Fascinating Talk on Architect Julia Morgan at VRG by Victoria Kastner

What a joy it was to hear the eloquent and vivacious author and noted historian Victoria Kastner speak about her latest book, Julia Morgan: An Intimate Biography of the Trailblazing Architect on October 1, 2024, at The Virginia Robinson Gardens. Victoria highlighted the interesting similarities between Julia Morgan’s garden designs for San Simeon and the garden themes and plantings at Robinson Gardens: two elaborate Mediterranean gardens, created only eight years apart. 

Architectural Historian Steven Keylon Enchants Guests at FRG Membership Event

President of the Friends Lynn Whitaker and Archive Chair Patty Elias organized a magical and brilliant membership celebration at The Virginia Robinson Gardens on October 17, 2024. Spectacular autumnal arrangements by florist extraordinaire George Martinez of George’s Garden greeted the distinguished guests as they entered the Robinson estate in the late afternoon. The fall-themed arrangements decorated the cocktail tables and other areas on the Great Lawn, enhancing the Gardens’ beauty everywhere you looked.

Garden Designer Nancy Goslee Power Speaks at VRG

The word went out on our website that the famed garden designer Nancy Goslee Power was speaking at The Virginia Robinson Gardens on April 18, 2024! Her talk would focus on La Foce, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in southwest Tuscany and Susan Rheinstein’s final garden in Montecito Garden which she lovingly designed. The famed California historian Kevin Starr once remarked, “Nancy Goslee Power is to landscape what Frank Gehry is to architecture.” The event sold out immediately! Her talk began with the background of the fabled property of La Foce, which extends over the hills overlooking the Val d’Orcia, an enchanting and miraculously unspoiled valley in southern Tuscany, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004.

Summary of Marc Appleton and Bret Parsons’ Presentation on Architect Paul Williams

For an intimately sized audience seated in the Billiard Room of the Virginia Robinsons’ Pool Pavilion on March 21, 2024, Marc Appleton and Bret Parsons presented a retrospective talk on the career of noted architect Paul R. Williams (1894-1980). They provided great depth and insight into the man and his astonishing career as an architect. Williams was the first black man accepted into the American Institute of Architecture. And who some 20 years into his career, obtained the pristine status as a “Fellow” in this organization.

A Passion for Cars: “Tales From the Garage” by Rodney Kemerer

Rodney Kemerer’s personality lit up the entire room as he spoke with eloquence and humor about his new book, Tales From the Garage, at The Virginia Robinson Gardens on February 22, 2024. A car buff and avid reader of car magazines, Rodney was excited when he discerned that he had the desire and the ability to successfully write about his favorite topic…cars! His first articles were

George Geary Delights Audience with his Latest Book on LA Restaurants

Extremely knowledgeable and entertaining, best-selling author and renowned educator George Geary kept the audience in stitches with his fascinating tales about the culinary world in his latest book, LA’s Landmark Restaurants: Celebrating the Legendary Locations Where Angelenos have Dined for Generations on October 11, 2023, at The Virginia Robinson Gardens. The Friends have been very fortunate to have George speak at the Gardens twice before about his previous two books, LA’s Legendary Restaurants and Made in California. Our wonderful President Lynn Whitaker, standing in for Education Chair Adrienne Horwitch, warmly welcomed the guests as they mingled and enjoyed mimosas

Gorgeous Lecture by Maria Hummer-Tuttle on Her Book, “Objects of Desire”

Sophisticated, refined, intelligent, and beautiful, Maria Hammer-Tuttle enchanted the audience with her personal stories about the exquisite objects in her extraordinary collection featured in her book on September 13, 2023, at The Virginia Robinson Gardens. A tremendously beautiful book, Object of Desire is a celebration of the hunt for and the joy of living with objects we accumulate that are precious, not only for their beauty, uniqueness, and craftsmanship, but also for their connection to the past and the future, and for their resonance with one another. The foreword is written by famed ceramicist and author Edmund de Vaal, who wrote the book, The Hare with the Amber Eyes. The photographs are by the renowned and very talented photographer Miguel Flores-Vianna. A sumptuous book with exquisite layouts, poetic text, and surprises on every page, it is a true feast for the eyes and the soul

Carolyn Bennett’s Stunning Lecture on Artists Inspired by Gardens

On April 26, 2023, at The Virginia Robinson Gardens, researcher and lecturer Carolyn Bennett gave an enthralling and fascinating presentation titled, “Artists in the Shadows: Women Who Turned Gardens into Art.” Past President Kerstin Royce, standing in for Education Chair Adrienne Horwitch, warmly welcomed the guests at this sold-out lecture. Jeanne Anderson introduced Carolyn who speaks on a variety of garden and other landscape-related issues, including garden conservation. She received her master’s degree in the Conservation of Historic Landscapes, Parks and Gardens from the Architectural Association School of Architecture in London. In Los Angeles, she ran the Barn Studio Lecture Series for landscape designer Nancy Goslee Power & Associates in Santa Monica

Scintillating Lecture by Worthy McCartney on Cartier

On Friday, March 17, 2023, the tables, the guests, and Worthy’s McCartney’s resplendent images in her slide lecture on Cartier all sparkled brightly in the Pool Pavilion at The Virginia Robinson Gardens. In honor of Saint Patrick’s Day and the lecture, many guests were festively bedecked in green and adorned with Cartier jewelry. Thanks to Education Chair Adrienne Horwitch, it was an elegant and fabulous affair. Adrienne introduced Worthy, the Regional High Jewelry Sales Director for Cartier, and a longtime Patron Member of the Friends of Robinson Gardens. She has traveled extensively to Europe and throughout the United States and has managed their stores in the US. Adrienne added that Worthy is a mentor to newer team members for Cartier’s high end collection pieces

Lecture on “Making the Exhibition, Lee Alexander McQueen: Mind, Mythos, Muse” Wows Audience

After a brief hiatus, the Education lectures resumed on February 16, 2023 at the Virginia Robinson Gardens with a terrific lecture on the making of the Lee Alexander McQueen exhibit at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art in 2022. Thanks to Education Chair Adrienne Horwitch, it was a glamorous and exquisite event from the beautiful tables to the lavish lunch and the exciting lecture in the historic Pool Pavilion. Several attendees came dressed in McQueen’s fashions, adding to the festiveness of the occasion
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