Hi. I’m Scott Winter, Director of the Walker’s Annual Fund. I am basically responsible for all of the Walker’s membership programs (15 at last count), as well as raising money for the annual Garden Fund (but that’s another story).
As one of my many duties, I am often asked to accommodate groups of donors visiting from other institutions with a tour. And so there I was this past Saturday morning, sharing the wonders of the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden with a group of 20 or so donors from the Yale University Art Gallery.
As we reached the Palm Room of the Cowles Conservatory, I noticed something odd.
Standing Glass Fish was not standing in a pool of pitch black water. Nope. SGF was standing in crystal clear water, where the bottom of the pool was showing its age.
An inquiry to our intrepid Registration Deptartment set the record straight.
The pool is typically filled with water along with a special ink that dyes the water a densely saturated black, providing a strong reflection of SGF to those peering in. The bottom of the pool is also home to a dark lining that aids in the cause.
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, who maintains the pool, has reported a small leak in the pond that requires the pool to be constantly refilled. To keep from losing the dye as well, they are waiting until the pond can be repaired before returning it to it’s murky glory.
So now I have a tale to tell the group of donors from Chicago who will be joining me for a private garden tour THIS Saturday!
And so do you.