The beloved Madison autumn exhibit GLEAM is an annual evening art and light exhibit at Olbrich Gardens in September and October. This year, there are 16 artists with exhibits scattered throughout the gardens, offering the community an opportunity to walk through the gardens after the sun goes down. The exhibit runs Wednesdays through Saturdays 7:30-10:30 until October 25th. Today we are joined with two of the creators of GLEAM: Missy Jeanne, the Public Programs Manager at Olbrich Gardens, and Ben Smith, the Director of Operations at the University Center at UW-Whitewater.

The exhibit attracts community members all over Madison, highlighting nature, art, and the beauty of the gardens at night. GLEAM is an immersive experience which is designed to foster a sense of wonder and play. This year, the theme is Reflection: reflecting a language of love for the natural world. 

Jeanne and Smith noted that certain plants and trees at Olbrich Gardens which might not stand out during the day often pop out at night when everything else is dark. Gleam highlights plants, trees and nighttime pollinators that are often missed during the day. This gives people a chance to follow their curiosity and return another time to discover more about that plant. 

Attendance and interest in Botanical Gardens across the country has been at a steady increase since the pandemic. Attendance at GLEAM alone rose from 18,000 to 30,000 since 2020. The conversation stressed the importance of accessibility to these spaces, and how spending time in nature is becoming a higher priority for everyone. Jeanne credits this increased interest to people taking time to enjoy the little things during a time when everything else can feel like a big thing.

Missy Jeanne has served as the Public Programs Manager at Olbrich Botanical Gardens for the past 16 years. In this role, she designs and implements innovative programs and exhibits that connect visitors to the Gardens through visual and performing arts. Collaborating across departments and with community partners, Missy fosters creative engagement and inclusivity in public programming. She is a co-creator of GLEAM, Olbrich’s annual exhibit featuring large-scale light installations throughout the outdoor gardens and Bolz Conservatory.

Ben Smith is the Director of Operations at the University Center, UW-Whitewater, bringing 28 years of experience in audio, video, and lighting technology engineering and construction management. His transition to higher education operations reflects a passion for creating dynamic and engaging environments that support student life and campus events. A seasoned lighting designer and video projection artist, Ben has contributed to major productions including the 2010 Winter Olympic Ceremonies and NBC’s Tonight Show, as well as public art installations like Madison’s Olbrich Gardens Gleam exhibition.

Photo courtesy of Kate Paape.

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