News Archive

Christina Hanson ~ Paper Botanicals: Sculptures of Plants and Their Communities ~ September 4-28, 2024

From the artist’s statement:

“Completion of these sculptures is not a fast process. Some flowers and inflorescences can take a day or more to make, a finished sculpture generally takes weeks of work. The pieces are all made by hand using various papers, professional watercolor paints and pastels. They are surprisingly sturdy, lightfast and made to last for many years. Moving forward, I plan to continue explore what flowers I can create out of paper, improve on those that I already make, expand upon the fungi and fauna components of the sculptures and I also really want to figure out how to make an orchid with a moveable hinged lip and a Venus flytrap that will snap shut. I would love to someday work with public institutions creating botanical components of natural history dioramas.”

Meet the artist at an opening reception on Monday, September 9, from 5 to 7 pm.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Linda Vorobik ~ Blues and Golds: Botanical Art & Hand-Painted Silks ~ August 2 -28, 2024

Beautiful blues and summer golds thread through Linda’s botanical art, hand-painted silk scarves, and wall hangings. Linda’s botanical art comes from a scientific perspective, as she has illustrated hundreds of species for floras and botanical monographs. Here she presents several images of one of her favorite groups of plants, the sunflower family (Asteraceae) and contrasts them with the blues of Delphinium, Camas, Gentiana, and Brodiaea. She includes images of  other favorite plant groups, ferns and orchids, and examples of her illustrations of the Channel Islands flora.

The exhibit is open during library hours August 2-28. Please join Linda on Monday, August 5, for a 5-7 pm reception in the library; light refreshments will be served.

 

 

 

 

Sally Kim-Miller ~ Botanical Photography: The Sun and Alternative Processes ~ July 2-30, 2024

From the artist’s statement:

Throughout history, the sun has been the source of natural light and heat to sustain life for all living beings. Humans, plants, flowers, and animals all depend on the sun for food, for warmth, for health, for energy, and also for creating beauty.

My current body of work uses this power of the sun to create beauty. I select and arrange botanical specimens and expose them to the sun by using different photographic processes. For example, the chlorophyll print process uses the sunlight to activate photosynthesis in the leaf to then “develop” the photographic image onto the leaf. This is a unique collaboration between the sun, the leaf, and the photographer. Another example is the lumen print process. The botanicals are placed on photographic paper and exposed to the sun for hours, which then produce a whole different set of colors of the specimen, not ordinarily seen.

The exhibit is open during library hours July 2-30.

Meet the artist at a reception Monday, July 8, from 5-7 pm.

 

 

Maja Sereda ~ Wild Guardians ~ June 3-27, 2024

From the artist’s statement:

In the jungle, as in our daily lives, everything is in perpetual transition. As an immigrant artist, I am captivated by the cyclical nature of existence – the biogenic scum forming and dissipating, the metamorphosis of green leaves into hues of purple, the transformation of mud into a habitat for termites and a haven for cicadas. I find myself dwelling in the in-between states, transfixed by the processes that mirror the fleetingness of life. Nature is a sanctuary, a muse, and media in my work.

As Rene Magritte said, “Everything we see hides another thing, we always want to see what is hidden by what we see.” My work is an invitation to slow down and see what is hidden. 

The exhibit is open during library hours June 3-27. Meet the artist at a reception Saturday, June 8, from noon to 2 pm.

 

Katy Gilmore ~ Earth Apparelled with Plants:

Watercolors, Artists’ Books, and Hand-Colored Prints

May 2 – 30, 2024

From the artist’s statement:

For the title of this exhibition, I used a phrase from John Gerard’s “Dedicatorie” to his Herball, originally published in 1597: “…what greater delight is there than to behold the earth apparelled with plants?” And I hope my pieces for this exhibition honor that thought. There are big watercolor paintings of meadow flowers, drawn and painted from life in season, and 24 hand-colored prints of watercolors of flowers from my garden, painted from January to December of 2023. Also included are 20 “Pockets Books,” a winter project, illuminating that “greater delight” and also being a nod to libraries – to the Miller Library in particular – a rich resource of horticulture books about the earth “apparelled with plants.”

 

 

 

Aki Sogabe ~ Walking in Nature : Paper Cutting
April 2 – 29, 2024

From the artist’s statement:

“My medium, paper cutting [kiri-e in Japanese], is an ancient and traditional art form. I have created my own style and made it a fine art. I like to use this art form to depict delicate Northwest nature scenes stylized with Japanese sensibilities.

“Inspired by Edo period printmaster Hokusai Katsushika, I began making paper cuts as a junior high school student. For a long time, I did it as a hobby for myself, and sometimes would give them to my friends, but never thought that I was going to be a professional artist.

“I use an X-Acto knife to cut out a design and add hand-colored rice papers underneath the stencil. Next, the entire image is glued onto an illustration board.

“When I am cutting my work among the scattered bits of paper, I feel most content and happy.”

Meet the artist during the Garden Lovers’ Book Sale ticketed event Friday April 5, 5 to 8 p.m. and the free event Saturday April 6, from 9 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. 

Garden Lovers’ Book Sale ~ April 5-6, 2024

Join us April 5th and 6th for our annual book sale. Enjoy the company of fellow plant lovers, browsing thousands of gently used books for sale on gardening, plants, ecology and related topics.

The Opening Night event Friday, April 5 from 5 to 8 pm, includes the book sale, a silent auction, food and drink. Tickets are available at the door.

No registration is required for the Saturday book sale, which runs from 9 am to 3 pm.

Interested in volunteering? Please contact Nick Williams at nickjpw@uw.edu to sign up. Shifts include setting up Friday morning, the opening night party, or takedown on Saturday afternoon.

 

 

 

 

Rainer Waldman Adkins ~ Miscellanea: Drawings & Paintings  

March 2 – 29, 2024

From the artist’s statement:

“I’m oriented to drawing as an empathic language, while also engaged in plein air and studio painting, muralism, printmaking and lettering. Of all these, I find that drawing is especially kinetic, demanding intense observation and concentration.

“Much of the work in this show responds to natural beauty and form. Being in nature is remarkably calming and ‘makes my soul sing.’ Other works show natural forms affected by human greed, insistence on domination and violence. Therefore, the tense dance between natural beauty and power, and wounded trees and landscapes.”

Meet the artist Monday March 11, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

 

 

 

Paintings by Rebecca Dvorin Strong ~ February 2-28, 2024

Artist statement:

“My goals as an artist are to express the beauty, mystery, and poetry of Nature, and to create highly personal artworks that also represent wider human concerns. To help invite the viewer into the experience of my artworks, I also display the processes, mediums, and studies that led to the creation of my work.

“This show has paintings of plants, trees, bees, flowers, and fruits painted in oil, gouache, watercolor, ink, and mixed media. I use these mediums in multiple layers of transparent, translucent, and opaque colors to create the illusion of light, space, and atmospheric conditions and to produce a luminous quality.

“I make close observations of the natural world, and I am especially interested in conveying stages of growth, exploring inner worlds through the symbolism of realistic natural objects, and expressing environmental concerns.”

 

 

Nature and the Book: An Exhibition of the Puget Sound Book Artists ~ January 4-30, 2024

Puget Sound Book Artists (PSBA)  is pleased to sponsor the Nature and the Book exhibit. PSBA is a non-profit educational organization founded in 2010 for the purpose of creating a spirit of community among book artists and those who love books. In this exhibit, we are pleased to share the work of a number of accomplished local artists.   The books on display showcase how artists have used the format of the book to express their love of nature and our environment.

Over nineteen featured artists take the viewers on a journey: a walk in a local meadow; an exploration of bark beetles;  an examination of local native plants; an understanding of the emerging ecosystems of Mt. St. Helens. These works showcase the enduring power of the book as a powerful catalyst for sharing ideas and inspiring us through the integration of text, images, and three-dimensional interactive structures.

Reception on Saturday, January 20 from 12 to 2 p.m. in the library.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Arts and Crafts Exhibit and Sale ~ December 4-29, 2023

Four local artists are featured in this year’s group show and sale:

Chavah’s Garden ~ tea towels and kitchenware
Dorothy Crandell ~ natural stone bead necklaces
Molly Hashimoto ~ paintings, prints and cards
Kathleen Ashby Atkins ~ photography and knitwear

Meet the artists Monday, December 4 from 5 to 7 pm in the library.

 

 

 

Paintings & Prints by Molly Hashimoto ~ November 2-December 4, 2023

Molly Hashimoto returns to the Miller Library this month with new paintings and prints featuring Northwest trees, landscapes, flowers, and insects. Her block print “Scarlet Paintbrush and Northwestern Fritillary” is shown here.

The exhibit is open during library hours. Library visitors can meet the artist and learn about her techniques on Thursday, November 2 from 1:30 to 3:30 pm.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Secret Beauty: Native Plants of the Pacific Northwest by Lisa Snow Lady ~ October 3-30, 2023

Seattle native Lisa Snow Lady’s acrylic paintings and layered paper collages feature Northwest flora and the pollinators these plants support. From the artist’s statement:

I think there is a hidden or secret beauty embedded in the plants that are native to a particular region. While my own small urban garden contains many non-native species I am starting to incorporate more of the smaller native plants into it in order to attract native birds and pollinators.

For this exhibit I have done research on the plants that are native to the Pacific Northwest, and in some cases a little beyond. They are not meant to be botanically accurate renditions […] but rather artistic interpretations. I employed the medium of collage with cut and torn paper for a playful approach.

The exhibit is open during library hours. The artist is hosting a reception Saturday, October 7, from noon to 2:00 pm.

 

“Ecologies of Memory,” The 2023 Elisabeth Miller Memorial Lecture, by Sara Zewde

Don’t miss the 2023 Miller Memorial Lecture, available online until October 31, featuring Sara Zewde sharing her recent work on Frederick Law Olmsted’s often-overlooked years in the U.S. South and how that research has influenced Studio Zewde’s work designing meaningful public spaces that bring together ecology, culture, history, and community.

Zewde is Assistant Professor of Practice at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design and Founding Principal of Studio Zewde. She brings years of experience leading complex design processes across the Americas.

The annual Elisabeth Miller Memorial Lecture is presented by the Pendleton & Elisabeth Carey Miller Charitable Foundation with support by the Elisabeth C. Miller Botanical Garden, the Elisabeth C. Miller Library, the Northwest Horticultural Society, and Great Plant Picks.

 

 

 

 

Fruiting Bodies: Art by Heather Talbot ~ September 5-29, 2023

Fruiting Bodies features Heather Talbot’s pen and ink drawings, thread drawings, and needle felted works. From the artist’s statement:

“I am drawn to the concepts of impermanence, interconnectedness and interdependence, and use my art as a way of exploring these concepts. I’m interested in systems and how sometimes small and apparently insignificant elements of a system can be so essential to its healthy functioning.

“I consider each piece of work I undertake to be an exploration into a more deep and full understanding of one aspect of the living web of life of which I am also a part. Fungi are so fascinating to me, not just because they are so varied and beautiful in form, but because they are the fruiting bodies of these vast, invisible webs that are so essential to the healthy functioning of a forest and so exemplify these notions of impermanence, inter-connectedness and interdependence so beautifully.”

 

 

 

 

Denizens of Oak and Fire: Paintings by Linda Andrews, August 2-30, 2023

“Through this collection of watercolor and mixed media paintings I invite the viewer to celebrate the intricate relationships between plant and animal species found in the imperiled Cascade prairie-oak habitats. These paintings explore the interactions of these species with each other, with humans, and with our ever-changing world. The prairie-oak habitats, which now only occupy 3% of their historic range, are home to some of the most threatened species in the region.

“Through my artwork, I aim to shed light on the preciousness of these special ecosystems. Climate change, urban and suburban sprawl, agriculture, fire suppression, lack of awareness, and the introduction of invasive plants and animals all contribute to the difficulty of conserving these unique places. Some of the creatures depicted in my paintings could easily be overlooked due to their small size. It is my hope that viewers will not only appreciate their beauty but also recognize the complexity of their existence.”

Opening reception: Thursday August 3 from 5 – 7 p.m. The exhibit is open during library hours.

Awonoyoh: Art of Japanese Indigo ~ July 6 – 27, 2023

The Miller Library welcomes Takayuki Ishii (also known as Awonoyoh) with his indigo-dyed works July 6-27.

He has studied shibori, katazome, batik and other techniques relating to indigo. He farms indigo, collecting the leaves and producing sukumo. Sukumo, made from fermented indigo leaves, is used to build Japanese style indigo vats. This process is disappearing, with less than a dozen remaining makers in Japan.

The artist will host a reception at the Miller Library on Monday, July 10, from 5-7 pm. The exhibit is open during library hours.

Don’t miss his concurrent exhibit at the Seattle Japanese Garden.

 

 

 

 

  Alight: Painted Portraits of Small Songbirds by Suzanne Brooker  ~  June 1 – 29, 2023

“When I began work on this series I didn’t realize how compelling painting birds would become. Everything about them is precise, from the shape and length of the beck to the complex layered pattern of their feathers. In contrast, a bird’s photograph will often show the background as vaguely blurred foliage that needed imaginative invention to succeed as a painted image. Another ongoing challenge was how to keep the painting from becoming stiff and lifeless even if it meant losing some precision. I eventually settled on using smooth gesso boards which could hold all the finest details as the transparent layers of oil paint created a surface much like watercolor or egg tempera.

“Painting birds kept me company during the lockdown and self-isolation of the Covid pandemic. They invited a quiet meditation on metaphors of flight, freedom, or movement. I stayed home while the birds soared.”

Meet the artist Thursday, June 8, from 2 to 4 p.m.

