Janice Jerde and Peter Del Rosso Host a Beautiful Evening for Angel, Benefactor & Patron Members of the Friends of Robinson Gardens

Peter Del Rosso and Janice Jerde

June 24th, 2023, was a lovely Saturday evening, and my husband Peter Del Rosso and I were delighted to host an Angel, Benefactor & Patron Members Dinner in our home in Brentwood. The evening began with music in our Living Room. Lynn Hutchinson, a composer & pianist, played piano, accompanied by her very talented 14-year-old daughter Sadie who played the violin. This was a very special moment that we were excited to be a part of.

The music carried through our Living Room out to the garden where we were served delicious appetizers by … Read More

The Fabulous Fellows Thank You Dinner

Left to right: Patty Reinstein, Leslie Kavanaugh, Anne-Marie Spataru, Carol Bennett, and Kerstin Royce

“It was a night of happiness and friendship,” in the words of Bernice Balson as the Fellows gathered at the very well attended Annual Appreciation Dinner on August 12, 2023, at The Virginia Robinson Gardens. The evening was a spectacular success and is held each year in appreciation of the Fellows’ generous support of the restoration and preservation of Robinson Gardens and the very popular Childrens Science Program. It is also an occasion to honor our most generous donors, including the Santa Monica Westside Legacy Fund … Read More

“Everything is Coming Up Roses”

On August 5, 2023, an enthusiastic group of rose lovers arrived at Robinson Gardens to hear horticulturist and renowned rose specialist Charlie Follette. The talk, “Everything is Coming up Roses,” was organized by Patty Elias with her usual perfection.

Patty graciously welcomed guests with a brief history of The Virginia Robinson Gardens, mentioning that our classes are sponsored by the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation in collaboration with the Friends of Robinson Gardens and that these classes are open to the public.

Charlie attended UC Berkeley and holds a BA in horticulture and plant science. He studied … Read More

Spotlight on Paola Werstler

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Each month we spotlight a volunteer, staff member, docent, donor, or sponsor of the Virginia Robinson Gardens (VRG) — those that have made an impact on the organization. We want to let you know about these wonderful people and corporations that give so much to The Virginia Robinson Gardens and to the community, and what they do that is so impactful.

This month, we spotlight Paola Werstler, a wonderful and dedicated Board Member and Patron Member of The Friends of Robinson Gardens. During the … Read More

Our Garden Tour Star Sepideh Mianaby

From time to time, we highlight “Our Garden Tour Stars” — landscape architects, florists, and interior designers who have participated at our annual Garden Tour and Showcase Estate at the Virginia Robinson Gardens. We want to let you know about these very talented designers, their inspirations, and their creations.

This month, we are featuring Sepideh Mianaby of Ivory Floral Events. At the 2023 Garden Tour, the multi-talented Sepideh designed the most gorgeous creation of a mannequin “dressed” with pink roses, foliage, and blue and white feathers which “wowed” the attendees in the Great Hall of the house.

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Spotlight on Carrie Ketchum

Carrie Ketchum in Rome

Each month we spotlight a volunteer, staff member, docent, donor, or sponsor of the Virginia Robinson Gardens (VRG) — those that have made an impact on the organization. We want to let you know about these wonderful people and corporations that give so much to The Virginia Robinson Gardens and to the community, and what they do that is so impactful.

This month, we spotlight Carrie Ketchum, a wonderful Patron member of The Friends of Robinson Gardens. A very talented filmmaker, Carrie won 13 Clio awards for her advertising work!

1. How did you first learn … Read More

Spotlight on Emina Darakjy

Each month we spotlight a volunteer, staff member, docent, donor, or sponsor of the Virginia Robinson Gardens (VRG) -- those that have made an impact on the organization. We want to let you know about these wonderful people and corporations that give so much to The Virginia Robinson Gardens and to the community, and what they do that is so impactful. This month, we spotlight Emina Darakjy, a wonderful Garden Tour volunteer and Society Member. Thanks to Emina’s efforts, we had two great classes open to the public on orchids and roses taught by experts from the Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens. She wrote excellent articles on these lectures and is a great photographer as well. Muli-talented and multi-lingual, she speaks five languages – Italian, French, English, Arabic, and German

Fabulous Fellows Visit to Suzanne Rheinstein’s Home

On June 2, 2023, thanks to our incomparable Fellows Chair Jeanne Anderson who imbues each event with her special brand of magic, the Fellows were treated to a very special tour of world renowned interior designer Suzanne Rheinstein‘s residence in Hancock Park. Suzanne recently passed away on March 20, 2023, and was a great supporter of The Virginia Robinson Gardens. Over the years, she designed several exquisite rooms at our annual Garden Tour. The Friends were thrilled to honor her as our Grand Marshal in 2016, and she gave lectures and book signings at VRG

Spotlight on Lucia Burke

Each month we spotlight a volunteer, staff member, docent, donor, or sponsor of the Virginia Robinson Gardens (VRG) -- those that have made an impact on the organization. We want to let you know about these wonderful people and corporations that give so much to The Virginia Robinson Gardens and to the community, and what they do that is so impactful. This month, we spotlight Lucia Burke, a wonderful docent and staff member. Lucia Burke is a UC-certified Master Gardener, who with the help of Estate Caretaker Josh Johnston, keeps the Kitchen Garden at VRG beautiful, welcoming, fun, and special for the kids in the Children’s Program. She has also been designing, installing, and maintaining organic vegetable gardens in private homes for over 10 years

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
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