Origami in the Garden – A Monumental Spring Break Getaway

Origami in the Garden, an exhibition of monumental outdoor sculpture created by internationally-known American artist Kevin Box, is on display in multiple locations across Naples through April 23, 2017. Naples Botanical Garden, The Baker Museum on the Artis-Naples campus and Lowdermilk Park each have various pieces of the 50+ playful works on exhibit, plus a host of other fun and educational opportunities for the child in everyone.

Naples Botanical Garden

Naples Botanical Garden is a treasure trove of flora in the heart of Naples, ranked by TripAdvisor as the city’s number one attraction. Nearly 30 origami sculptures are on display throughout the garden, including a group of life-sized, colorful ponies, a tower of serene cranes and a flock of birds taking flight over the River of Grass, a representation of the Everglades.

In addition to the sculptures, the Vicky C. and David Byron Smith Children’s Garden offers a playful and interactive world of flowers, vegetables, butterflies, and native landscapes created for kids of all ages. Take a journey from tree to sea through the unique habitats of Florida, including a native ecosystem with a cypress swamp, hardwood hammock and shell mound. Kids and adults alike can create sidewalk chalk masterpieces on the trail, climb to the top of the treehouse, or explore the river of grass from the perspective of a spider.

A brightly-colored cottage garden invites visitors to explore the child-size “Cracker House.” Take a break under “Chuck,” a royal poinciana tree that is the centerpiece of the children’s garden. Kids especially enjoy playing in the water fountains, exploring the Hidden Garden, and watching butterflies in the Pfeffer-Beach Butterfly House. The children’s garden is where a pair of origami white buffalo graze and a cautious origami mouse is watched ever so closely by a bird of prey.

Naples Botanical Garden, 4820 Bayshore Drive, is open Wednesday-Monday from 9 am to 5 pm and Tuesday from 8 am to 5 pm. Admission is $14.95/adults, $9.95/children 4-14, and free for children under 4. For more information, visit naplesgarden.org.

Artis—Naples, The Baker Museum

Artis—Naples, The Baker Museum is the foremost fine arts museum in Southwest Florida, housing 15 galleries, a glass dome conservatory and three Dale Chihuly installations. Five origami sculptures — including the formidable Pegasus — and 40 unfolded pieces of origami are on display at The Baker Museum.

Educational opportunities abound at the museum. Kids can view works by modern European and American artists such as Pablo Picasso, Willem de Kooning and Georgia O’Keeffe. Pop Art culture comes to life through the works of Robert Indiana, one of America’s most celebrated living artists. “Jacque Fresco, 100 Years of Vision” presents an overview of a lifetime of creative output by this visionary designer and social engineer, who turned 100 last March. It includes models, tools, blueprints and sketches that represent his humanistic ideas for a better future. Louise Nevelson’s last major work, “Dawn’s Forest,” is arranged in segments throughout campus.

The Baker Museum, 5833 Pelican Bay Boulevard, is open Tuesday-Thursday and Saturday from 10 am to 4pm, Friday from 10 am to 8 pm, and Sunday from noon to 4 pm. Admission is $10/adults, and free for children 17 and under. For more information, visit artisnaples.org/baker-museum.

Lowdermilk Park

Lowdermilk Park is one of Naples' premier beachfront parks. Highly rated for families, kids can release their energy on two playgrounds, build castles in the soft white sand or roam about the brightly colored pair of huge origami cranes. Pack a picnic or grab some refreshments from the concession stand. There are shower facilities to rinse off before heading on to the next adventure or going home. Consider a visit near the end of the day to take in a beautiful sunset.

Lowdermilk Park, 1301 Gulf Shore Boulevard, is open daily from 8 am to sundown. For more information, visit explorenaples.