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| - I adore Phipps. I may be more of an animal lover than a fan of botany, but Phipps always (at least briefly) makes me want to go home and plant some flowers. Of course then I get home and I remember that my garden will never compare to this massive greenhouse, and I will never have the hours of time and dedication available that the staff here do.
The first time I realized Phipps was special, and just as fun as the Carnegie museums here in the city, was when the Dale Chihuly glass display exhibit came through. I was just leaving high school and thought it was an amazing, eye-opening exhibit - I'd never realized plants could be so beautiful or be used as part of an art show so well. The fact that some of his pieces are still at Phipps is a wonderful reminder about the time I learned to love the greenhouse after years of somehow just not caring about it.
Since then, I've made up for lost time, especially since Pitt students can enter Phipps for free. For four years I would visit every couple of weeks, especially during the winter months - just so I could get some color into my otherwise dreary winter days; the bright flowers, fresh air and the aromatherapy that's created in any bustling greenhouse was the perfect way to combat Pittsburgh's cold and cloudy weather.
Even as a graduate now, though, I always visit Phipps once during every special exhibit and show they put together throughout the year - spring, summer, fall, winter, butterfly forest, I'm here for all of them. Occasionally I'll stop in for their evening hours on Fridays, as seeing the place in the evening or at night is a whole new experience in and of itself. And their holiday shows, which include a decorated garden out back? Absolutely a must-see, especially just after a recent snowfall. It's one of the most beautiful things you'll see in our Steel City.
If you haven't been to Phipps yet, be sure to fix that ASAP. Every show is beautiful, and so worth checking out. Be sure to check out their website so you don't miss out on Phipps' next amazing exhibit!
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