Omnibus 2: Dickens in Washington December 2006 A 146 years ago, Charles Dickens visited the US and published an account called “American Notes for General Circulation.” Our second issue of Omnibus reprints Chapter 8 of “American Notes,” in which Dickens details his visit to Washington DC. His descriptions of the city, Americans in general, and the White House and Capital Building are quite interesting — and he minces no words about the practice of tobacco chewing and slavery. The book features period images of the young federal city. In her introduction, writer Amy McBroom contributes her own reaction: “Surprisingly, I found a fascinating historical view of the people and cities of the eastern United States, and Washington, DC in particular. My perception of a stodgy, antique Englishman has come to an end.” Omnibus is an occasional series on subjects that I find interesting, amusing or thought-provoking, and is given to the clients and friends of Lanfordesign. Green Spring Gardens September 2006 Lanfordesign was selected by Green Spring Gardens to design interpretive panels, an orientation map, and a visitor brochure for the park. Green Spring Gardens is a 27-acre park and public garden in Alexandria, Virginia. The site includes an historic designed landscape by two American masters, Beatrix Farrand and Walter Macomber, and is home to the National Witch Hazel Collection. Stay tuned in the months ahead for project results. Phase 2 Complete January 2007 We have just completed the design phase of the Haupt interpretive panels. The final system has expanded to 16 panels. The content ranges from general information with an orientation map to specific panels that interpret the garden’s unique features and a series of smaller historical panels. All will be fabricated in porcelain enamel. The Enid A. Haupt Garden is the Smithsonian’s 4.2-acre signature formal garden adjacent to the Smithsonian Castle. In the next phases, we will produce a construction package, send out to bid, fabricate and install by June 2007. Previous Collaboration Continues with Garden April 2007 I have begun working on the US Botanic Garden’s “A Sense of Place” exhibition. This effort continues my 7-year relationship with the Garden, and includes a series of 18 interpretive panels, exhibition identity and exterior banners. The exhibit will showcase the diversity of America’s public gardens on its Conservatory terrace and will open on May 26th. The images (above) are from photo studies of some of the garden’s spectacular hydrangea collection. United States Holocaust Memorial Museum February 2007 Lanfordesign continues our long-term relationship with the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM) by being retained to provide design services in support of the museum’s permanent exhibition “The Holocaust,” and other special projects. This includes areas of exhibition graphics, silk-screened graphics, porcelain enamel graphics and publications. The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM) is dedicated to documenting, studying, and interpreting the history of the Holocaust. It also serves as the United States’ official memorial to the millions of European Jews and others killed during the Holocaust. New Work: Haupt Interpretive Panels June 2007 Just in time for summer, we have completed a system of interpretive panels for the Smithsonian's Enid A. Haupt Garden. It consists of 16 porcelain enamel panels that include a garden map and historical information about the site. The Haupt Garden is comprised of three distinct areas — an Asian-influenced Moongate Garden, a Moorish-style Fountain Garden, and a 19th-century parterre. Throughout the garden are Victorian-era garden furnishings. It is particularly lush this time of year with a wonderful variety of plants and tropical palms. New Work: A Sense of Place July 2007 I have completed an exhibition graphics program for “A Sense of Place” — a new exhibit at the United States Botanic Garden (USBG). The exhibit celebrates the work and importance of public gardens across America, and will be on the USBG’s Conservatory Terrace until October 8th. Work in Progress August 2007 While it’s hot and humid outside, I’m keeping cool with images of glaciers, snow-capped mountains and wild rivers. I am currently working on interpretive panels for Lake Clark National Park and Preserve in Alaska. The park — in Southwestern Alaska — is also home to 2 active volcanoes. Omnibus in Print October 2007 Omnibus 2 has been selected to appear in the Print Regional Design Annual 2007. The annual will appear on newsstands in November and represents the best design, illustrations, and photography being produced throughout the United States. Omnibus is an occasional series on subjects that I find interesting, amusing or thought-provoking, and is given to the clients and friends of Lanfordesign. New at Lanfordesign Next