, OH
Founded in 1978, the Exhibit Concepts team is experts in the design, production, and management of experiential environments, including award-winning museum spaces, immersive educational experiences, engaging trade show displays, world-class corporate interiors, and more.
Gecko Group, West Chester, PA
Gecko Group is an education interpretive design firm based in West Chester, Pennsylvania. Their award-winning work in the heritage, tourism, museum, aquarium and zoo fields, helps destinations create user-friendly, authentic and meaningful visitor experiences. With more than 20 years of experience, Gecko Group specializes in branding, wayfinding and interpretive communication and is designing exhibits and the interpretive and educational signage in the Crystal Bridge Conservatory.
Murase Associates, Seattle, WA
A second-generation landscape artist, Scott Murase learned the craft of place-making while collaborating alongside his father, Robert Murase, an internationally acclaimed landscape architect. His multi-disciplinary background in architecture, landscape architecture and sculpture combine to inspire his approach to site design. Using combinations of stone, water, wood and metal, Murase’s work is featured at the Devon Energy headquarters in downtown Oklahoma City, and in the Meinders Terrace at Myriad Botanical Gardens.
Lingo Construction, Oklahoma City, OK
Lingo Construction was started by Stan and Renee Lingo in 1998. Through their determination and resourcefulness, Lingo has grown into a company of over ninety employees. Today, their team includes project managers, designers, engineers, superintendents, carpenters, ironworkers, laborers, and office administration staff.
Funding
Funding for the project has been provided by Inasmuch Foundation, Devon Energy Corp., Chickasaw Nation, City of Oklahoma City, E.L. and Thelma Gaylord Foundation, Jean and David McLaughlin, Robert Glen Rapp Foundation, Rick Cooper and Donald Karchmer, and Kirkpatrick Family Fund.
The Inasmuch Foundation Crystal Bridge Conservatory Reimagined Project cost nearly $11 million.
Myriad Gardens Staff Project Team
Maureen Heffernan, President & CEO, Park Management - Myriad Botanical Gardens and Scissortail Park.
Nate Tschaenn, Director of Horticulture
Roberta Rowland, Conservatory Manager
Lisa Wing, Conservatory Specialist
Stephanie Hume, Myriad Gardens Gift Shop Manager
Admission
Adult: $10.50
Senior: $9
Military/Veterans: $9
Student: $7
Youth (5-17 years): $5.50
Myriad Gardens Members: FREE
Adult Group (10 or more): $9.50 per person. Reservations required. Email info@myriadgardens.org.
Youth Group (10 or more; ages 4-17): $4 per person. Reservations required. Email info@myriadgardens.org.
Memberships
Memberships to the Myriad Botanical Gardens are encouraged and help support the Myriad Gardens Foundation. Members’ benefits have never been better! They range from free admission to the Crystal Bridge Conservatory and festivals such as Pumpkinville to discounts on classes, free rides on Mo’s Carousel and free admission to more than 300 botanical gardens throughout the US through the Reciprocal Program with the American Horticulture Society. Lists of the participating botanical gardens can be found at ahs.org. Contact member@myriadgardens.org.
- Memberships
- Individual: $45
- Duo: $65
- Family: $85
- Family Plus: $125
Hours
General Hours
Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Extended holiday hours to celebrate the grand reopening
- Open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Fridays, November 25, December 2, 9, 16 & 23
- Saturdays, November 26, December 3, 10 & 16
Entertainment for Opening Weekend
Grand Reopening Weekend Musical Entertainment
Friday, November 18
- 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Hannah Helbig (Harpist)
Saturday, November 19
- 10 a.m. -12 p.m.: Hannah Helbig (Harpist)
- 1-1:30 p.m.: Canterbury Voices
- 2-4 p.m.: Sam Kahre (Cellist)
Sunday, November 20
- 12-2pm: Peter Markes (Violinist)
- 2:30-3pm: Canterbury Voices+
- 3-4pm: Sam Kahre (Cellist)
Art
Garden Green Seaform Set with Cherry Lip Wraps, 2001
Dale Chihuly, “Seaform,” 2001. © 2022 Chihuly Studio. All Rights Reserved.
Loan from the Oklahoma City Museum of Art located in the water lily pond, north end.
Leaf in Light: Works of Art by Kyndall Rainey
Featuring 25 paintings on canvas of botanicals and succulents through the art gallery in the Visitor Lobby of the Conservatory. Kyndall uses acrylic, 3D paint, plastic liner, foam, cellophane, bubble wrap, and rubber for her works of art. These paintings are for sale. Proceeds benefit the Myriad Gardens Foundation.
Holiday Events in the Conservatory
Passport to Tropical Santa Claus Weekend
Saturday, December 3, 11am-6pm
Sunday, December 4, 11am-6pm
Sundays with Santa in the Crystal Bridge Conservatory
Sundays, December 11 & 18, 11am-3pm
Winter Solstice Celebration with the Ice King and Queen
Wednesday, December 21, 6-8pm
Décor
The Crystal Bridge Conservatory will be adorned with hundreds of poinsettia including a 15’ tall poinsettia tree located on the north terrace, level two. A specially built Santa’s sleigh will be in the visitor lobby