Resilience: The 2023 Student Plant Research Exhibit

Each year, the Miller Library hosts an exhibit to showcase some of the great work being done on plants by UW students. We are thrilled to announce this year’s exhibit features nine projects, collectively shedding insights on the theme of resilience. View the full digital exhibit here.

This digital exhibit will be featured on our website from May 5th through June 15th.

 

 

Essential: Art by Christie Tirado ~ May 1 – May 27, 2023

 

The Miller Library welcomes Christie Tirado for a solo show May 1-27. Tirado’s artwork revolves around the many diasporas that compose her Mexican American identity. For the past five years, she has centered her artistic practice on creating pieces that articulate the various dimensions that characterize the work of migrant farm working communities in the central region of Washington State.

To learn more, please visit her website at christietiradoarte.com or follow her on Instagram:@Christietirado_arte or Facebook: Christie Tirado Arte. She will also host a reception at the Miller Library on Saturday, May 6, from noon to 2 pm.

 

 

 

2023 Garden Lovers’ Book Sale

Our Garden Lovers’ Book Sale event is done for this year, but we still have plenty of wonderful used books left at reduced prices.

Check out the post-sale sale in the Miller Library Program Room through the end of April. We can only accept cash or check for this sale.

 

 

 

 

 

Pacific Northwest Botanical Artists exhibit March 31-April 26

The Pacific Northwest Botanical Artists (PNBA) are pleased to present their 16^th Annual Elisabeth C. Miller Library exhibit.

PNBA is a chapter of the American Society of Botanical Artists, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting public awareness of contemporary botanical art, honoring its traditions and furthering its development.

The in-person exhibit runs March 31 through April 26 during Library open hours. Artwork will be for sale (cash or check) throughout the month, with a portion of the sales benefiting the Library.

 

 

Rosemary Washington: Playing with Color ~ March 1 – 28, 2023

Rosemary Washington returns to the Miller Library with new watercolor work featuring vegetables, fruits, and flowers. Since 2012, Rosemary has had four exhibits of her watercolors at the library, including the current one. Each showed her growth into new styles and directions. One constant is finding inspiration in nature and the commonplace.

Rosemary considers herself a true amateur, one who pursues art for the love of it. There is no goal in mind, so she is free to evolve, experiment, and follow her urges. By focusing on regular, frequent practice (ideally picking up a paintbrush every day) and making small paintings, she is able to create a quantity of works that allow new directions to emerge in an unstudied, natural way. In the future, Rosemary hopes to further experiment with watercolor, gouache, and collage. She expects joyful surprises.

Some of her collage work is part of a virtual exhibit.

The exhibit is open during Library hours. All sales by cash or check only. Buyers can pick up their art on or after March 29. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the UW Miller Library Fund.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From a Paper Garden ~ Sculptures by Christina Hanson  February 1 – 25, 2023

Christina Hanson creates botanically accurate sculptures from paper and wire. A co-founder of the Pacific Northwest Vivarium Society and an orchid enthusiast, she is also a lab manager in the Edmonds College department of Biology and Environmental Sciences.

In Christina’s words, “I intend for my botanical sculptures to highlight both the beauty of flowers to all of us as well as their importance in the ecosystem. I focus on making flowers that despite being common or garden variety (or even weedy) are important forage for pollinating insects and birds. In addition to flowers, wherever possible I try to include less showy, but no less important plants such as ferns and mosses.”

Meet the artist at an opening reception in the Miller Library on Saturday, February 4, 2023, from 12:30-2:30.

The exhibit is open during Library hours.

Fern Books in the Miller Library ~ January 4 – 28, 2023

 

The Miller Library has an outstanding collection of books on ferns, both old and new.  A selection of favorites by the Curator of Horticultural Literature, Brian Thompson, will be on display from January 4 to 28. Many of these books were gifts from the Hardy Fern Foundation, a local organization founded in 1989 that has a large international membership of fern fanciers.

The exhibit is open during Library hours.

In conjunction with this exhibit, Brian will present a webinar for the Northwest Horticultural Society on the rarer fern books in the Miller Library collection, especially those published during the Victorian fern craze. This presentation will be on Wednesday, January 25 from 6:30-8:00pm. More details and registration are available at northwesthort.org

 

Arts & Crafts Exhibit and Sale ~ December 7 – 29, 2022

This month we feature the work of four local artists: Kupava Art Home’s felted insect pins and botanical ceramics; Chavah’s Garden nature-themed tea towels and mugs; Dorothy Crandell’s natural stone necklaces; a selection of Molly Hashimoto’s prints, books, cards, and paintings. A portion of proceeds will go toward supporting the Miller Library.

Meet the artists Thursday, December 8, from 5 to 7 p.m.

Paintings & Prints by Molly Hashimoto ~ November 2 – December 5, 2022

 

The Miller Library is delighted to host an exhibit of paintings and prints by Molly Hashimoto once more. This year she will share original watercolors from her new book, Trees of the West: an Artist’s Guide.

The exhibit is open November 2-December 5 during Library hours. Molly’s work will remain on display during our December Arts and Crafts show and sale.

Meet the artist Thursday, November 3, from 5 to 7 pm, in the Library.

 

Mushrooms: Fiber Art by Kaylin Francis ~ October 3-28, 2022

Kaylin Francis returns to the Miller Library’s exhibit space with her new work. This Seattle artist has been working with fiber since she learned cross-stitch as a preteen. Her training also includes needlepoint, quilting, felting, dyeing, screenprinting, and origami.

From the artist: “This show came about because of my love of nature and color. Mushrooms are curious and amazing things. There are as many mushrooms as
there are colors in the universe. My aim is to capture the color, the look, and the feel of mushrooms; at least my version of it.”

Meet the artist Saturday October 8 from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.

Cose Naturali – Natural Things: art by Renée Simard ~ September 6-29, 2022

We welcome Renée Simard to the Miller Library this September with her new exhibit, Cose Naturali – Natural Things. In the artist’s own words:

My eyes are attracted to colors and movements. My head preoccupied by thoughts, sounds, and even smells. The world we live in provides endless distractions…

Natural things. On walks, the beauty I see in tree trunks, weeds, wilting flowers can often stop me in my tracks. Images strike me and I can’t wait to put them on canvas.

The oil paintings and silverpoint drawings I am honored to show here illustrate moments when I filter out stimuli. This series, titled Cose Naturali – Natural Things, represents part of my artist’s relationship with nature.

The exhibit is open during Library hours. Meet the artist in the Library on Monday, September 26 from 5:00 to 6:30 pm.

Nikkei Garden Blues: Japanese American Generations – Art by Kathy Hattori & Michelle Kumata – August 2-30, 2022

Textile artist Kathy Hattori and painter Michelle Kumata present works that reflect on the past, present, and future of the Japanese American community.

Kathy’s plant-dyed works combine indigo dye with traditional and innovative techniques. Michelle’s portraits and mixed media works celebrate the resilience of our Nikkei community.

Meet artists Michelle Kumata, Kathy Hattori, and Botanical Colors studio assistant Kate Rosendale on Thursday August 4, 5-7 p.m.

Katy Gilmore: Flower Pleasure — July 5-28, 2022

Katy Gilmore is a Northwest artist who now lives on Bainbridge Island. In watercolors and artists’ books, and a series of bookmarks, this show celebrates flowers – those miraculous, beautiful, often taken-for-granted, essentials of our world. The artist writes:

“Recognizing the threat of climate change to flowers and all our fragile world, the paintings and words here are a record of what we stand to lose – the joy, the beauty, the essential. On bad days I fear my endeavors are a record of conditions and events threatened existentially, on good days I believe in the important work to make note and celebrate the miracle of seasons and renewal, the adaptations by critter and plant, the uniqueness of species.”

Exhibit open during Library hours.

Meet the artist on Thursday, July 7 from 3 to 5 pm in the Elisabeth C. Miller Library.

Suze Woolf: Bark Beetle Books — June 2-29, 2022

Please join us in welcoming Suze Woolf to the Miller Library this month. She brings a selection of her Bark Beetle Books. These sculptural artist books are part of an ongoing series (forty volumes so far), some of which were shown at Bainbridge Island Museum of Art this spring.

Exhibit open during Library hours.

Meet the artist on Thursday, June 2, from 5 to 7 pm in the Elisabeth C. Miller Library.

Pacific Northwest Botanical Artists: Forest, Field & Garden ~ April 2-May 24, 2022

The Pacific Northwest Botanical Artists (PNBA) are pleased to present their 15^th Annual Elisabeth C. Miller Library exhibit.

PNBA is a chapter of the American Society of Botanical Artists, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting public awareness of contemporary botanical art, honoring its traditions and furthering its development.

The in-person exhibit runs April 2 through May 24 during Library open hours. Artwork will be for sale throughout the month, with a portion of the sales benefiting the Library. The virtual exhibit runs from April 6 through May 18.

Field Notes by Lou Cabeen ~ March 3-30, 2022

Lou Cabeen returns to the Miller Library this month with new work that combines plant study with book stitching, embroidery, and painting. In her own words:

The artworks in this exhibition are my Field Notes of life in pandemic isolation. The horizons of my world narrowed to my yard, my immediate neighborhood, and the Union Bay Natural Area. In the face of cancellations, postponements, supply shortages, grief and worry, the life arising from the dirt under my feet provided companionship. Collecting specimens, making drawings, studying maps helped deepen my awareness of these fellow travelers, who flourished immune from politics and the virus.

Please join us for a meet-the-artist event at the Miller Library on Thursday, March 3,  5 to 7 pm. Proof of vaccination is required for this evening event. If you are a student or employee of the UW, please bring your Husky Card. All other guests over the age of 12 will need to provide proof of vaccination or proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test.

Exhibit open during Library open hours.

Lewisias by Micheal Moshier ~ February 1-26, 2022

Micheal Moshier’s family has generously donated his original artwork for LeRoy Davidson’s 2000 monograph Lewisias to the Miller Library, and we are so excited to feature these plant portraits in our exhibit space this month. In the words of donor Jeff Uebel:

“My uncle, Micheal Moshier, was a talented, prolific landscape and plant artist and a skilled, dedicated landscape designer and craftsman. He traveled and worked all along the West Coast and Hawaii, but his home base was the Puget Sound, especially right here in and around Seattle’s Washington Park Arboretum. He is probably best known for his incredibly detailed pen, ink and graphite depictions of sun and cloud-drenched Cascade and Olympic peaks and waterfalls, rocky outcrops and islands in the Puget Sound, and placid scenes along Lake Washington. He was equally fascinated by and recorded the tiny components of these areas: mushrooms, flowers, leaves, kelp and stones.

“He was particularly proud of his work with LeRoy Davidson to create the monograph Lewisias and asked that his illustrations for that work be kept together, to be shared and enjoyed by as many people as possible. We hope that you do enjoy them.”

Exhibit open during Library open hours.

 

New Landscapes by Juliet Shen ~ January 4-29, 2022

We welcome Juliet Shen to the library’s public exhibit space this month with her New Landscapes. She grew up in New York City and has lived in Seattle, Washington since 1983.
Juliet has experimented with compositions that pay homage to the Chinese landscape tradition, but with a contemporary approach. Some of her work reflects environmental issues in the Pacific Northwest, such as the restoration of the Elwha River following dam removals and the daylighting of urban streams in Seattle. She paints wetlands, wild rivers, and tidal currents in a semi-abstract style that relies on fine brushwork.
Of this series, she says, “I am inspired by the beauty and contradiction coexisting in our local ecozones. I see landscapes as mirrors of human conduct.”
Exhibit open during Library open hours.

Arts & Crafts Exhibit and Sale – December 2-29

Four artists join us this year with art work and crafts that celebrate nature:

• Al Dodson takes engaging photographs of birds and trees available framed or as prints
• Molly Hashimoto creates watercolors and wood block prints inspired by Northwest natural areas
• Kupava Art Home crafts hand-thrown ceramic plates and bowls with floral motifs
• Chavah’s Garden produces kitchen linens, stickers, and other objects with illustrations of insects, animals, and plants

Art Exhibit: Mt. Rainier National Park: An Artist’s Tour by Molly Hashimoto

The Miller Library is once again delighted to host an exhibit of paintings and prints by Molly Hashimoto. This year she presents original watercolors from her new book Mount Rainier National Park: an Artist’s Tour. Unchanged: The Miller Library is once again delighted to host an exhibit of paintings and prints by Molly Hashimoto. This year she presents original watercolors from her new book Mount Rainier National Park: an Artist’s Tour.

Meet the artist on Thursday, November 4th from 5 to 7pm. Proof of vaccination required for the opening event: COVID-19 vaccination is required for in-person event attendance at UW, including this event. If you are a student or employee of the UW, please bring your Husky Card. All other guests over the age of 12 will need to provide proof of vaccination or proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of the event. Masking is required for all attendees. Acceptable proof options are detailed at: vaccine-requirement-in-person-event.pdf

October 2021 Exhibit: Layers by Rosemary Washington

We are pleased to welcome back Rosemary Washington to share her watercolors in the Miller Library during the month of October. The artist notes: “The paintings in this ‘Layers’ series play with pattern, form, repetition, negative space, and color values and combinations with the goal of creating a beautiful, harmonious composition.”

2021 Elisabeth C. Miller Memorial Lecture

The Miller Botanical Garden is pleased to announce the 2021 Elisabeth C. Miller Memorial Lecture – this year a Webinar on Saturday, September 18th at 10:00 am featuring:
Dan Pearson, noted British Landscape Designer, Horticulturist, Writer, and Gardener.
The Webinar Lecture is FREE!
To receive the link to register for the 2021 Webinar Lecture, email your request to:
info@millergarden.org

September 2021 Virtual Exhibit: A Year of Musing and Contemplation by Renée Simard

Artist statement: “Just like many artists over centuries, I am fascinated and inspired by the natural world. An unglamorous little trampled leaf can be as striking as a grandiose landscape. I want to be a visual poet of what is often overlooked – the effects of time, seasons, decay and renewal.”

