Incognito Flamingos
Wheaton Arts Parade was asked by Brookside Gardens to assist in the reimagining of the "Children's Garden" with the installation of 5 new flamingo sculptures and a new mural. The flamingos are incognito because they are wearing the colored plumage of native species: the Northern cardinal, Baltimore Oriole, American Goldfinch, Eastern bluebird, and Ruby-throated Hummingbird. The flamingos are five flat metal sculptures, approximately 7-8 feet tall, that also function as plant holders.
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In addition to the flamingos, WAP associate artist, Peijisan Art, created a mural on the little house in the middle of the Childrens Garden. Brookside held the official "unveiing" of this new public art at their annual Children's Day celebration, but you can see them any time during park hours. The Childrens Garden is right behind the Visitors' Center.
The birds were painted by local artists who submitted their designs in response to WAP's public call. Brookside Gardens commissioned four artists to use their imagination and creativity to paint the flamingos in the plumage of native species. Three of the artist are pictured below. A fourth artist, Katherine Cordero Rivas, is not shown.
Isabelle Klimanov
Karen Rueger
Melissa Ou
Peijisan Art
The artists received a fee of $350 per flamingo. This included the cost of paint and supplies. Artists were required to use U-V resistant paint that can withstand the elements of an outdoor installation for at least five years.
The Native Bird Species and their Incognito Flamingo Designs
