California Garden & Landscape History Society upcoming events

Wisdom of Place: A Book Talk with Elizabeth Boults and Chip Sullivan (August 25, 2026)

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Wisdom of Place

A virtual book talk with authors Elizabeth Boults and Chip Sullivan

Tuesday, August 25, 2026

5:00 - 6:00 pm

Participants will receive a Zoom link via email the week before the event

Drawn from the union of art, nature, and metaphysics, the book Wisdom of Place presents some of the myths and legends of antiquity as they might be recognized by contemporary earth-shapers. Co-authors and teachers Chip and Elizabeth explore the meaning and symbolism of nature-based beliefs and their expression as a landscape vocabulary, shedding light on the ecological imperatives of our time.

The book artfully pairs spiritualism with environmentalism, leading the reader to find inspiration in the everyday landscapes around us. Their goal is to promote consciousness of our human connection to the spiritual forces of the earth. As landscape architects and artists, they believe that how people value the earth is critical to the creation of a new, more sustainable, design ethos. The book is accompanied by the Oracle Box, a tarot deck and guidebook, that "offers a captivating fusion of artistic expression, ecological awareness, and spiritual exploration."

The presentation will be followed by an opportunity for a Q&A with Chip and Elizabeth, moderated by landscape historian Laurie Matthews.

To learn more about the authors, or to order a copy of the book, Wisdom of Place, or the Oracle Box, visit: https://www.thewisdomofplace.com/

Speakers

Chip Sullivan is an artist and professor emeritus of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning at University of California, Berkeley, who has devoted his career to promoting landscape architecture as an art form. Chip has earned national and international recognition for his expertise in landscape representation as well as innovative energy-conserving design. He is a Fellow of the American Academy in Rome, the American Society of Landscape Architects, and the Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture.

Elizabeth Boults is a licensed landscape architect and educator with over 25 years of professional and academic experience. Her areas of focus are landscape history, representation, and site design. She is a SITES Accredited Professional who maintains a landscape design practice founded on promoting environmental consciousness and ecological narratives. She is senior lecturer in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at University of California, Davis.

Together they have co-authored Illustrated History of Landscape Design (Wiley, 2010), Wisdom of Place: A Guide to Recovering the Sacred Origins of Landscape (ORO Editions, 2024), as well as Wisdom of Place: Elements of Sacred Landscapes oracle deck (ORO Editions, 2025).

Moderator

Laurie Matthews is a landscape historian, artist, educator, and nationally recognized leader in cultural landscape preservation. Through her work, she explores the intersection of place, history, culture, and spirit, revealing how landscapes embody our collective stories and shape our understanding of the world. She believes that landscapes are living records of human experience—places where memory, ecology, and culture converge—and invites others to discover the stories they hold. Her current research examines archetypal landscape forms found in myth and folklore, and animistic and pantheistic traditions associated with features such as sacred springs. She serves as Director of Preservation Planning + Design and the Cultural Places Studio at MIG and teaches at the University of Oregon's College of Design. She holds a BLA and MLA from the University of Oregon and a BA in Art from Lewis & Clark College. Laurie is a Fellow of the American Society of Landscape Architects.

All graphics provided by presenters.

Widsom of Place Spirit Walk in San Francisco (August 29, 2026)

Sat, 29 Aug 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Wisdom of Place Spirit Walk: Urban Exploration and Art Making

Downtown San Francisco

Saturday, August 29th: 10 AM - 1 PM

Join landscape architects Elizabeth Boults, and Chip Sullivan for a magical journey in search of the genius loci – the spirit of place – as we explore two iconic San Francisco plazas through drawing, field sketching, and collaging.

Gain insights into the creative forces and hidden currents of nature as we weave through the historic urban fabric. We'll start at the Sydney G. Walton Square, designed by Peter Walker in the 1960s to evoke an alpine meadow in the heart of the Embarcadero Center, and conclude at Levi's Plaza, a corporate campus designed by Lawrence Halprin and inspired by the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

Elizabeth and Chip will guide the group through the modern landscapes, providing prompts and instruction as we fill our sketchbooks. To open the workshop, participants will be invited to create a personalized oracle card, with materials provided by the instructors. (See Wisdom of Place, published by Elizabeth and Chip for more information.)

No sketching or drawing experience is required to register for this spirit walk. The workshop is open to artists at all levels, from beginners to professional designers. The first 20 registrants will be provided with a complimentary sketchbook.

Detailed instructions on meeting point and schedule will be provided upon registration. Please note that this event will include a walk from Sydney G. Walton Square to Levi's Plaza. Registration is limited, but a waitlist will be opened if the event meets capacity.

About our instructors:

Fellow of the American Academy in Rome, the American Society of Landscape Architects, and the Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture.

Cancellation Policy: Please notify us at info@cglhs.org if you need to cancel your registration so that we can notify the next person on the waitlist. Full refunds will not be granted after Aug. 22.

Photos provided by Elizabeth Boults, Chip Sullivan, and Janet Grayck. From top to bottom: students sketching during a spirit walk; a handfull of oracle cards from the Wisdom of Place tarot deck; Levi's Plaza in 2026; past urban spirit walk; co-instructors Chip and Elizabeth.

SAVE THE DATE - Port of LA Conference (October 23, 2026)

Sat, 24 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Courtesy of the Port of Los Angeles

Image created by John Martin.

Harbor Heritage: Landscapes & Landmarks Through Time

SAVE THE DATE!!

Join us as we explore the evolving story of the Port's waterfront - its historic landscapes, iconic structures, and the transformation of working harbor spaces into today's modern terminals and public environments. This year's conference will highlight the rich cultural, architectural, and natural heritage that has shaped the Port of Los Angeles across generations.

Details to follow!