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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, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) is a nonprofit educational institution whose mission is to educate and inspire families, especially children, to appreciate horticulture and the importance of trees in our lives by providing fun and memories in a beautiful garden setting.
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.
Claudia’s Carousel
Restoration Artists: Waldon Hogue & Linda Buchanan
Wood, Metal & Paint • c.1990
Michael Bonfante acquired this vintage children’s carousel from a Southern California collector in 1988. Gilroy residents Waldon Hogue and Linda Buchanan helped restore the carousel, giving the historic attraction new life before it found its home in Claudia’s Garden. Hogue worked on the carousel’s structure and wooden floor, while Buchanan hand-painted its colorful aluminum horses. She even painted the eyes of two Victorian figures to match the eye colors of her own children.
ABOUT THE ARTISTS: Waldon Hogue is a long-time Gilroy resident and craftsman whose restoration work helped preserve Claudia’s Carousel for future generations. Linda Buchanan is a Gilroy artist and designer whose hand-painted horses and decorative details give the carousel much of its colorful character. Together, their craftsmanship remains part of an attraction enjoyed by generations of Gilroy Gardens families.
Rocko
“Rocko” was originally sculpted out of a 20-ton boulder for Knott’s Berry Farm’s Knott’s Kingdom of Dinosaurs attraction before being moved to the Camp Snoopy section of the park. It was carved between January and February 1988. Rocko was donated to Gilroy Gardens and is now proudly located along the Park’s midway just in front of The Green Barn, where guests can explore science and nature in a unique learning space.
John Cody, (1948 – 2025) was a self-taught California sculptor known for working in stone, particularly serpentine, a metamorphic rock native to the state. His works often depict animals, dinosaurs, and natural forms — stylized but solid and earthy, with a focus on organic curves and textures.
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].