Location: BK House, 1113 Chartres Street, New Orleans, LA
Date: September 14, 2024 10am- 3pm
The annual Beautiful Spaces Symposium, scheduled for September 14, 2024, at the historic BK House in the French Quarter, will focus this year on the cultural legacy of gardens in New Orleans. This well-rounded event promises to be an inspiring day dedicated to exploring the rich history, design, and cultural significance of the city’s gardens. Distinguished experts will share their knowledge and insights, offering attendees a comprehensive understanding of the landscapes that have shaped this unique city. From formal parterre gardens to indigenous wild spaces, the symposium will cover a broad spectrum of garden design and history, celebrating the artistry and cultural heritage embedded in New Orleans’ outdoor spaces.
Event Schedule:
9:30 – 10:00 AM: Coffee & Registration
10:00 – 10:10 AM: Welcome & Introduction
10:10 – 11:00 AM: Lake Douglas, FASLA – “New Orleans Landscapes: 1720s-1960s”
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Anna Timmerman – “Formal Parterre Gardens and Their Creolization”
12:00 – 1:00 PM: Hosted Lunch
1:00 – 2:00 PM: Dr. Tammy Greer – “Yakni Achokma, Okla Achokma: Wild Tending the Southern Missssippi Medicine Wheel Garden”
2:00 – 3:00 PM: René J. L. Fransen, FALSA – “Garden Journeys: Exploring the History and Design of New Orleans Landscapes” 3:00 PM: Closing Reception, Immediately followed by light herbal cocktails
Presentation Descriptions:
- Lake Douglas, FASLA – “New Orleans Landscapes: 1720s-1960s”
This presentation will take you through 240 years of New Orleans’ garden history, from the colonial period’s elegant designs to landscapes shaped by a blend of cultural influences. Lake Douglas will use engaging visuals to help attendees gain a deeper appreciation for the enduring legacy of the city’s gardens.
- Anna Timmerman – “Formal Parterre Gardens and Their Creolization”
Anna Timmerman will explore the influence of French garden design on New Orleans’ landscapes. Attendees will trace the origins of parterre garden design in Europe, understand its key elements, and see how these formal gardens were adapted to fit the local environment of New Orleans.
- Dr. Tammy Greer – “Yakni Achokma, Okla Achokma: Wild Tending the Southern Miss Medicine Wheel Garden”
Dr. Tammy Greer will share insights into the vital role that tended wild spaces played in indigenous survival. Her presentation will focus on the importance of these spaces in modern sustainability efforts and offer wisdom on community, balance, and reciprocity through the lens of native plants and wild spaces.
- René J. L. Fransen, FALSA – “Garden Journeys: Exploring the History and Design of New Orleans Landscapes”
René Fransen will take you on a journey through the evolution of New Orleans gardens, examining the use of design materials, garden ornaments, and plant selections that have shaped the city’s landscapes. The presentation will also explore the integration of functional elements, such as drainage and raised homes, to create unique and captivating gardens.
About the Presenters:
- Anna Timmerman is an Associate Horticulture Agent for the LSU AgCenter, specializing in historical gardening. With a rich background in landscape horticulture, Anna brings her expertise to the symposium, sharing insights into the creolization of formal parterre gardens in New Orleans.
- Lake Douglas, FASLA, Professor Emeritus at the Robert Reich School of Landscape Architecture, LSU, has dedicated his career to studying and preserving the history of designed landscapes in New Orleans. His presentation offers a historical journey through the city’s gardens.
- René J. L. Fransen, FALSA, founder and senior designer of Fransen Mills Landscape Architects LLC, combines his passions for architecture and horticulture to create distinctive residential designs in New Orleans. René’s lecture will explore the evolution of the city’s gardens.
- Dr. Tammy Greer, Director of the Southern Miss Center for American Indian Research and Studies, brings a unique perspective on the role of indigenous wild spaces in garden design. Her work emphasizes sustainability and food sovereignty through the tending of native plants.
This symposium provides a rare opportunity to delve into the rich history and design of New Orleans’ gardens, offering both historical context and practical knowledge for garden enthusiasts and professionals alike. Join us on September 14th for a day of learning, inspiration, and appreciation of the beautiful spaces that define New Orleans.