August 2021 Virtual Exhibit: Northwest Nikkei by Michelle Kumata

The Miller Library is please to showcase artworks by Michelle Kumata in August. See the work in person at the Japanese Garden starting August 10th.

July 2021 Virtual Exhibit: Unknowns by Markel Uriu

The Elisabeth C. Miller Library is pleased to showcase new work from Markel Uriu in July. Virtual Exhibit.

Featuring Garden of Pride Recommended Books for June 2021

The Miller Library staff celebrates Pride Month with a collection of our best resources by and about LGBTQ gardeners and plantspeople. Throughout the month of June, watch for Facebook posts highlighting our favorite titles. Borrowers can also place holds on specific items from the catalog list, and view the covers using the shelf browse tool.

Pacific Northwest Botanical Artists 2021 Virtual Exhibit

Please explore this virtual exhibit from the Pacific Northwest Botanical Artists. This is the group’s 14th Annual Elisabeth C. Miller Library exhibit. Members of the Oregon Botanical Artists circle, their sister organization, are also participating in this year’s exhibit.

PNBA is a chapter of the American Society of Botanical Artists a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting public awareness of contemporary botanical art, honoring its traditions and furthering its development.

Please visit their display of paintings and drawings through May 8, 2021. Artwork will be for sale throughout the month, with a portion of the sales benefiting the Library.

February 2021 Virtual Exhibit: Topography: Drawings by Adrianne Smits

This virtual exhibit, Topography, is a series of drawings exploring the organic terrain created by remnants of large trees. Left behind after commercial logging operations, these stump landscapes are simultaneously ghosts of an old forest and substrate for a new one. The burned-out remains of old-growth redwood and Douglas fir, almost submerged beneath debris from second growth timber stands, record both damage and regeneration. The current form of these tree remnants results from a long history—centuries of intentional burns by Native Californians, timber extraction, decay, and re-sprouting. The young forests that hide these older remnants grow more densely than old growth forest, and thus are primed to burn in catastrophic fashion, as they did this summer. The lightning-sparked firestorm that burned 2 million acres in California this past summer, including some of the areas shown in the drawings, started the same day Smits began working on ‘Redwoods 9’ in Big Basin State Park. How long will this topography last in a warmer, drier future? Contact Adrianne directly if you wish to purchase art.

Book of Flowers: Collages by Lisa Snow Lady

This virtual exhibit, Book of Flowers, makes reference to The Book of Hours, a richly illuminated medieval psalter or devotional book. Spending time in her own garden during this past summer (in the midst of the pandemic), absorbing the sights, fragrances, and sounds became a time of reflection, solace, and hope. Lisa will donate 20% of the proceeds of sales from this show to support the Miller Library. Contact Lisa directly if you wish to purchase art.

December Arts and Crafts Exhibit and Sale

Three of our generous local artists have stepped in to offer a virtual version of the annual December Arts and Crafts Exhibit and Sale. Please support the wonderful work of Kathleen Ashby Atkins, Molly Hashimoto, and Linda Vorobik. They, in turn, will be offering a portion of their sales to support the Miller Library.

November Virtual Exhibit: Birds and Trees – Prints by Molly Hashimoto

We are thrilled to announce that acclaimed Seattle artist and teacher Molly Hashimoto will be giving back to the Miller Library once more with her 2020 virtual exhibit, opening this week. During the month of November, she will donate twenty percent of the proceeds of card and print sales to the Miller Library. Buyers can arrange no-contact pickup directly from the artist, or may request shipping.

Molly’s work draws on her experience at the North Cascades Institute, with iconic landscapes and animals interpreted in paintings, block prints and etchings. Many of the bird prints appear in her 2019 book, Birds of the West: An Artist’s Guide, a part of our Pacific Northwest Connections Collection. In addition to this virtual exhibit, Molly will participate in December’s virtual arts and crafts exhibit to benefit the Miller Library.

October Virtual Exhibit: Mushrooms: Textile Art by Kaylin Francis

Kaylin Francis on her work: “Working with fiber has led me on a journey of self-discovery and taking chances. I fell in love with fiber at the age of 12, and that love has continued to grow and evolve over time. It all started with cross-stitch, then moved to needlepoint, then on to making traditional quilts, which led me to making fiber art. This show came about because of my love of nature and color. Mushrooms are curious and amazing things. There are as many mushrooms as there are colors in the universe. My aim is to capture the color, the look, and the feel of mushrooms–at least my version of it.” In addition to this virtual exhibit, we’re planning an in-library show of her new work for October 2021.

September Virtual Exhibit: Visual Poems by Renée Simard

Seeing | Seeds | Stories: Seattle Japanese Garden 60th Anniversary Virtual Exhibit – August 1 -31, 2020

The Seattle Japanese Garden opened to the public in June of 1960. Today, the garden is one of the most highly regarded Japanese-style gardens in North America and is visited by over 125,000 visitors from around the world annually.
In a rapidly growing city, the garden has become a place where one can take a moment to appreciate nature, reconnect with loved ones, heal, dream and celebrate ordinary elements in life. Every day hundreds of people walk the garden paths, each on their own unique journey.
Seeing | Seeds | Stories features 5 artists who portray the garden with their stories in celebration of the 60th anniversary. They have each created their own narrative of the space, expressing through their individual mediums the unseen moments that make a visit to the garden special.
The exhibit is scheduled to be displayed both at the Seattle Japanese Garden and the Elisabeth C. Miller Library in 2021.

Invasive Species: an Object Lesson : A Virtual Exhibition by Markel Uriu – July 1-31, 2020

In lieu of a physical display, we invite the public to enjoy work by artist Markel Uriu on her website. Markel Uriu is an interdisciplinary artist based in Seattle. Her work explores impermanence, maintenance, and the unseen. Drawing from her Japanese and Irish-American heritage, she is particularly interested in liminal spaces, and explores these concepts through, research, ephemeral botanical narratives, installations, and two-dimensional work. Her subjects of time, cycles, and cultural interchange have culminated in a fascination with invasive species. Her current work explores the nature of invasive species, their environmental impacts, and their links to humanity, colonialism, and globalization.

Gathering from the Land: A Virtual Exhibition by Sharon Birzer June 2020

In lieu of a physical display, we invite the public to enjoy work by artist and illustrator Sharon Birzer in a new gallery established on her website. We first noticed the work of natural science illustrator and botanical artist Sharon Birzer through her participation in the Miller Library’s annual exhibit of work by members of the Pacific Northwest Botanical Artists. This month, Sharon was scheduled to show her work featuring lichens of southeast Alaska’s Tebenkof Wilderness Area in the library. Until that exhibit can be rescheduled, we invite you to enjoy her finely honed observations of nature by visiting her website. Her keen sense of color, line, and composition reveals the defining characteristics of her subjects (lichen, plants, insects, birds, sea creatures) in drawings and paintings that are startlingly beautiful.

2020 Plant Scholarship Presentations

UW Students from the School of Environmental and Forest Sciences and Landscape Architecture share their recent research and projects.

flo.ri.le.gi.um : Art Exhibit of Work by Jasna Guy – POSTPONED until Library reopens

Click for details.

Of Branches and Baskets: The Art of the Willow – February 3-28, 2020

More information. Reception February 6, 5-7 p.m.

Natural Science Illustrations by Tasha Gross – January 6-30, 2020

More information. Reception January 9, 5-7 p.m.

Molly Hashimoto Paintings & Prints: November 2-27, 2019

More information. Reception November 7, 5-7 p.m.

Linda Vorobik & Terri Roush: A Celebration of Botanical Art, Silk, and Glass On Exhibit October 4 – 30, 2019

More information. Reception October 3

On Exhibit September 4 – 28, Plants Pressed —Herbarium Specimens Reveal Powerful and Sometimes Disturbing History

More information about the exhibit.

Sandra Schulze: This View of Life, on exhibit from August 2 to 29th 2019

More information

Kathleen Atkins: In Our Nature on exhibit from July 2 – 30, 2019

Meet the artist at a reception July 5 from 5 to 7pm. More information.

Carletta Carrington Wilson’s field notes on exhibit through June 28, 2019

Student Posters on Exhibit from May 9 – 31, 2019

View current and prior years’ posters.

Pacific Northwest Botanical Artists Group Show

Garden Lovers’ Book Sale April 5 & 6

We are not accepting book donations until May. SALE DETAILS

On exhibit in March, 2019

Jennifer Vonholstein: Flora / Unincorporated Roy, WA 98580, through March 29

On exhibit in February, 2019

Kaylin Francis: Fabricated Foliage, through February 27

On exhibit in January, 2018

Botanizing Hope by Lou Cabeen – January 3rd through 30th

Holiday Arts and Crafts Sale on Exhibit in December 2018

Holiday Arts and Crafts Sale through Dec. 22nd

On exhibit in November 2018

Paintings and Prints: Molly Hashimoto through Dec. 5th

On exhibit in September 2018

Understanding: 4 Muses-4 Materials: Association of Professional Landscape Designers Washington chapter group show through Oct. 12th

On exhibit in August 2018

Learning the Flowers: Watercolors by Linda Andrews

Art Exhibit: Photography by Robby Wrench July 5 to July 30

UW Bothell gardener and Environmental Horticulture graduate student Robby Wrench shares his passion for gardening and pollinators with evocative and beautiful images taken in public parks, including at the Center for Urban Horticulture.
Meet the artist at a reception July 5th from 5 to 7pm in the Miller Library.

Art Exhibit: Local Wonders: Nature in Watercolor and Ink by Rosemary Washington

Saturday, June 2 – Friday, June 29, 2018

Finding beauty in the ordinary and familiar, Rosemary Washington works in small scale to create water colors that express her appreciation for the wonders of nature. Meet the artist at a reception June 7th from 5 to 7pm in the Library.

On exhibit in May 2018

In the display case: Sage Stowell’s scientific illustration

On the shelf-tops: Restoration Ecology and Environmental Horticulture student posters

Garden Lovers’ Book Sale April 6 & 7, 2018

We are taking a break on accepting book donations for this year’s sale. We will accept new donations after May 1st.

Art Exhibit: Carbon Storylines by Rachel Lodge Feb. 1 – 28

 

Rachel Lodge explores the carbon cycle through hand-drawn, science-based images and animation excerpts that explore the flow of carbon through natural systems as well as our own fossil fuel emissions.

Meet the artist at a reception on Thursday, February 1st from 5 to 7pm. More.

In Memory of Lyn Sauter

Lyn Sauter (1938-2017) was the first librarian for the Miller Library, gathering together and organizing books and periodicals prior to the library’s opening in 1985.  She continued to be an engaged and active supporter for the rest of her life.  Listen to her memories, recorded in 2011, of the challenges of creating a computer based catalog and the development of the early collection.

Holiday Craft and Gift Sale Dec. 1 – 23rd

Join us for a festive reception on Friday, December 1st from 5 to 7pm. More information.

Art Exhibit: Colors of the West by Molly Hashimoto Nov. 6 – Dec. 23

Local artist Molly Hashimoto returns to the Miller Library displaying original paintings and prints from her new book Colors of the West: an artist’s guide to nature’s palette. The chapters are organized by color with essays on watercolor technique, plants and animals, and notable places in nature, such as Petroglyph National Monument. Meet the artist at a free reception open to the public on Thursday November 9th from 5pm to 7pm in the Miller Library. Molly will read from her book and share a slide show starting at 5:30.

Miller Memorial Lecture Sep. 7 with Anna Pavord

The Pendleton and Elisabeth C. Miller Charitable Foundation presents the 23rd Annual Elisabeth C. Miller Memorial Lecture with British author Anna Pavord. The free lecture is Thursday September 7th at Meany Hall on UW main campus. For tickets contact the Miller Garden at info@millergarden.org or by calling (206)362-8612. More info.

Drawings from our Edible Gardens by Susan Lally-Chiu on Exhibit June 13 – August 31

Susan Lally-Chiu’s art work celebrates the diversity of locally grown vegetables and fruits through elegant large scale drawings, colorful watercolor sketches with pen, delicate linocuts and a series of sketchbooks.

Student Posters on exhibit through June 9

Current research and projects in environmental horticulture from students in the School of Environmental and Forest Sciences.

The Pacific Northwest Botanical Artists will have an exhibit and sale of prints and cards through May 6.

Garden Lovers’ Book Sale April 7 & 8

Our 12th annual book sale funds the purchase of new books and magazine subscriptions.

Friday Evening Party 5 -8pm: Enjoy wine and light refreshments while browsing a fantastic selection of used gardening books. Author Nita-Jo Rountree will be selling & signing her new book Growing roses in the Pacific Northwest Tickets cost $25 in advance or $30 at the door. Call 206-543-0415 to purchase tickets. Details.

The Saturday sale is free for everyone and runs 9-3pm.

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Art Exhibit: Through the Eye of a Weaver by Anna Klauder open through March 30

Weaver and iPhone photographer Anna Klauder shares images from her garden celebrating the light, texture, and color that inspire her. The artist invites you to a reception Thursday, February 2nd, 2017 from 5 to 7pm in the Miller Library.

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Art Exhibit: An Intimate View of Wild Lands opens January 4th, 2017

Photographer Richard Dunford will have images on exhibit featuring trees of Northwest public lands in the Miller Library from January 4th through the 30th. The artist invites you to a reception Thursday, January 5th 2017 from 5 to 7pm in the Library.

