Shirley sculptor featured in garden exhibit

This summer when visitors come to The Gardens at Elm Bank, they will experience something new — an extensive sculpture exhibit created by artists of the New England Sculptors Association. Reminiscent of glorious gardens in Italy, sculptures are nestled among the flowers and grasses to evoke surprise and delight around each bend of the garden paths. Melanie Zibit of Shirley is exhibiting her sculpture, entitled “Oceanic Dream.”

The opening of the show, “Gifts from the Garden,” will be in conjunction with the most anticipated event of the season, “Arts on the Green” on Thursday, July 27 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. The free event features an Art Walk of regional artists exhibiting and selling their work. There will be live music by LiveWire Boston, wine, beer and other beverages for sale, and garden tours. Visitors can picnic on the lawn and enjoy family activities.

Zibit’s sculpture is made out of marble, a material that has been used since ancient times.

“As I created this sculpture,” she stated, “I thought about the molten marble. The form emerging in the center resembles a wave of molten stone, rising from the heat and pressure of the surrounding material.”

“Gifts from the Garden” runs through Oct. 9. Massachusetts Horticultural Society’s Gardens at Elm Bank, located at 900 Washington Street (Rt. 16) in Wellesley, are open on Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. For more information, visit masshort.org, masshort.oncell.com, and nesculptors.org.