'Flower Power' exhibit celebrating the 1960s coming to New York Botanical Garden
The exhibit runs from May 23 through Oct. 18, 2026
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A new exhibit, called "Flower Power," is debuting Memorial Day weekend at the New York Botanical Garden, putting the spirit of the 1960s on display.
"We really wanted to celebrate the optimism, and of course, we love the groovy look of the period. We love the art," said Michaela Wright, the director of interpretive and exhibition content for the New York Botanical Garden.
As would be expected from the name and location, the exhibit features plenty of flowers.
"The '60s were a period where people were really getting reconnected with nature, and the flower becomes this really celebrated symbol of culture, of peace, of love," explained Wright.
There are also art installations and interactive sculptures, filled with colors.
"I tried to create this area where you can feel free, like the hippies did in the '60s did, probably," said William Hochweber, one of the featured artists.
Exhibits also explain the deeper meaning behind some of the symbols that dot the garden.
"You can do a little deep dive into the history of how the flowers were used first in the anti-war movement, and with American environmentalism, which was born in the '60s," Wright said.
Music is also heavily involved. Not only is it playing throughout every part of the exhibit, but live performances are planned during certain days outside in the yard. There will also be some shows at night, which will be accompanied by light shows on the side of the library building.
"How people talked about flowers - that was in music too," Wright said.
"(The music) increases the experiences of feeling free, and having also the possibility to sit down on the grass on one of these beautiful benches, and just relax," added Hochweber.
Tickets for the Flower Power exhibit need to be purchased separately.