Holiday Craft Sale – through December 23rd.

Northwest Horticultural Society Spring Plant Sale

Friday, March 7, 9am – 3pm at the Center for Urban Horticulture
Sale to benefit the Elisabeth C. Miller Library.

SPECIAL LECTURE by Dan Hinkley 10:00AM Favorite Vignettes of Spring: Noteworthy Plant Combinations for the Pacific Northwest Tickets
($5.00) on sale at 8:30AM
(plant sale is free)

Larry Hubbell’s Birds Watching: photos & paintings

On exhibit from January 4, 2014 to February 15. Please join us for the artist’s opening reception on Friday, January 10 from 5 to 7pm.

Nature’s Peace

Molly Hashimoto will be exhibiting paintings & prints featuring Western landscapes and birds visiting the Union Bay Natural Area.

Original watercolors from the 2014 Nature’s Peace calendar will be for sale. The wall calendar, also available for sale, features Molly’s beautiful paintings with inspiring quotes from John Muir. Also on exhibit are a selection of print techniques, including relief, woodblock and solar plate. A portion of sales benefit the Miller Library.

 

Exhibit runs November 1 through December 21th.

Holiday Art, Craft, and Gift Sale December 6 – 21

The holiday sale features local artists and benefits the Miller Library. Join us at the opening sale & reception Friday 6 December from 5 to 8pm.

Artists include from top left, Linnea Donnen, Roberta McDaris Long, Katie Murphy, Barbara Clark, Molly Hashimoto and Joan Bazaz.

Read more about holiday giving to benefit the Miller Library and UW Botanic Garden programs.

Welcome back students October 2013

Drop in to the library for a quiet study space with wi-fi, meet the friendly staff who can help you find information or reserve the program room for your group project. Start your research here!

 

Handmade tiles from Artisan Tile NW group

An artisan tile is like a colorful hybrid of sculpture and painting. The Artisan Tile NWgroup will have handmade tiles on exhibit in the Library from September 4 to October 28th 2013.

All the tiles will be for sale with a portion of proceeds benefiting the Library.

19th Annual Miller Memorial Lecture

Join us for the FREE 19th annual Miller Memorial Lecture, featuring Tony Avent, renowned plantsman and horticulturist. Mr. Avent will speak on So Many Plants, So Little Time:  Little Known Perennial Favorites to Delight & Excite!

Thursday, September 19, 2003

7:00 pm (doors open at 6:15), followed by free reception with refreshments in Meany Hall on the UW campus. Email: info@millergarden.org for a free e-ticket!

7th Annual Garden Lovers’ Book Sale April 6 & 7

Thousands of used gardening, horticulture, botany and landscape design books will be for sale at the Miller Library the first weekend of April. All proceeds of the sale are used to purchase the best and newest in horticultural books and journals. Original artwork from the American Association of Botanical Artists – Pacific Northwest Chapter will also be on exhibit and for sale for the entire month of April.

Be among the first to browse the books at the Wine and Cheese Preview Party on Friday, April 6, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Tickets to the Preview Party are $20 each, and directly fund the book budget of the Miller Library. Enjoy a glass of wine, mingle with other gardening enthusiasts, and bid on specially selected books in the silent auction. To purchase tickets to the Preview Party, contact the Library at 206-543-0415.

On Saturday, April 7, the Book Sale will run from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Admittance is free. Shoppers will find a wide range of topics on all things horticultural, at great prices.

The sale will take place at the Center for Urban Horticulture, UWBG, 3501 NE 41st Street, Seattle.

Val Easton Book Launch Party – Wednesday, February 1

The Northwest Horticultural Society is holding a fund-raising book launch with former Miller Library manager and well-known garden writer Val Easton will launch her newest book on Wednesday, February 1, at 6:30 pm at CUH. Val has been perfecting her floral design talents over the last forty years, and now in Petal and Twig: Seasonal Bouquets with Blossoms, Branches, and Grasses from Your Garden, she shows us how to make beautiful arrangements with what grows in our own backyards. We are grateful that Val has chosen to continue her strong support of the Miller Library by having a book launch event as a fundraiser for the library.

Val will be available to sign books, which we will have for purchase. There will be a delectable dessert buffet to enjoy, and a drawing for some choice and beautiful plants, after which Val will do a presentation on her new book.

• Wednesday, February 1, 2012, 6:30 p.m.
• Dessert Buffet and Plant Drawing, Lecture & Book Signing
• Location: Center for Urban Horticulture
• Tickets: $18
• To purchase tickets: Email Karin Kravitz at nwhort@aol.com or phone 206.780.8172

Art Exhibit: Inspired by Nature by Scott Landry, January 3-30, 2012

 

Artist statement

Why do I paint?
Painting fills the need within myself to have a creative outlet of artistic expression, Which can act as cathartic deterrent to an otherwise stressed or mundane life. Color as it is effected by natural light is something that I relate to with interest. I find that painting lends itself to experimentation with color combinations when working with the landscape.

Why do I paint these subjects and themes?
I enjoy working “En Plein Air”, out in the open air/on location. I’m attracted to organic forms, shapes, patterns, and colors which occur in nature, using a broader view, or “landscape”, rather than a close up botanical study.

What methods do I use to create my art?
Photography as a source of capturing images for studio works. I’ve been exploring complimentary color under-painting to create a sense of vibrancy in my color schemes. When working with oil paint I’ll sometimes use a palette knife as well as brush to create varying surface textures and visual effects.

What other expertise informs my art?
Studied botanical identification and terminology. Experience with botanical illustration, drawing and in watercolor mediums.

View Scott’s online profile on the Plein Air Washington site

 

Hand-made Ceramics and Jewelry on Exhibit Dec. 2 – 23

Artist and graduate student Katie Murphy blends her two passions, plants and soil, in this exhibit at the Miller Library. Her latest collection is inspired by the colors of Autumn, shapes of nature and functional, beautiful ceramic forms.

Joining Katie is jewelry artist Morea Christenson of Tilt-a-girl designs. Morea has been designing jewelry since she was a little girl. Beginning with her mother’s jewelry box, her passion for eye popping color and whimsical designs blossomed into a quest for creating unique, one of a kind pieces with a twist. Inspired by elements and processes in nature, Morea works with a variety of mediums, including wood, metal, shell, clay, and precious gemstones. Her newest line is blending the old with the new, transforming vintage trinkets, broches, and jewels into one of kind accessories.

Join us for a free public reception for Katie and Morea on December 2 from 5pm to 7pm.

Trees in Art Group Exhibit Oct. 5 – Nov. 23. 2011

Free public reception Thursday, October 20, 5-7pm.

TREES IN ART features drawings, paintings, and engravings by a group of four Northwest artists who share a deep affinity for trees.  While our diverse styles and media represent a range of realistic and abstract renderings of trees, we share an interest in exploring and understanding their unifying symbolism.

Trees have long been associated with a sense of mystery, magic, strength, and wisdom. Over time and throughout history, tree imagery has been featured in myths, parables, dream theories, and art. For example, trees are often depicted as nature’s gladiators whose strength enables them to continue to struggle and survive despite great odds and dire circumstances. In many cultures, trees are revered as totems of unseen forces or potent symbols of such qualities as longevity, fertility, wisdom, and immortality.

A tree-art exhibition has the potential for being of interest to both art and nature lovers. Art enthusiasts will appreciate the range in perspectives and media among the works displayed, from finely detailed drawings and engravings of individual trees to mixed-media abstractions of tree spirits and the interconnections between people and nature. Viewers who value the role of trees in an ecologically-balanced world will resonate to the importance of honoring and protecting trees because of their documented effects on positive environmental outcomes.

Ultimately, TREES IN ART aims to stimulate contemplation of both the artistic merits of trees, as well as the universal power of tree symbolism to advance our understanding of the broad, sweeping interconnectedness between people and the environment.

Jacqui Beck
Donna Leavitt
Cheryl A. Richey
Elizabeth Reed Smith

Trees in Art Artists’ Collective

Union Bay Wild – Molly Hashimoto paintings on Exhibit Feb. 2 to March 24, 2011

Seattle resident Molly Hashimoto’s paintings and illustrations have been published by Pomegranate for many years. In 2012, Pomegranate will publish a calendar pairing Molly’s paintings with quotations from John Muir. She frequently visits Union Bay Natural Area in search of the wild in Seattle. She teaches for the North Cascades Institute, the Yellowstone Association Institute and the Sitka Center for Art & Ecology, believing that sharing her knowledge of painting in America’s wild places—in history and in present practice– helps to foster a community which works to preserve our treasured parks and wilderness areas. She writes about art, nature and ideas in her blog Molly Hashimoto: Artist’s Journal at www.mollyhashimoto.com.

6th Annual Garden Lovers’ Book Sale April 1-2, 2011

Thousands of used gardening, horticulture, botany and landscape design books will be for sale at the Miller Library the first weekend of April. All proceeds of the sale are used to purchase the best and newest in horticultural books and journals. Original artwork from the American Association of Botanical Artists – Pacific Northwest Chapter will also be on exhibit and for sale for the entire month of April.

Be among the first to browse the books at the Wine and Cheese Preview Partyon Friday, April 1, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Tickets to the Preview Party are $20 each, and directly fund the book budget of the Miller Library. Enjoy a glass of wine, mingle with other gardening enthusiasts, and bid on specially selected books in the silent auction. To purchase tickets to the Preview Party, contact the Library at 206-543-0415.

On Saturday, April 2, the Book Sale will run from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Admittance is free. Shoppers will find a wide range of topics on all things horticultural, at great prices.

The sale will take place at the Center for Urban Horticulture, UWBG, 3501 NE 41st Street, Seattle.

Spring Ephemerals Plant Sale

Spring Ephemerals . . . and More Spring Plant Sale Event to Benefit Elisabeth C. Miller Library

Proceeds from the entire spring plant sale event will be given to the library from sale sponsors Northwest Horticultural Society — your generosity is greatly appreciated.

Saturday, March 12, 2011, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Center for Urban Horticulture, NHS Hall

Complete sale information, including vendors and lecture times.

posted January 4, 2011

FROM THE GROUND UP – QuiltArt exhibit December 2nd through January 28th, 2011.

Your garden may be dormant and the skies a little gray at this time of year but members of the Contemporary QuiltArt Association (CQA) hope you will put color in your life by coming to see From the Ground Up. This exhibit features 30 innovative quilts relating to the world of botany and horticulture. Lake Cushman is featured in changing seasons; clematis, skunk cabbage, and leaf skeletons have never looked better; and the life cycle of a plant comes alive with coffee stirrers.

We hope you will join CQA members at the free public reception on Thursday, December 2, 5 – 7 p.m. or stop by the library during regular hours to enjoy this creative work.

Special thanks to the Quilting Loft in Ballard for help promoting this exhibit.

 posted November 15, 2010

Restricted Open Hours Resume

Because of budget shortfalls the Miller Library will resume restricted hours starting Monday, June 21, 2010.

Open hours will be: Monday: 4pm-8pm; Tuesday-Friday: 9am-5pm; Saturdays in June: 9am-3pm.

Saturday hours will be suspended for July and August and will resume September 11th.

Read the Library Managers’ explanation for restricted hours.

posted June 9, 2010

Extended Hours for Spring 2010

Due to successful fund-raising efforts in the last year by the Northwest Horticultural Society, the Library will be open all day (9am – 8pm) on Mondays starting March 22 and continuing through June 14. Just in time for the busy spring gardening season. Thank you NHS!

posted March 12, 2010

5th Annual Garden Lovers’ Book Sale April 2 & 3 Co-Sponsored by Northwest Horticultural Society

What: A used book sale fund raiser and all around FUN TIME!

Where: In the Merrill Hall Commons, Center for Urban Horticulture, 3501 NE 41st St., Seattle, WA, 98195. Map.

Why: to RAISE MONEY to buy new books by selling donated books that are not needed because the library already owns a copy.

Who: YOU! The public, NHS members, students, UW community members, Master Gardeners are all invited to first donate plant related books and then come shopping on the first weekend of April.

When: The wine and cheese PREVIEW PARTY is Friday, April 2 from 5 – 8pm; tickets cost $20 in advance.
The free book sale is Saturday, April 3 from 9am to 3pm

How: DONATE your gently used plant, garden, ecology and nature related books any time the library is open, up to March 31.
To buy Preview Party ticket call 206-543-0415; Visa & Master card accepted.

posted December 2, 2009

Changes in the Miller Library

We are living in interesting times and the Miller Library has not escaped unscathed. Beginning this September we will need to reduce our hours, staffing, and new book purchases. A drop of 46% in the University of Washington’s endowment income is the cause for these reductions. The library is fortunate to have these UW endowments, which in good economic times provide about half of the operating budget.

Despite this news, there is still much to celebrate. There will be no lay-offs. The Miller staff reached a consensus to cut our hours by 20%, recognizing that each of us—with over 50 years of collective experience at the Miller Library— has an important and unique contribution to the care of the collections and to the services we provide to the public.

To meet the realities of reduced staffing, we will need to cut our operating hours. Starting September 14th, we will be open on Mondays only from 4:00-8:00 pm.

The rest of the week will be unchanged. Saturday hours (from 9:00am-3:00pm) will still allow access for those who work during the week. And the very successful partnership with the Otis Douglas Hyde Herbarium and the King County Master Gardener’s Clinic will continue on Monday evenings, as will special hours before NHS lectures.

Our book buying will be impacted, too. But we will continue to look for innovative ways to obtain new books, and always welcome donations.

