View Calendar
Art in the Park
Showcasing the work of California artists at Gilroy Gardens
With majestic gardens and over 10,000 trees, Gilroy Gardens is a truly beautiful place—and an inspiration to many artists in our community. Art in the Park celebrates the creative contributions of California artists by showcasing different works of art throughout the park.
We invite you to discover these artworks—and perhaps even create some of your own!
On a Mission
Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to educate and inspire families, especially children, to appreciate horticulture and the importance of trees.
Creating and experiencing art helps give us a deeper appreciation for the natural beauty that is all around us. That’s why we started the Art in the Park program—to celebrate local California artists and share their work with the children and families who visit Gilroy Gardens.
Annual Art Commission: Spring Gardens
Starting in 2026, Gilroy Gardens will commission an original art piece each year. Collectible prints will be distributed for free to all Premium Members who attend the Premium Member Preview Day (typically held one week before the park opens to the general public).
2026 Premium Members who came to the park on Saturday, March 23 received a limited-edition print of Spring Gardens by Suhita Shirodkar. Based in San José, California, Suhita is a mixed media artist and educator with a practice strongly rooted in drawing. Her work records the world around her, both the ordinary and the unfamiliar, through fresh eyes.
Spring Gardens, a watercolor and mixed media artwork, celebrates the exuberance of spring, when colors and foliage return to the celebrated Circus Trees at Gilroy Gardens.
Rocko
“Rocko” the baby Triceratops was carved from a 20-ton serpentine boulder in 1988 by rock sculptor John Cody, who worked on site at Knott’s Berry Farm in Southern California. Guests got to see Rocko come to life as part of the park’s Kingdom of the Dinosaurs attraction.
After spending many years hanging out in Camp Snoopy at Knott’s Berry Farm, Rocko was eventually donated and moved to his new home at Gilroy Gardens. You can now find him in front of The Green Barn, which is a perfect place to explore nature, science, and art.
Windows into Wonder
Windows Into Wonder was created as an auction donation item for the Gilroy Foundation “Day in the Country” event by Gilroy, California artist Whitney Pintello. Gilroy Gardens purchased the piece, which features some of our park’s beloved landmarks and attractions. You can find it at the Welcome Center.
Painting since 2000, Whitney specializes in reverse painting on vintage windows. This ancient art form involves painting “in reverse”—foreground details first, then background—directly to the back of the glass sheet to create a vibrant image viewed from the front.
Calling All Artists!
If you’re a California artist, there are many ways you can help support our educational mission at Gilroy Gardens!
- Participate in a future Annual Art Commission
- Donate an existing artwork
- Volunteer to help educate our guests (especially children) about art through tutorials, workshops, or demonstrations
To get involved, please send email to [email protected].