Garden Glory
Lotusland’s Annual Gala Raises a Million
Lotusland Celebrates
Written by Joan Tapper
Photographs by Isaac Hernandez, David Mendoza III
When the lotuses bloom at Ganna Walska Lotusland, it’s a signal that the annual gala fundraiser for the world-renowned horticultural treasure is at hand. And the signature flowers were certainly putting on a show for the 500 guests who came to celebrate The Way of the Lotus on Saturday, July 19, and the 30th year of the garden’s opening to the public.
The cause is important: raising funds to support Lotusland’s care and operation, its sustainability programs, and, crucially, the conservation of rare and threatened plants. But it’s also a lively, colorful event with a crowd that enjoys the atmospheric installations and performances, the delicious food and drink, the fast-paced auction of one-of-a-kind items, and, of course, the extraordinary surroundings. Merryl Brown Events (with its eponymous longtime patron and this year's cochair) hit it out of the park once again.
Those were on view as guests sipped lotus-themed cocktails and followed a winding path through some of Lotusland’s most iconic corners: the Japanese Garden, where dancers from Luminario Ballet performed on a platform in the lake; the Lotus Pond, where sitarist Esha Shrivastava provided the perfect soundscape; and the exhibit of Grounded Works Inspired by, Connected to, and Reclaimed from Lotusland, which showcased the work of 17 artists who incorporated parts of the venerable trees that had fallen over the winter.
The reception on the Great Lawn provided the opportunity to admire not only the extraordinary silent auction items—a custom longboard in the gala’s colors, anyone?—but also the garden-themed finery of the guests. As event cochair and garden trustee Lisa Wolf noted, “Lotusland’s incredible followers make this elegant garden event a delight to attend and to support every July.”
During the alfresco three-course dinner, catered by Duo and paired with wines by Antica Terra, actor and Montecito resident Jane Lynch proved a sparkling emcee, introducing special guests like restaurateur Alice Waters, whose ultimate farm-to-table experience and dinner at her Chez Panisse restaurant was just one of the incredible experiences on offer at the live auction. Other possibilities? A bespoke Paris tour and sojourn in Champagne, a dinner with McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown and a visit to Bruce Meyer’s personal garage, and a Daniel Boulud-prepared dinner at Tiffany’s Landmark Club, among others. In all, the event raised more than $900,000 for the garden—funds that “will significantly contribute to the growth and sustainability of our garden programs,” said event co-chair and garden trustee Ashley Adelson.
“We were thrilled to celebrate our most successful Lotusland event yet!” added executive director Rebecca Anderson. “The incredible support and generosity of our patrons will sustain this beautiful garden all year long.”