The Miller Library has been very well looked after by the Miller Charitable Foundation, the Northwest Horticultural Society, and the contributions from many devoted businesses and individuals.  The library is also increasingly in demand, with all our usage statistics up sharply over the last year. We are needed in these difficult times.
Together, we will pull through. And together we look forward to a bright future for the Elisabeth C. Miller Library.

by Brian Thompson, Miller Library Manager

posted September 1, 2009

Looking back: A History Exhibit of the Washington Park Arboretum

Celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Washington Park Arboretum by taking a stroll down memory lane. Learn about turn of the (20th) century movers and shakers at UW who created the living museum we love today.

The history exhibit is in the Miller Library and runs from November 2 to December 31 at the Center for Urban Horticulture

 

Edmond Meany, left, and Trevor Kincaid, University of Washington Campus Day, May 18, 1905, Photo by Asahel Curtis. Photo Courtesy  University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections, A curtis 06215

Book Launch: In My Nature by Connie Sidles

Join local author and avid birder Connie Sidles as she reads from her new book, In My Nature: A Birder’s Year at the Montlake Fill. Reception with light refreshments. FREE and open to the public.

Monday, November 30, 6:30pm to 8:00pm at the Miller Library.

Seattle Audubon Society Leader Profile: Connie Sidles 
Lessons from the Birds, interview of Connie Sidles on KUOW 5-2-2009

posted 10-16-2009

Art Exhibit: “To Life”
Shirley Sidell photographs

August 3 – September 30
FREE public reception:
September 14 from 4:30 – 7:30 pm

Sidell’s exhibit is comprised of several series. Two groups, including images from the Elisabeth Carey Miller Botanical Garden and fern images from the artist’s garden are printed on European etching paper using the Giclee method.

A lifelong gardener, the artist was formally trained in painting, stained glass, sculpture and photography at various colleges in California. She earned her Master of Fine Arts, Photography, from California College of Arts and Crafts, in Oakland.

In addition to the prints, many of the images are available on 5×7 note cards, with matching envelopes. Each print is an original and can be used as is or framed. A percentage of all proceeds benefit the Miller Library. Reception postcard.

Elisabeth Carey Miller Memorial Lecture

Thu Sep 17 7:30pm – 9pm
Meany Hall, University of Washington, Seattle, 98195

Roy Lancaster, world renowned plantsman and author, speaking on “Mad About Plants–A Plantsman’s Garden.”

Roy Lancaster Plant List

6:30pm Lobby opens
7:00pm House (seating area) opens
Lecture at 7:30 pm followed by refreshments

Meany Hall is near the intersection of 15th Avenue NE and NE 40th Street.

THE LECTURE AND RECEPTION ARE FREE, COURTESY OF THE PENDLETON AND ELISABETH CAREY MILLER CHARITABLE FOUNDATION Sponsored with The Elisabeth Carey Miller Botanical Garden, The Elisabeth C. Miller Library and The Northwest Horticultural Society

Unique Botanical Portraits

David Fishman’s love of horticulture and photography combines with his skills in photo restoration and graphics to create stunning photographs. His attention to detail makes his plant portraits “so realistic they jump off the page!”  An avid gardener for 15 years, his photographs also reflect his love for the beautiful and unusual.

David’s art will be on display at the Miller Library. The exhibit runs June 1 through July 30, 2009. Artist reception Thursday, June 4th at 5 to 7pm. Public Welcome.Postcard with more images.

GROW YOUR VEGETABLES

Let’s look closely at vegetables and learn about how they grow.  We’re expanding our family offerings this month with two programs: our regular Saturday program (focusing on planning and planting vegetable gardens) plus a Monday night story program, starring some of our favorite animal gardeners.

OLIVER’S VEGETABLES by Vivian French (SB 455 .F74 1995)
SCARLETTE BEANE by Karen Wallace (SB 455 .W24 2000)
TOPS AND BOTTOMS by Janet Stevens (SB 455 .S84 1995)
CECIL’S GARDEN by Holly Keller (SB 455 .K45 2002)
MOUSE AND MOLE IN THE YEAR-ROUND GARDEN by Doug Cushman (SB 455 .C98 1994)

Saturday, April 18
10-10:45 AM

Monday, April 27
7-7:30 PM

SATURDAY STORIES: BLOSSOM TIME

PAJAMA STORIES: MAY FLOWERS

Flowers are our theme this month for both storytimes. Enjoy the beauty of flowers as well as the science behind it with these fun books:

A GARDENER’S ALPHABET by Mary Azarian (SB 455 .A92 2000)
WANDA’S ROSES by Pat Brisson (SB 455 .B75 1994)
THE REASON FOR A FLOWER by Ruth Heller (QH 49 .H45 1983)
JACK’S GARDEN by Henry Cole (SB 455 .C65 1995)
THE GARDENER by Sarah Stewart and David Small (SB 455 .S85 1997)

 

Saturday, May 16
10-10:45 AM

Monday, May 18
7-7:30 PM

Book Launch Party for Dan Hinkley

The Northwest Horticultural Society is hosting a silent auction, lecture and book signing to celebrate the new release of The Explorer’s Garden: Shrubs and Vines from the Four Corners of the World by internationally renowned plantsman, Dan Hinkley. The event is a fund raiser for the Miller Library

Date: May 27, 2009
Time: 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Tickets: $35 | Benefactor $200
For reservations email or call Karin Kravitz at (206)780-8172.
Complete Information

 

UWBG Student Research Review 2009

Wonder what goes on in the labs of Merrill Hall or in the study plots sprinkled throughout Union Bay Natural Area? Find out at the annual UWBG graduate student research review May 8 – 29 in the Library. Want to meet the researchers? Then join us for the public reception May 8 from 5 -7pm. Light refreshments will be served.

On exhibit at the Library:
Pacific Northwest Botanical Artists

Graphite, water colors, pen and ink are a few of the mediums represented at this year’s exhibit of botanical illustration by members of the Pacific Northwest chapter of the American Society of Botanical Artists. The show runs through May 2 with a portion of sales benefiting the library.
posted 4-1-200

2009 Garden Lovers’ Book Sale

A very big THANK YOU to everyone who helped with the book sale and preview party, all the book donors and to everyone who attended. The sale raised thousands of dollars for purchasing new books and raised awareness about the Library in the community. Save the date for next year: April 2nd and 3rd!
posted 4-6-2009

4th Annual Garden Lovers’ Book Sale

Find a good home for your gently used gardening books: donate them to the Miller Library for our biggest fund raising event of the year. Save the date: April 3 for the preview party and April 4, 2009 for the free public sale.
posted 12-10-2008

Drought Tolerance –
Mixed Media Botanicals
by Lisa Snow Lady

Seattle artist, Lisa Snow Lady, attained a BA with majors in Fine Art and Art History and subsequently a BFA in painting from the University of Washington. Her love of botanical form and recent studies in Horticulture and Landscape Design from Edmonds Community College are reflected in her mixed media prints and paintings.

Lisa’s art will be on display at the Miller Library. The exhibit runs February 2 through March 31, 2009. Artist reception Wednesday, March 11 at 5 to 7pm. Public Welcome. posted 1-5-2008

“Botanical Illustration: Art Meets Science” Exhibit at Suzzallo Library

January 6 through February 27, 2009.
posted 1-5-2008

SAVE THE DATE! Preview Party on April 3, Public Sale on April 4

The book sale is the biggest fund raising event of the year, but the success depends on YOU. Here’s how you can help:

1. Donate your used books on plants, gardening, horticulture, botany, landscape design, field guides, ecology, flowers, bugs, soils, anything related to plants! (no magazines please)
2. Buy a ticket for the Preview Party to shop in a festive atmosphere with wine and cheese
3. Bring a box and load it up with bargains at the free public sale on Saturday.

MARSH MADNESS Get up close and personal with the unique animals and plants that make wetlands their home in these delightful books. A DAY IN THE SALT MARSH by Kevin Kurtz (QH 541.5 .M3 K87 2007) SQUISHY, MISTY, DAMP AND MUDDY by Molly Cone (QH 541.5 .M3 C66 1996) After the stories, join us in the program room for a hands-on activity.

Saturday, March 21, 2009, 10-10:45 AM

Through an Artist’s Eye

Botanicals by Louise Smith
Art exhibit runs January 5 through 30, 2009.
Artist reception Friday, January 16 at 5:30pm to 7. Public Welcome

Award winning artist Louise Smith is a master of botanical illustration. With a careful eye for honest detail Louise creates stunning, life like illustrations of flowers, herbs, fruits, mushrooms and insects. posted 12-10-2008

Images of the Washington Park Arboretum

Photographer Stephanie Jeter’s images on exhibit from November 7 to January 3.

Come view the work of certified arborist and gardener Stephanie Jeter. For years, Jeter has used photography to capture the forms and foliage of the Arboretum’s plants. The images reveal Jeter’s deep affection for the Arboretum, on public display for the first time.

Join us for the artist’s reception on Friday, November 7, 2008 from 5:30pm to 7. Postcard.
posted 10-31-2008

Welcome back UW Students!

Start your research on the Student Tools page and please don’t hesitate to ask library staff for help.

The Library Program Room, just opposite of the reference desk, is for YOU. Use the room for group projects or practicing a presentation. The room is free, but reservations are strongly encouraged.
posted 9-24-2008

ELISABETH CAREY MILLER MEMORIAL LECTURE

“Landscape in a Changing Environment” by KATHRYN GUSTAFSON

Landscape architect Kathryn Gustafson will discuss various elements that influence her world-renowned landscape designs. Some of her well-known completed projects as well as current projects by her two firms—Gustafson Porter in London and Gustafson Guthrie Nichol in Seattle will be featured.

Thursday, October 23rd, 2008
Lecture at 7:30 pm followed by refreshments

Meany Hall for the Performing Arts at the University of Washington
Near the intersection of 15th Avenue NE and NE 40th Street

THE LECTURE AND RECEPTION ARE FREE, COURTESY OF
THE PENDLETON AND ELISABETH CAREY MILLER CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
Sponsored with
The Elisabeth Carey Miller Botanical Garden
The Elisabeth C. Miller Library and The Northwest Horticultural Society
posted 9-1-2008

Saturdays at the Library

It’s back to school time and the Miller Library is now open on Saturdays from 9am to 3pm. Whether you need help with a school science project or designing a new garden bed, the library staff can help you find answers.

Plant Detectives Story Time

Being a plant detective takes curiosity and careful observation. Take a look at the books we’ll read on Saturday, September 20:
10-10:45 AM
posted 9-8-2008

CUH Images: from Soest Garden to Shoveler’s Pond

For years, volunteer Larry Howard has used his camera to capture the spectacular and the subtle at CUH. Come find vistas and views you’ve never seen during his photo exhibit at the Miller Library.

The exhibit runs from July 9 through September 12. 
posted 7-9-2008

Growing vegetables? We can help.

The New York Times reports a big increase in first time vegetable gardeners this spring because of rising prices. Read answers from the Knowledgebase on vegetable gardening or stop by the library to borrow a few of these recommended books about vegetable gardening, fruit, organic gardening or permaculture.
posted 6-11-2008

Brunch at Ciscoe’s

We are pleased to extend an invitation from the Northwest Horticultural Society and Ciscoe Morris for brunch. Proceeds benefit the NHS endowment fund for the library.
posted 6-13-2008

Introducing: Pajama Stories

Put the kids in their pajamas and join us for a few bed-time stories on Monday evenings at 7:00pm. Our regular Saturday morning stories move to Monday evenings for the summer.

On July 14th Librarian Laura Blumhagen will share the tale of the sleepy seed and the wonders of growing plants. On August 11th we’ll hear about the creatures who swim in the hot summer and the cold winter.

Read the complete Pajama Stories descriptions.

posted 6-3-2008

Work in Progress: Student Research Exhibit

Come learn about the latest research taking place at the UW Botanic Gardens and beyond by ecology graduate students. Opening reception 5 to 7pm on May 9th. Show runs until July 3.
posted 5-7-08

Library Closed

The library will be closed Tuesday, June 10th for the annual UWBG Staff Day Out. posted 6-2-2008

Finding Gardening Answers

The Miller Library makes it easy to get answers to all sorts of gardening questions:

1. Call or email the Plant Answer Line
2. Search the Gardening Answers Knowledgebase to see questions we’ve answered
3. Search the Northwest Horticulture Custom Search, a librarian-selected collection of sites most relevant to Northwest gardeners and plant enthusiasts

posted 4-8-2008

Book Sale Success

Thank you to everyone who helped make our third annual benefit preview party and book sale a smashing success.
posted 4-8-2008

May Flowers

From Amaryllis to Zinnia, we’ll be talking about an array of flowers today, with a special focus on sunflowers.  Come find out how to grow a sunflower house!

THE FLOWER ALPHABET BOOK by Jerry Pallotta and Leslie Evans (SB 455 .P25 1998)
SUNFLOWER HOUSE by Eve Bunting and Kathryn Hewitt (SB 455 .B86 1996) posted 6-6-2008

Announcing the new NHS Curriculum Collection

The Northwest Horticultural Society awarded the Library a $2,500 grant in autumn 2007 to plan and purchase a curriculum collection.  The Miller Library currently has a Children’s Collection of some 400 lending books for kids ranging from pre-school to high school.  The goal was to expand the collection with more books and other materials to help local educators develop plant-focused curriculum.

Now complete, the NHS Curriculum Materials Grant adds 72 items to our collection, including curriculum guides, storybooks, field trip planners, garden design manuals for parents, field guides, and more.  This grant doubles the size of our Parent/Teacher Resource collection, and more than doubles its usefulness.

The additions also support the educational programs of the UWBG, including the Seedlings Preschool and Saplings School programs at the Washington Park Arboretum, which reach 5,000 children a year.

While focusing on a classroom setting, these books would also provide excellent methods for parents or other family members in teaching about plants and nature, or simply enjoying the garden with their children. Very exciting!

