UNIVERSITY CAL BERKELEY GARDENS JAN WASHBURN MEMORIAL
by Kirk McGuire on 08/20/25
2025 Currently I am working on a University of California Berkeley Gardens, commission.
Creating a 4' tall bronze memorial sculpture, for the colleges 34 acre campus Gadens.
The third largest campus garden in the United States!
The sculpture will consist of three pitcher plants, with several Green tree frogs and a stunning dragonfly! The endangered Green Pitcher Plant (Sarracenia oreophila) is becoming exceedingly rare.
This memorial is honoring the beloved, late Environmental Sciences Professor Dr. Jan Washburn. As well he was an Entomologist, global warming speaker and artist. It is said he and I would of had a kinship, concerning our love of nature. I wish I had known Jan. This sculpture was made possible by Joe Acanfora, as well other dear friends of Jan Wasburns. Joe found out about me doing online searches. We immediately 'clicked'! And both proceeded to work out the details. Including my very first 'Zoom call' with University garden curators and various deciding positions in power. Once they approved my rough sketches and a smaller maquette. I was given the green-light, to begin sculpting this beautiful memorial, for a beautiful man. Beloved, by his friends and colleagues alike. To date this piece will be one of my most touching endeavors, in sculpture.
ENDANGERED GREEN PITCHER PLANT ON LOAN.
FROM CAL BERKELEY GARDENS
4' bronze memorial for Dr. Jan Washburn
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA BOTANICAL GARDEN
