State Botanical Garden of Georgia at UGA

Summer camp is in full swing at the garden! ☀️

Our campers have been exploring the natural world through hands-on lessons and outdoor adventures. So far, we have learned about Georgia wildlife, the wonders of water, and how humans have used nature throughout history. We are looking forward to the rest of the summer and what discoveries still lie ahead!

Our June Porcelain and Decorative Arts Museum Highlight features the work of Sarah Miriam Peale.

Recognized as one of the first professional female painters in the U.S., Peale is best known for her refined portraiture, graceful compositions and remarkable attention to detail.

Displayed alongside the garden’s decorative arts collection, her paintings invite visitors to reflect on the intersection of fine art, history and craftsmanship.

Slide 1: Porcelain and Decorative Arts Museum Collection Highlight: Sarah Miriam Peale

Slide 2: Sarah Miriam Peale (1800-1885) was an American painter widely regarded as the first woman in the nation to have a successful career as an artist in their lifetime.

Slide 3: She was born in Philadelphia to artist James Peale. She began her career as an assistant in his studio, where she was responsible for painting the intricate lace trimmings and fabrics of people sitting for portraits.

Slide 4: Sarah belonged to a dynasty of artists that began with her uncle, Charles Willson Peale, an important figure in early American painting. At the beginning of her career, Sarah studied with both her uncle and her cousin, Rembrandt Peale.

Slide 5: Seeking “self-dependence,” she moved first to Baltimore and later to St. Louis, enjoying steady patronage and professional success in both cities. In 1824, Sarah and her sister Anna became the first two women elected to the Pennsylvania Academy, the first art school and museum established in the U.S.

Slide 6: Despite her talent and acclaim in her lifetime, Sarah has been largely overshadowed by her male relatives. Her uncle and cousins are better known for their paintings of America’s founding fathers and still lifes.

Slide 7: Sarah painted more than portraits. Like many other painters of her day, Sarah was fascinated by the natural world, often relaying close observation of nature into paintings known as still lifes.

Slide 9: The Porcelain and Decorative Arts Museum has one painting by Sarah, a still life of ripe peaches. Since the fruit is traditionally emblematic of the state, though not its primary agricultural export, this painting of peaches is fittingly found in the Georgia Room gallery.

The State Botanical Garden is closed today, Friday, June 19, for Juneteenth National Independence Day.

Please join us in congratulating our Conservation Coordinator, Jennifer Ceska, who was recently recognized with an Award of Merit from the American Public Gardens Association!

To learn more about Jennifer and the award, visit https://tinyurl.com/ypantr9f.

The Alice H. Richards Children’s Garden Performance Series continues this month on Saturday, June 20, at the Theater in the Woods stage.

We will have performances from the musical group Sweet Georgia Brass at 9:30 and 11 a.m. This event is free and family-friendly.

Due to the forecast, tonight's Sunflower Concert Series performance by the Broken String Band will be held in the Conservatory. 🌻

There's still time to join us! Tickets are available online and at the door. Please note that only card payments will be accepted for door sales. Visit https://tinyurl.com/nhn6dkyu to learn more and purchase tickets.

We can't wait to enjoy an evening of great music in the garden, rain or shine! 🎶

The State Botanical Garden will be closed for Juneteenth National Independence Day on Friday, June 19, 2026.

Gladioli (Gladiolus spp.) are a great way to add vibrant color to both the garden and the tabletop. While they are often grown as cut flowers, they also bring striking interest to garden beds. Because their tall 3 to 5-foot flower spikes tend to flop, staking is recommended to keep them upright.

Native primarily to southern Africa, with a few species extending as far north as the Mediterranean, these heat-tolerant plants perform well in Georgia’s climate. Serious cultivation of gladiolus began in the 1800s, leading to the diverse range of colors and large blooms available today. There are both wild and cultivated gladioli currently blooming in the garden!