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Art in the Gardens

Art at Tohono Chul doesn’t stop at the gallery doors; it continues throughout the gardens. As you explore the grounds, you’ll encounter works by local and international artists alongside regional geologic formations, all set within the desert landscape.

Currently on display in the gardens

Tohono Chul’s Permanent Collection

The permanent collection started in 1986 with a donation of sixty-five objects from the Estate of Mrs. Robert Wilson. Tohono Chul’s Permanent Collection has grown to include over 350 regional objects ranging from basketry, textiles, and ceramics to sculptural works and paintings. Our Permanent Collection consists of artworks and artifacts representative of the Nature, Art, and Culture of the Sonoran Desert region. Artworks by Mark Rossi, Ned Egen, Fred Borcherdt, and many others are on display year-round throughout the grounds, alongside copper ore specimens and other items from the Permanent Collection.

Fred Borcherdt

Nomad Marker

Nomad Marker

Steel , Gift of Mr. and Mrs. William A. Small Jr. , ACN0 95.1.1 , Location: Penstemon Garden

Ned Egen

Desert Sunflower

Desert Sunflower

Discarded water heater, metal, rebar , Gift of Martha Cargill , ACN0 2004.4.1 , Location: Desert Living Courtyard

Dave Stone

Regal Horned Lizard

Regal Horned Lizard

Ferro-cement, steel wire, mesh , Gift of Richard and Connie Imig , ACN0 2005.1.1 , Location: Desert Living Courtyard

Kioko Mwitiki

Horse

Horse

Reclaimed metal , Gift of Lila and Roland Wadsworth , Location: Cactus Circle

Mule Deer

Mule Deer

Reclaimed metal, poacher snare , Anonymous Donor , ACN0 2011.2.1 , Location: Sun Dial Plaza

Petrol Tank Vulture

Petrol Tank Vulture

Reclaimed metal , Gift of Tohono Chul 2012 Docent Class , ACN0 2012.2.1 , Location: Outside the Exhibit House

Standing Life-Size Vulture

Standing Life-Size Vulture

Reclaimed metal , Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Raleigh Sheffield , ACN0 2012.1.1 , Location: Outside the Exhibit House

Standing Life-Size Vulture

Standing Life-Size Vulture

Reclaimed metal , Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Raleigh Sheffield , ACN0 2012.1.1 , Location: Outside the Exhibit House

Mark Rossi

Javelina Family

Javelina Family

Bronze , Gift of Sharon and Larry Malcolmson , ACN0 2007.7.3-6 , Location: Behind the Main Gallery

Male Desert Tortoise

Male Desert Tortoise

Bronze , Gift of Martha Cargill and John Lovett , ACN0 2009.5.1 , Location: Desert Living Courtyard

New Generation

New Generation

Bronze , Gift of Mrs. Martha Cargill , ACN0 2003.1.1 , Location: Desert Living Courtyard

Reclining Male Bobcat

Reclining Male Bobcat

Bronze , Gift of Sharon and Larry Malcolmson , ACN0 2007.7.1 , Location: Desert Living Courtyard

Reclining Coyote

Reclining Coyote

Bronze , Gift of Sharon and Larry Malcolmson , ACN0 2007.7.2 , Location: Sonoran Seasons Garden

Two Cactus Wrens

Two Cactus Wrens

Bronze , Museum purchase with funds from Poco Locos , ACNO 2009.2.1 , Location: Outside Education

New Generation

New Generation

Bronze , Gift of Mrs. Martha Cargill , ACN0 2003.1.1 , Location: Desert Living Courtyard

Reclining Male Bobcat

Reclining Male Bobcat

Bronze , Gift of Sharon and Larry Malcolmson , ACN0 2007.7.1 , Location: Desert Living Courtyard

Reclining Coyote

Reclining Coyote

Bronze , Gift of Sharon and Larry Malcolmson , ACN0 2007.7.2 , Location: Sonoran Seasons Garden

Two Cactus Wrens

Two Cactus Wrens

Bronze , Museum purchase with funds from Poco Locos , ACNO 2009.2.1 , Location: Outside Education

Sculpture In the Gardens

Artwork by Steven Dirks, Patrick Hynes, Joy Fox, Phil Lichtenhan, Tidhar Ozeri and Ole Torgenson are on display throughout the gardens and available for sale.

Steven Derks

Angle, Form and Desire

Angle, Form and Desire

Steel , $3600 , Location: South Loop Trail

Joy Fox

Black Seed

Black Seed

Ceramic , $5900 , Location: Sun Dial Plaza

In Memory of Ozette

In Memory of Ozette

Ceramic , $5900 , Location: Sun Dial Plaza

Tia

Tia

Ceramic , $3200 , Location: Near the Penstemon Garden

Tio

Tio

Ceramic , $3200 , Location: Near the Cactus Circle

Tio

Tio

Ceramic , $3200 , Location: Near the Cactus Circle

Patrick Hynes

Bee and Butterfly Man

Bee and Butterfly Man

Wood, metal and terracotta , $300 , Location: Sin Agua Garden

Phil Lichtenhan

Flotsam

Flotsam

Mixed metals and ceramic , $1800 , Location: Exhibit House Patio

Nest

Nest

Mixed metals and ceramic , $4200 , Location: Streamside Gardens

Nest

Nest

Mixed metals and ceramic , $5800 , Location: Sun Dial Plaza

Surveying Device

Surveying Device

Mixed metals and ceramic , $2500 , Location: South Loop Trail

Surveying Device

Surveying Device

Mixed metals and ceramic , $2500 , Location: South Loop Trail

Tidhar Ozeri

Agave

Agave

Mild steel , $2200 , Location: Overlook

If you would like more information about the artwork, please contact James Schaub at 520-742-6455 x 218 or jschaub@tohonochul.org