A sampling of the new titles:

• Almeras, Bethe Gilbert. ACCESS NATURE: 45 FUN, HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES FOR EVERYONE! Washington, DC: National Wildlife Federation, 2005.
  One of the most welcome trends in education is the upswing in inclusive teaching.  Each lesson in this book includes specific adaptations to use when students have hearing, cognitive, motor, or visual disabilities.  Activities include a habitat hunt, erosion observations, a bird behavior hike, and much more.
• Dennee, JoAnne. IN THE THREE SISTERS GARDEN: NATIVE AMERICAN STORIES AND SEASONAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE CURIOUS CHILD.  Dubuque, IA: Kendall/Hunt, 1996.
  Over 300 pages of stories, songs, recipes, and lessons on composting, gardening, and math and science, too.  The book is designed for parents and teachers of children in kindergarten through sixth grade.
• Kirkland, Jane. NO STUDENT LEFT INDOORS: CREATING A FIELD GUIDE TO YOUR SCHOOLYARD. Lionville, PA: Stillwater, 2007.
  Practical schoolyard nature observation lesson plans combine with useful bonus resources, such as “Appendix C: If You Find an Injured Animal” and “Appendix F: Native Plants in Elementary School Learning.”  Designed for grades K-8.
• The complete list (pdf) posted 12-15-2007

Botanical Art on Display

The American Society of Botanical Artists Pacific Northwest Chapter will be exhibiting original works of art until May 4. Artist statements.
posted 4-8-2008

Book Launch Party

Join us as we celebrate Professor Linda Chalker-Scott’s new book: The Informed Gardener. Book sale proceeds benefit the Library.
Thursday, 24 April at 7pm in NHS Hall at the Center for Urban Horticulture (3501 NE 41st St., Seattle)
posted 3-20-2008

 

Garden Lovers’ Book Sale – and Botanical Art Exhibit & Sale

Wine and Cheese Preview Party and Book Sale:
Friday, April 4th from 5:00 – 8:00 PM; Tickets: $15

Book Sale: Saturday, April 5th from 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM; Free Admission

Thousands of used gardening, horticulture, botany and landscape design books will be for sale at the 2008 Garden Lovers’ Book Sale on April 4th and 5th at the Elisabeth C. Miller Library, the premiere horticultural library in the Pacific Northwest and library for the University of Washington Botanic Gardens. All proceeds of the sale are used to purchase the best and newest in horticultural books and journals.

As an added bonus, this year’s sale will coincide with an exhibit and sale of new works by members of the Pacific Northwest Chapter of the American Society of Botanical Artists. The library will double as gallery to display the recent work of several excellent local artists working in various media.

Artist statements and biographies.

Be among the first to hunt for that special gardening book at the Wine and Cheese Preview Party and Sale on Friday, April 4th, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Enjoy a glass of wine, mingle with other gardening enthusiasts, and bid on specially selected books in the silent auction. Tickets to the Preview Party are limited and on sale now at the library for $15 each.

On Saturday, April 5th, the Book Sale is from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Admittance is free. You’ll find a wide range of topics on all things horticultural, at great prices. Cash, checks, Visa and MasterCard will all be accepted.

The Miller Library is located at the Center for Urban Horticulture, 3501 NE 41st Street, Seattle. For book sale information and to purchase tickets to the Friday evening Preview Party, visit the Elisabeth C. Miller Library or phone: 206-543-0415.
posted 2-15-2008

 

New Computers

Thanks to a grant from the College of Forest Resources Dean’s Office on the recommendation from the CFR Resources Committee the Library now has two new computers for public and student use for a total of four public access computers.
posted 3-5-2008

Wanted: gently used gardening books

This major fund raising event builds our book buying budget, turning your donation into new books for the whole community.
Clean off your shelves to make room for new purchases! We’ll take your gardening, plants, and design-related books. And sorry, we can’t accept any more magazines!
posted 1-15-2008

Curriculum Collection Complete

A very big thank you to the Northwest Horticultural Society for awarding the Library a $2,500 grant to plan and purchase a curriculum collection. The new books are currently on display in the library and available for check-out.
posted 12-18-2007

Winter 2008 Story Times

Sharing the Garden Who owns a garden?  Is a garden just for people, or does a garden belong to the animals too? These two books show how delightful it can be when gardeners share their patch of earth with wildlife. WHOSE GARDEN IS IT? by Mary Ann Hoberman (SB 457 .H63 2004) GROWING WILD by Constance Perenyi (QH48 .P47 1991)	January 5, 2008
Mad about Mushrooms Learn about glowing mushrooms, toadstools, edible mushrooms and much more with these fun books: PLANTS THAT NEVER EVER BLOOM by Ruth Heller (QH 48 .H453 1984) KATYA’S BOOK OF MUSHROOMS by Katya Arnold and Sam Swope(SB 353 .A76 1997)	February 9
Playing with Trees Everyone knows how to hug a tree, but how do you play with one?  In Button, Bucket, Sky, elderly Annie Livemore teaches neighborhood children a wonderful game that takes years from start to finish: growing an oak grove from acorns.  In The Way of the Willow Branch, we’ll follow a broken branch through wildlife habitat downstream to the sea, onto the beach, and finally into a child’s craft project. BUTTON, BUCKET, SKY by Jacqueline Briggs Martin (SB 457 .M27 1998) THE WAY OF THE WILLOW BRANCH by Emery & Durga Bernhard (SB 457 .B47 1996)	March 8

 

Funding News

The Miller Charitable Foundation has awarded us a $16,000 grant to organize our archives to comply with the UW Archives standard. The Curator of Horticultural Literature, Brian Thompson, will lead the development of collection policies, storage solutions, finding aids and access technology.

The Northwest Horticultural Society awarded us a $2,500 grant to plan and purchase a curriculum collection.

The Miller Library currently has a Children’s Collection of some 400 lending books for kids ranging from pre-school to high school. Our goal is to expand the collection with more books and other materials to help local educators develop plant-focused curriculum.

The new curriculum materials will include step-by-step guides to student projects and activities, worksheets and sample study plans, selected readings for students, and tools for teacher’s to evaluate learning. Other media will also be considered, including models, posters, movies, music, and games.
posted 12/18/2007

Winter Exhibit – “Cut, Dried and Dyed”

Visit the Miller Library during January and February to see the artwork of Jenny Craig, local botanical artist and librarian. Using natural dyes and dehydrated plant matter, she creates surprising and delightful prints and displays which afford a new way of seeing familiar fruits and vegetables. In Jenny’s words, “It’s flat fruit. It’s neat. I like it because it’s like looking through a window into the internal structure of the object.”

Jenny holds a Masters in Library and Information Science from the University of Washington, and a Master of Fine Arts in Book Arts and Printmaking from Philadelphia’s University of the Arts.
posted 12/03/2007

Book Signing to Benefit the Miller Library Dec. 17

Monday, December 17th, 4:00pm- 8:00pm
In the Miller Library Program Room

Local tree expert, Arthur Lee Jacobson will be signing his books: Trees of Seattle and Selected Writings of Esiquio Narro, which he edited. The books will be for sale. Net proceeds of the sales of the Narro book will be donated to the Miller Library.

Esiquio Narro, a Mexican-American who lived half his life in Seattle, loved to ponder, talk, write, and garden. The book represents the very best of his vast collection of writings that touch on subjects as far ranging as American culture, love and the human spirit, growing up in Mexico, and seasons in the garden. Books may also be purchased from the publisher’s website.
posted 12/03/2007

“Four Seasons at the Bloedel Reserve” Photo Exhibit in the Miller Library

The Bloedel Reserve, a Pacific Northwest treasure, as captured by the photography of Richard A. Brown will be on display October 18 – December 15. More info (pdf)
posted 10/17/2007

Special Open Hours – Fall 2007

Wednesday, November 14, 5-7pm, prior to NHS meeting

Sunday, November 18, noon to 1pm, prior to NPA meeting

13th Annual Miller Memorial Lecture

Aberglasney House garden director Graham Rankin will lecture on “The Most Beautiful Gardens in Wales” on November 1 at 7:30 in Meany Hall, UW. Request your free tickets by calling 206-362-8612 or by email.

The lecture is co-sponsored by the Miller Library, Miller Garden and the Northwest Horticultural Society. Invitation and complete information (pdf).

See a Display Celebrating the Linnaean Tercentenary

The key books recording his works and life will be on display at the library, along with specimens of plants he named from the Otis Douglas Hyde Herbarium, posters of Swedish postal stamps created in his honor, and the Linnean Medal, won by UWBG director David Mabberley in 2006.  A concurrent display of books and other materials from the Linnean Society will be on display at the Seattle Public Library’s Central Branch.  Both displays will be available for viewing through mid-October.
Annotated Booklist

Three Programs on Linnaeus

Dr. Magnus Lidén, Director of Uppsala Botanic Garden and the Linnaeus Garden, will be speaking on the life and contributions of Carl Linnaeus, considered to be one of the most important figures in the history of botany.

---

Popular science writer and researcher Dr. Peter Ward is Professor of Paleontology, Biology and Astrobiology in the Earth & Space Sciences Department at the University of Washington, and the author of Under the Green Sky: Global Warming, the Mass Extinctions of the Past and What They Can Tell Us About our Future (HarperCollins, 2007). His program will present surprising conclusions about species survival under current climate change patterns and future warming predictions.  Book sales and signing following lecture.  Presented in cooperation with The Elliott Bay Book Company.

Apple Stories Story Time

WHEN: Saturday, October 6th at 10 am
WHO: Kids ages 2 to 8 & their parents
COST: Free!

Can you imagine having your own apple tree?  Arnold does, and he visits it throughout the year to watch it change with the seasons.  We’ll learn how apples grow and discuss different ways to eat them. After the stories, join us in the program room for a hands-on activity presented by our guests, the King County Master Gardeners.

Focus Your Search

Looking for information on the best strawberries for the Northwest or what native plants grow in bogs? Try our new Northwest Horticulture Custom Search. This Google powered search only searches web sites selected by our staff that offer high quality, reliable information with a Northwest focus. posted 7/10/2007

New Section for Teachers & Parents

Have you browsed our Children’s Section recently?  If so, you may have seen the newly formed PARENT/TEACHER RESOURCE COLLECTION. Parent/Teacher materials have a green dot below the yellow label that designates all Children’s Section books. These may be curriculum materials on ecology, parents’ guides to gardening with kids, or any other materials designed for adults who work with children and plants.  Most of these books were already part of our collection, but we hope you will find and use them more easily now that they are no longer intermingled with the children’s books.

This change will also give us space to expand the Parent/Teacher Resource Collection over the next few years.  We would love to hear your feedback! posted May 19, 2007

Custom Search Engine for Invasive Plant Information

Wouldn’t it be great to search the top invasive plants databases and nothing else with one search engine? Now you can. The Miller Library has created a Google Custom Search Engine that only searches librarian selected, major web sites and databases from the US government and conservation organizations. This “multi-site” search is a collection of 14 leading sites dedicated to understanding, managing and eradicating invasive plants. posted 5/31/2007

New books added to the Collection

Many new titles were added to the collection in April, the majority the result of a very large gift of books from George Waters, long time editor of Pacific Horticulture Magazine. A few recently published books include:

• Dirt: the Erosion of Civilization by David Montgomery
• Encyclopedia of Garden Ferns by Sue Olsen
• Gardening with Heirloom Seeds by Lynn Coulter

posted 5/15/2007

Weeds and Seeds Story Time

WHEN: Saturday, June 16th at 10 am
WHO: Kids ages 2 to 7 & their parents
COST: Free!

Seeds are the main way many plants make new plants.  Let’s look closely at seeds and learn more about them.  We’ll also visit the topic of what makes a weed a weed, as well as consider the advice of Miss Rumphius:  “do one thing to make the world more beautiful.” posted 5/14/2007

Most Popular Book Lists in April

{all book lists are pdf }

• Children and Nature
• South African Plants
• Ground-cover Plants
• Garden Journals and Recordkeeping
• Drought Tolerant Gardens

New additions to the Book List Collection

• Sustainable Gardening
• Stormwater Solutions
• Permaculture

posted 5/7/2007

The Real Dirt on Soil Story Time

WHEN: Saturday, May 12th at 10 am
WHO: Kids ages 2 to 7 & their parents
COST: Free!

Is soil just dirt?  What can soil do?  Who lives there? Let’s find out more about soil so we’re ready to get our hands dirty this summer! After the stories, join us in the program room for a hands-on activity presented by our guests, the King County Master Gardeners. posted 4/7/2007

Resource Spot-Light

Historic botanical literature is now much more accessible thanks to the effort of the Missouri Botanical Garden Library. Botanicus.org is a growing digital collection of 182 titles from as far back as 1480 that is completely searchable. posted 4/14/2007

Garden Lovers’ Book Sale
Huge Success

Thanks to everyone who came to the second annual Garden Lovers’ Book Sale. Over $10,000 was raised over the two-day event, which will support the Miller Library’s book budget. The staff of the Miller Library enjoyed visiting with old friends and seeing so many new faces this year! We hope you’ll all visit the Miller Library often. And we’ve already scheduled next year’s sale! Mark you calendars for April 4th and 5th, 2008. posted 4/9/2007

Birds! Story Time

WHEN: Saturday, April 7th at 10 am
WHO: Kids ages 2 to 7 & their parents
COST: Free!

