Located in the heart of Denver, the Denver Botanic Gardens cover 24 acres, divided into six different areas with plants that span the globe. I was there to experience the Spirit Guides exhibit by Jacobo and María Ángeles. It was a beautiful sunny day in early summer, a great feat given the climate in Denver. The exhibit’s colorful creatures placed throughout the sprawling gardens blending flora, fauna, and the mystical together created a joyful and thought-provoking experience. It is running from April 28 to September 8, 2024.
The exhibit is well worth adding to your itinerary in Colorado’s capital city. You can make a day of visiting the gardens on your trip to Denver with your family and friends! Here’s more about the experience and a few more things to do (and eat!) in the area.
Spirit Guides: Fantastical creatures come to life
The Armadillo and Butterfly
On our tour, the artists and their families presented four of the eight statues. I may have tried to find the other four myself, curious to see what I could absorb on my own. We started near the entrance to the gardens with a buzzing armadillo suspended above a square platform, covered with pebbles. It looked like a cubby bee from one angle, the cute round body of the armadillo with the wings similar to a bee.
I was only partially correct: The fantastic creature was actually a combination of an armadillo and a butterfly! I marveled at the colors and patterns woven together to create something that could elicit so much joy.
The second statue was just as amazing. You could clearly see it was a monkey, but instead of its soft, furry tail, you had the tail of a lizard. It looked like the spine from tip to tail was taken from an iguana. Again, the artists wove together color, pattern, and texture to create a mystical being. It had a playful expression and children were running around it, which all seemed to fit with the vision of the artists.
The third creature at first made me think of a gargoyle. It was part eagle and part deer or camel. It looked like it was out for a stroll, away from the building it had been guarding. I don’t think there’s ever an instance where an eagle wouldn’t look imposing. However, the artists, blend of colors and patterns and the stance of the feet and legs helped lessen the formidable appearance into more majestic.
The Antelope and Butterfly
The last statue on the tour was in the middle of a dark pool of water, surrounded by gray concrete. There, on a small platform, stood a mythical antelope with the beautiful wings of a butterfly, waiting as if to take flight. The inky darkness of the pool of water and the blandness of the concrete made this stunning creature stand out and take center stage. This was the only statue that we couldn’t get up close and personal with, making it somehow special.
The story behind Mexican mythical creatures
All eight of the statues are made out of fiberglass and painted with acrylics. The artists, from Oaxaca, Mexico, talked about their struggles with finding just the right medium to have statues that are able to be outside, exposed to the elements. They tried several different mediums before trying fiberglass. They built the molds out of form, covered in silicone before molding the fiberglass.
The artists have amazing and supportive children who talked with immense pride about what their parents achieved. Each statue is a blend of animals that correspond with a Zapotec astrological wheel. The colors and patterns have significance to Oaxaca.
A deeper dive into Spirit Guides and symbolism
The statues are a way to connect real life with the dead. When you look at them, you feel the joy and levity of life. All of the animals are in this peaceful state, at rest. The combination of colors and patterns blend together to make you feel happy and alive. Whether depicting the underworld of hope, the artist takes you on a journey of life and death, hope and joy. This is an exhibit worth experiencing alongside all the other incredible installations at the Denver Botanical Gardens.
Visit nearby parks and restaurants in Denver
If you are looking to make a day adventure in Denver, the Botanical Gardens are located in the Cheesman Park area, with great places to eat and visit. The gardens have two restaurants on the grounds with outdoor seating, so you can enjoy the view while you eat. After you are finished with the gardens, you can explore Cheesman Park, which is one of the most beautiful urban parks in Denver.
Or, you can head over to the Denver Museum of Nature & Science for excellent exhibits, like the Egyptian Mummies and the Gems and Minerals. If you want to stay outdoors, check out the Denver Zoo, where you can pet stingrays, see the gorilla virtual experience, or step into the Lorikeet Adventure. Both places are located at City Park, with wonderful trails or a perfect place for a picnic.
One of my favorite restaurants nearby is Fox Run Café, with an entirely gluten-free menu. Order online, take it to go, and enjoy a picnic at City Park or Cheesman Park. Fox Run has delicious coffee with homemade syrups, popular doughnut holes, and mouthwatering avocado toast. Don’t forget to try the fries! For an afternoon tasty treat, check out Licks, a popular local spot for ice cream. It will hit the spot on a hot summer day.