Join us for two very different stories of birds (one very small, the other quite large) that help us see the beauty of birds and their connections with our gardens. After the stories the Master Gardeners will lead an activity. posted 3/15/2007

Garden Lovers’ Book Sale Set for April

Thousands of used gardening, horticulture, botany and landscape design books will be for sale at the 2007 Garden Lovers’ Book Sale on April 6th and 7th at the University of Washington Botanic Gardens’ Center for Urban Horticulture. The sale is a major fundraiser for the Elisabeth C. Miller Library, the premiere horticultural library in the Pacific Northwest. All proceeds of the sale are used to purchase the best and newest in horticultural books and journals.

Be among the first to hunt for that special gardening book at the Wine and Cheese Preview Party on Friday, April 6, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Tickets to the Preview Party are $15 each, and benefit the book budget of the Miller Library. Enjoy a glass of wine, mingle with other gardening enthusiasts, and bid on specially selected books in the silent auction. You’ll be able to browse and buy to your heart’s content, and support the Miller Library in the process! Tickets to the Preview Party will be available for purchase at the library beginning March 1st.

On Saturday, April 7, the Book Sale will run from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Admittance is free. Stock your shelves with gently used gardening books and find inspiration for your own garden. You’ll find a wide range of topics on all things horticultural, at great prices. Cash, checks, Visa and MasterCard will all be accepted.

The sale will take place in the Commons of Merrill Hall, Center for Urban Horticulture, UWBG, 3501 NE 41st Street, Seattle. For book sale information and to purchase tickets to the Friday evening Preview Party, contact the Elisabeth C. Miller Library at 206-543-0415.

We’re looking for a few good books!
The Miller Library is accepting book donations right up until the book sale. Clean off your shelves to make room for new purchases! Gardening, plants, and design-related books only, please. And sorry, but we can’t accept any more magazines! posted 1/15/2007

Book Launch and Fundraiser for the Library Big Success.

The staff of the Miller Library would like to extend our most sincere thanks to everyone who helped make the March 6th NHS Fundraising Event such a success! It was a wonderful party and lecture, the proceeds of which will be a great contribution to the NHS Endowment Fund for the library.

We’d especially like to thank Ann LeVasseur and Barbara Asmervig, the brains behind the evening’s event; Lynn and Ralph Davis for once again donating such marvelous wines for the festivities; Karin Kravitz for making sure logistics ran smoothly; and of course, Val Easton for donating her time and considerable talent. Thanks to all who attended; your continuous support of the Miller Library is greatly appreciated! posted 3/8/2007

Marsh Madness Story Time

WHEN: Saturday, March 10th at 10 am
WHO: Kids ages 2 to 7 & their parents
COST: Free!

Pull on your rubber boots for stories about squishy, muddy, damp and mucky wetlands and the creatures who live there. After the stories the Master Gardeners will lead a fun activity.

Hidden Gems – Undiscovered Pacific Northwest Plant Books

On February 28th, Brian Thompson, Curator of Horticultural Literature at the Elisabeth C. Miller Library, shares his personal favorites from the many books by lesser know PNW authors, both present and past, in the UW Botanic Gardens Miller Library collection.

From field guides to garden guides, these titles will inspire you as a reader and a plant lover. Selections range from the thoughtful “Walking in the Beauty of the World” by Bothell botanist Joseph Arnett, to the offbeat charm of Vancouver Island resident Des Kennedy in “Crazy About Gardening”. Linda Beutler will make you enthusiastic about clematis and everything else she grows in her Portland garden, while John Grant’s “Naturalistic Character” approach to garden design still resonates as it did in 1954. Native son George Schenk now gardens with friends around the Pacific Rim, by contrast Ian Taylor left England to find fun in Seattle as “The Naked Gardener” These and much more will be on the table.
posted 1/23/2007

Plant Answer Line at the NW Flower & Garden Show

Stop by the UW Botanic Gardens booth (#2350) at the flower showand ask library staff a plant or gardening question. We’ll use our micro-library on wheels to find the answer. Plant Answer Line will be open 9am to 1pm Wednesday-Sunday and 9am to 5pm on Thursday.
posted 2/6/2007

Cooking from the Garden Storytime

WHEN: Saturday, February 10th at 10 a.m.
WHO: Kids ages 2 to 7 and their parents
COST: Free!

Nothing beats the aroma of simmering vegetable soup on a chilly February day—except perhaps a delicious apple pie in the oven for dessert.  Join us for stories, where we’ll meet characters who grew their own fruits and vegetables for the kitchen. Stories will be followed by an activity with the Master Gardeners. P osted 1/8/2007

Juuki Iida Scroll at Miller Library

On August 8, 2006, at a dedication ceremony in Merrill Hall at the UW Botanic Gardens, Richard and Fumi Yamasaki of Seattle donated to the Miller Library a scroll brushed by landscaper Juuki Iida while he was in Seattle installing the rock work in Washington Park’s Japanese Garden during the spring of 1960. The scroll is housed in the library’s Special Collections Room, and is available for viewing by appointment. Read more
posted 1/23/2007

Plants through the Year Storytime

WHEN: Saturday, January 6th at 10 a.m.
WHO: Kids ages 2 to 7 and their parents
COST: Free!

It’s a new year! How does Groundhog grow a garden? With a little help from his friends. Join us for stories of how plants change through the year followed by an activity with the Master Gardeners.
posted 12/19/2006

Fresh New Look for the Web

The library staff has been working in recent weeks to bring the site up to modern web standards of accessibility and ease of use. The redesign also makes our best content, such as the catalog of booksand Gardening Answers knowledgebase, searchable right from the home page. While the site architecture is essentially the same, some pages have moved. Automatic redirects should send browsers to the right page, but if that fails our site map and friendly “404 Not Found” page should help users find what they’re looking for.

For those interested in the technical details:

• Table based layout replaced with CSS directed layout
• Style and design directed by CSS
• Navigation graphics driven by javascript replaced by plain text
• Fewer graphics mean decreased loading time for interior pages
• Server side includes navigation makes updates easier and faster
• Breadcrumbs and color assist user orientation
• XHTML “transitional” valid, moving to “strict” in the near future
• Elastic and fluid design should accommodate various screen resolutions and text sizes 
  posted 12/04/2006

The Story of the Apple on Sale at Library

Co-authored by UWBG Director David Mabberley and Barrie Juniper, University of Oxford. Published by Timber Press.

“The Story of the Apple reveals the solution to a long-standing puzzle. Where did the apple come from, and why is the familiar large, sweet cultivated apple so different from all other wild apple species with their bitter, cherry-sized fruits?” From earthquakes in Tian Shan, to the eating habits of bears and horses, to the multiple virtues of cider, The Story of the Apple describes the fascinating history of one of America’s favorite fruits.

Copies of the book are available for $32 (includes sales tax) at the Miller Library. $16 of every book sold directly benefits the library’s book budget. Cash and checks only. For more information, please call the Miller Library at 206-543-0415.
posted 8/22/2006

Invasive Species in the Pacific Northwest Book Launch

Monday, November 20 
5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
University of Washington Botanic Gardens
Center for Urban Horticulture

The University of Washington Press and the University of Washington Botanic Gardens cordially invite you to celebrate the publication of Invasive Species in the Pacific Northwest, edited by UW professors Dee Boersma, Sarah Reichard, and Amy Van Buren, Ph.D. candidate in biology.

The U.S. government defines invasive species as “an alien species whose introduction does or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health.” Invasive Species in the Pacific Northwest describes these species, how they got here, and the effects of their invasions on the region’s environment. Each of 108 invasive species of fish, plants, invertebrates, mammals, and birds – including earthworms, domestic cats and pigs, blackberries, European fruit flies, Japanese eelgrass, Mediterranean mussels, rats, and terrestrial mollusks – is described in a 2-page spread that includes a full-color photograph of the species, a map showing the species’ presence in the region, and much more.

The evening will include a talk by the editors, followed by a reception and book signing. Books will be available for purchase at the event.
For more information, call the Miller Library at 206-543-0415.
posted 11/04/2006

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Library Open for NHS Wednesday Night Lectures

The library will stay open until 7:00 P.M. on evenings when there is a Northwest Horticultural Society lecture scheduled:

November 8 – Richie Steffen

Lectures are open to the public, $5 members, $10 non-members. posted 9/14/2006

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Harvest Stories Storytime

WHEN: Saturday, November 4th at 10 a.m.
WHO: Kids ages 2 to 7 and their parents 
COST: Free!

See the bounty of the autumn garden. Come listen to true and imagined stories of the harvest. Garanteed to make your mouth water! After the stories, join us in the program room for an activity designed by our guests the King County Master Gardeners.
posted 10/20/2006

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Apple Book Launch Event

The Story of the Apple
by Barrie E. Juniper and David J. Mabberley 
Thursday, October 26 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Merrill Hall Commons, University of Washington Botanic Gardens
Free and open to the public

“The Story of the Apple reveals the solution to a long-standing puzzle. Where did the apple come from, and why is the familiar large, sweet cultivated apple so different from all other wild apple species with their bitter, cherry-sized fruits?” From earthquakes in Tian Shan, to the eating habits of bears and horses, to the multiple virtues of cider, The Story of the Apple describes the fascinating history of one of America’s favorite fruits.

Make plans to join David Mabberley and the staff of the Elisabeth C. Miller Library for the North American launch of The Story of the Apple. Professor Mabberley will talk about his long association with Barrie Juniper and the writing of the book. An autograph signing will follow; copies of the book will be available for purchase at the event, the proceeds of which will benefit the Miller Library. For more information, please call the Miller Library at 206-543-0415.
posted 8/22/2006

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LOVELY LEAVES Story Time

WHEN: Saturday, October 14th at 10 a.m.
WHO: Kids ages 2 to 7 and their parents
COST: Free!

As the leaves change color and drop down where we can see them better, we begin to think about them more.  Why do some leaves stay on the tree while others drop?  What makes leaves change color?   What happens to a leaf after it falls?  Come learn and imagine with us.

posted 9/20/2006

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2006 Elisabeth Carey Miller Memorial Lecture Great Success

Over a thousand plant enthusiasts turned up Thursday night at UW’s Meany Hall to hear Peter Valder speak on the Romance of Chinese Plants.

Limited quantities of Peter Valder’s books, Gardens of China andGarden Plants of China will be for sale at the library until September 28th. Proceeds from the book sale benefit the Elisabeth C. Miller Library.
posted 9/14/2006

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2006 Elisabeth Carey Miller Memorial Lecture

Author Peter Valder
The Romance of Chinese Plants:
Their Role in Art, Literature, Symbolism and Everyday Life
Thursday, September 14
Lecture at 7:30 p.m. followed by refreshments
Meany Hall for the Performing Arts
University of Washington

Peter Valder’s love affair with Chinese gardens has taken him into beautiful and secret places. You won’t want to miss this entertaining and informative lecture!

The Miller Lecture and Reception are free and funded by the Pendleton and Elisabeth Carey Miller Charitable Foundation. Reservations accepted after Monday, August 7. To reserve tickets, phone the Elisabeth C. Miller Botanical Garden at 206-362-8612 or email your RSVP to info@millergarden.org. Tickets will be mailed in confirmation of your reservation.

Copies of Peter Valder’s books, Gardens of China and Garden Plants of China will be available for purchase in the lobby of Meany Hall before and after the lecture. Proceeds from the book sale to benefit the Elisabeth C. Miller Library.
posted 7/20/2006

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Story Time is back!

TREES ARE TERRIFIC
WHEN: Saturday, September 9th at 10 a.m.
WHO: Kids ages 2 to 7 and their parents
COST: Free!

What do trees do for us? What do we do for trees? Our stories this month are all about observing and watching trees. After the stories join us for hands-on activities with the Master Gardeners.

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Lewis and Clark Book and Herbarium Voucher Display

In celebration of the bi-centennial anniversary of explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, The Miller Library and the Hyde Herbarium have assembled a display of books and preserved plant specimens featuring Northwest plant exploration and ethnobotany. The library wishes to thank donors Larry Howard and Nancy Winder for their generous contribution to purchase material focusing on plants documented by Lewis and Clark. A list of the books purchased from their gift is linked below. Examples of a few plants discovered by Lewis and Clark, such as Bear Grass and Western Red Cedar, are also on display from the herbarium collection.

Annotated list of Howard-Winder Gift Books (PDF)

Lewis and Clark Online Exhibits:

www.lewis-clark.org/ 
www.pbs.org/lewisandclark/ 

posted 5/15/2006

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NEW! Summer Hours

The library will begin its summer schedule on Saturday, July 1. We will be open on Saturdays from 9 – 3 in July this year, so plan to stop in and check out our collection! As in past years, the library will be closed on Saturdays in August. Weekday hours will remain the same throughout the summer.

posted 5/15/2006

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UWBG Staff Day Out June 14th

The library will be closed all day on Wednesday, June 14th for an all UWBG staff retreat.
posted 6/06/2006

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It’s A Jungle Out There! Storytime

WHEN: Saturday, June 10th at 10 a.m.
WHO: Kids ages 2 to 7 and their parents
COST: Free!

Learn about The Great Kapok Tree, and explore young Wesley’s new civilization in Weslandia, as we venture into the jungle. Color a rain forest picture to take home and enjoy some tasty snacks! This will be the final storytime before summer. Watch this site for new programs beginning in September!

posted 5/29/2006

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May Flowers – Story Time

WHEN: Saturday, May 13 at 10 a.m.
WHO: Kids ages 2 to 7 and their parents
COST: Free!

What’s blooming now? Come hear about Wanda and her Rose Bush – the bush nobody thinks will bloom. Enjoy the beauty of flowers as well as the science behind it in three great books. You can even check out books to take home! After the stories: Join us in the program room for a program designed by our guests, the Master Gardeners. Explore Seeds and Flowers Kit with hands-on activities:  “Herbie the Seed” puppet, examining different varieties of seeds, etc.

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Book Sale was a Big Success!

Thanks to everyone who supported the Miller Library at our Garden Lovers Book Sale. We raised nearly $8,000, which will be used to buy new books for the library. Special thanks to the Northwest Horticultural Society for hosting the Friday night Preview Party, to Ann LeVasseur and Pat Riehl for planning a marvelous event, to Charles Pember and Ralph Davis as our official “pourers,” and to Ralph and Lynn Davis for donating the wonderful selection of wines. The Friday night silent auction raised $900 for our book budget, and Preview Party ticket sales generated $800 to benefit the NHS Endowment Fund. Watch this site for next year’s book sale dates!

Karen L. Preuss, Library Manager
posted 4/20/2006

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GARDEN LOVERS BOOK SALE at the Elisabeth C. Miller Library

Wine and Cheese Preview Party and Sale
Friday, April 14, 2006
5 – 8 p.m.
$15 admission

Hosted by the Northwest Horticultural Society
Admission benefits the NHS Miller Library Endowment Fund
Tickets can be purchased at the Miller Library

Book Sale
Saturday, April 15, 2006
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Hundreds of gardening and landscape design books! Come search for treasures and stock your shelves! Proceeds from the book sale will augment the Miller Library’s book budget, so we can keep buying great new books for your reading pleasure.

The sale will be held in the Commons at Merrill Hall,
University of Washington Botanic Gardens, 3501 NE 41st Street.
For more information, please call the Miller Library at 206-543-0415.
posted 3/22/2006

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EAT YOUR VEGETABLES – Story Time

WHEN: Saturday, April 8 at 10 a.m.
WHO: Kids ages 2 to 7 and their parents
COST: Free!

Let’s look closely at vegetables and learn about how they grow. Hear a funny story about tops and bottoms, problem solve with Cecil, and experience the joy of discovery with Oliver. After the stories: What part of different plants do we eat? Take a close look and find out!

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Seeds and Sprouts! Story Time for March.

WHEN: Saturday, March 18 at 10 a.m.
WHO: Kids ages 2 to 7 and their parents
COST: Free!
How do plants make seeds? How do seeds sprout? What is the Reason for a Flower and what do bees have to do with it? Kids will have fun exploring this fascinating topic through stories and a hands-on activity. After the stories: Come to the program room and plant a seed to take home

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Learn to Research in the Elisabeth C. Miller Library

Interested in the latest research on compost tea or controlling powdery mildew? Librarian Tracy Mehlin will demonstrate how to search the periodical literature and remove some of the mystique. You will get to know several powerful databases used to search the periodicals. Bring a question of your own to research.

Wednesday, March 15, 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Fee: $12; pre-registration required, call 206-685-8033.
posted 2/22/2006

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Heronswood Nursery’s 2006 Hellebores and More

A benefit for the Elisabeth C. Miller Library

$7.50 admission fee benefits the Miller Library at the University of Washington Botanic Gardens. Stroll, shop, and attend presentations by Heronswood co-owner Dan Hinkley.

Friday and Saturday February 17th and 18th, 2006 9:30 am – 3:30 pm

Heronswood Nursery Ltd. 7530 NE 288th Street Kingston, WA

For more information, please contact the Elisabeth C. Miller Library at (206) 543-0415 or Heronswood Nursery at (360) 297-4172 www.heronswood.com

Posted: 1/25/2006

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Story Time: Plants Gone Wild!

WHEN: Saturday, February 18 at 10 a.m.
WHO: Kids ages 2 to 7 and their parents
COST: Free!

Think plants are mild and meek? Think they just sit there doing nothing? WRONG! Come hear about the HAIRRAISING tale of Plantzilla, the plant who grew and grew and the boy who took her home for the summer. Join us for stories and make wild collage art afterwards.

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A Place to Take Root

The first exhibit devoted to the evolution of the common flower pot — will be presented by the Northwest Horticultural Society at the Northwest Flower and Garden Show February 8-12, 2006. Renowned Connecticut potter Guy Wolff and Seattle potter John Weber will demonstrate their art form live during selected show hours.

Local garden designers will display decorated contemporary containers showing stark contrast between historical and modern, old and new.

For further information please see Northwest Horticultural Society
Posted: 12/28/2005

 

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Notecards for Sale

Developed for the Library’s 20th anniversary, this set of twelve note cards has covers with images from the library’s collection of early 20th century gardening catalogs. Sets are $15 each. Special thanks to the Northwest Horticultural Society for selling the cards for us. They are available at the library desk and all proceeds benefit the Miller Library.

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Twenty Years Old and Still Growing

The Elisabeth C. Miller Library just celebrated its 20th anniversary. Located in a fabulous new facility, the future looks bright. Help the library celebrate and grow in its ability to expand resources and services.

Another way to help the library grow and prosper is to click on the Donation button on the library’s home page. It takes you to the UW Foundation web site where you can donate online using a credit card.

To all our supporters, we thank you for your continued enthusiasm and generosity.
Posted: 5/26/2005

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SNOWY DAY STORIES

WHEN: Saturday, January 21 at 10 a.m.
WHO: Kids ages 2 to 7 and their parents
COST: Free!

Even though it’s dark and dreary outside, and you might think spring will never get here, there’s still a lot of fun to have indoors and out! Join us for some snowy days stories, and make a winter card for someone you love!

Posted: 1/6/2006

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WILDLIFE IN WINTER Storytime

When: Saturday, December 10 at 10:00 a.m.
Who: Kids ages 2 to 7 and their parents
Cost: Free

When the weather turns cold and there’s snow on the ground, what do the birds, squirrels, and other wild animals do for food and warmth? Join us at the library for stories about the animals in forests and our own backyards, and color a picture to take home!
Posted: 12/6/2005

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Coming soon, Pacific Northwest Connections

The Miller Library will soon be presenting Pacific Northwest Connections, bringing together all our books dedicated to the Pacific Northwest and related climates. The rearranged layout and collection flow will create an ideal setting for both in-depth research and leisure reading. To effect these changes, the library will be closed for two staff work days on Tuesday, November 22 and Wednesday, November 23.
Posted: 11/2/2005

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Harvest Stories

WHEN: Saturday Nov. 19 at 10am.
WHO: Kids age 2 to 7 and their parents.
COST: Free.
It’s Apple Season! Where do apples come from, how do they grow? Do green apples taste better than red apples? What about yellow apples?
Join us for apple stories, harvest stories and the tale of the Leaf Man who blew away. We’ll make art with apple stamps and have a taste test to find the best tasting apple.
Posted: 11/12/2005

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New Index Makes Garden Periodicals More Accessible

The Miller Library is now subscribing to an index database of garden periodicals called the Garden Literature Index. This is the premier resource for accessing articles about plants and gardens focused on environmentally sustainable horticulture and design practices. It includes academic as well as popular journals and magazines with over 300 titles. Whether you are a student, working professional, researcher or avid garden enthusiast, you can track down abstracts for many titles, some of which date back more than a decade. You can use the index from any of the library’s public computers by clicking on the icon on the desktop.
Posted: 8/26/2005

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Pumpkin Stories at the Miller Library 
WHEN: Saturday Oct. 29 at 10am.
WHO: Kids age 2 to 7 and their parents.
COST: Free.
“Pumpkin muffins, pumpkin cookies, pumpkin pies …” Rebecca Estelle hates pumpkins! Find out what happens when a giant pumpkin lands – SPLAT – in her yard in Too Many Pumpkins. Learn all about pumpkins at the Miller Library’s first ever story time, with silly stories, fun crafts and tasty treats celebrating our favorite fall vegetable.

You can even check out a pumpkin story or two to read at home! This is the first in a new, monthly series of family programs at the library. Stay tuned for more information on programs coming up in November and December. Posted: 10/10/2005

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Explore the Miller Library Children’s Collection

DATE & TIME: Tuesday, Oct. 11, 7 to 8:30 p.m.
INSTRUCTOR: Miller Library Staff
LOCATION: Miller Library, CUH
FEE: $10; pre-registration required.

The Elisabeth C. Miller Library’s Children’s Collection is a treasure trove of curriculum materials,garden plans and plant-related books for children of all ages. The library staff will highlight some of the library’s very best educational resources. This class is aimed at parents and teachers, and will be tailored to the needs of the participants.

Register by phone using Visa or MasterCard, 206-685-8033. Posted: 9/28/2005

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Address Drought Conditions with Water-wise Practices

You don’t need an official drought declaration to know that summer gardening conditions are typically dry and thirsty. Everything you ever wanted to know and now need to know to use water wisely yet still have a glorious summer garden can be found by clicking on the link above. From tools and water management devices to lists of drought-tolerant plants and practical timely advice, the information you need to make it through the coming summer is easily available through the Elisabeth C. Miller Library.

Posted: 4/15/2005

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Miller Library Now Open in the New Merrill Hall

The Elisabeth C. Miller Horticultural Library is now open regular hours to the public in the newly built Merrill Hall at the Center for Urban Horticulture (CUH) at the UW. Come in and see all the new features from the terrific view to comfy reading chairs to the latest in movable compact shelving. We have a special corner for children complete with soft cushions and a library collection geared for young gardeners.

For a virtual tour of the new library click here Posted: 1/28/2005

Debra Prinzing’s New Book for Northwest Gardeners

Think of the new Debra Prinzing paperback book, Pacific Northwest Garden Survival Guide, as the greatest and best reality show a Pacific Northwest gardener could find. Intensely pragmatic and locally focused, she knows the geography, climate, soil, mood and attitudes of gardens and plants in the area. Prinzing, a Master Gardener, promotes “gardening from the ground up” and the best means to tackle our changing environment and make the most of what nature has so generously provided. From tips on managing pests and invasive plants to understanding soil, making best use of limited water and “going native” with plant selection, her direct and easy style makes this slim paperback an indispensable tool. To check it out, visit the Miller Library or you can order a copy via her web site www.debraprinzing.com/books.php.
Posted: 5/6/2005

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Treasures of the Miller Library, a lecture by Professor David Mabberley

CUH, WPA, and the Miller Library invite you to enjoy a lecture by Professor David Mabberley, welcome him as new director, and celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Miller Library on the occasion of the return of the rare book collection. The UW Special Collections Library housed the heart of the Miller Library’s collections ever since the devastating fire of four years ago. Professor Mabberley has extensive knowledge and a considerable personal collection of many early horticultural and botanical works. Several of the treasures will be on display in the Miller Library before and after the lecture.

DATE & TIME: Sunday, May 22, 2005 Rare Book Preview at 6 p.m., Lecture at 7 p.m. with reception following.
LOCATION: Center for Urban Horticulture, 3501 NE 41th St.
FEE: $10 suggested donation at the door. RSVP by phoning 206-685-8033.
Posted: 4/20/2005

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New Viewing Equipment at the Library

The NHS Furnishing Fund has provided the Elisabeth C. Miller Library with the equipment to preview video tapes and DVDs. There is a new handsome flat screen TV along with a VCR and a DVD recorder.

While most of the audio visual materials at the library are video, we are planning to expand the collection of DVDs. Please contact the library if you have any horticulture or garden activity DVDs you would like to donate. Posted: 4/1/2005

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Spring Time Is Weed Time

The annual spring battle to conquor weeds in the lawn and garden has begun. Be sure to stop by the Elisabeth C. Miller Library to see the exhibit of noxious weed and invasive plant specimens and the library resources to manage them. Wendy DesCamp of the Douglas Hyde Herbarium and Martha Ferguson, library specialist, assembled the display. A visit to the library is a great way to arm yourself with up-to-date information on combating uninvited garden visitors. Posted: 3/18/2005

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The library is hosting a juried show of botanical art sponsored by the Pacific Northwest chapter of the American Society of Botanical Artists. The display will be featured through February 19. Posted 1/28/2005

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2003-2004 Annual Report

The fiscal year for 2003 – 2004 was a momentous one for the Miller Library. Read about the activities and accomplishments in our just published annual report linked above as a .PDF file.

Special note:
Our most sincere apologies go to Pat and Walt Riehl. In the printed version of this report recently mailed their names were inadvertently dropped off the list of contributors who gave more than $1,000 during the year. Pat, as president of the NHS and as chair of the auction committee, was instrumental in raising the $200,000 goal for the furnishing of our wonderful new facility. We deeply appreciate the Riehls ongoing support of the Miller Library. Posted: 12/20/2004

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Search for Order in the Universe – of Libraries

The library’s move into expansive new quarters will make access to its resources easier than ever. A great way to gain a thorough overview of the library is to take the two-part series featured as part of the CUH Outreach program. Seeking information Order, Books, offered on Wednesday, March 9, 2005, will focus on making best use of the library’s catalogue including books and videos; a new user interface gives the catalog a fresh look and better lists of resources and different kinds of information. Seeking Information Order, Periodicals will be taught on Wednesday, March 16, 2005, and is a repeat of a popular fall quarter class on getting the most information possible from the library’s list of periodicals. Whether you are a student doing research, a professional seeking visuals or solutions or an amateur planning a new garden, these tools can make your search more satisfying and enjoyable. Call 206-685-8033 to register. Posted: 12/16/2004

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Updated Book Lists!

Our new booklists have a fresh look and reflect recent additions to our catalogue.

Ground Cover Plants
South African Plants
Garden Trees
Drought Tolerant Gardens
Cacti and Succulents
Shrubs
Shade Gardening
Stormwater Solutions
Water Gardening
Fuchsias
Mushrooms
Alpine and Rock Gardening
Garden Journals and Recordkeeping
Children and Nature

Watch for new booklists on “Garden Construction”, “Green Roofs and Rooftop Gardens”, and “Bulbs”—coming soon!

Posted: 6/5/2004