Modern Architecture and Design

EN (FR en bas): We're still accepting people in our classes. Join us!​ -step 1: Book here! -> [https://www.danceproject.be/reservations.html](https://www.danceproject.be/reservations.html) -step 2: Show up! [Schedule](https://www.danceproject.be/classes.html#schedule) Fees : [All info on trials, packs, subscriptions here](https://www.danceproject.be/classes.html#fees) Locations: -Rue Brialmont 7, Brussels Metro/Tram: Botanique Salsa, Bachata, Lindy Hop, Forró Intro - 1: From base to the dancefloor! When you come for the first time we go over the base & rhythm with you. Then you are included in the group and everybody learns the same new steps for which you just need the base. Practice makes perfect: just relax and enjoy Salsa, Bachata, Lindy Hop and/or Forró! Our group is very welcoming and looking forward to meet new dancers! Salsa, Bachata, Lindy Hop, Forró Roots I - 2: Ready to go deeper on Salsa, Bachata, Lindy Hop &/or Forró? Let's go! [https://www.danceproject.be/classes.html#improvers](https://www.danceproject.be/classes.html#improvers) Salsa, Forró Roots II - 3: Looking for #SalsaChallenge? Already familiar with Forró Root? We've got your back! [https://www.danceproject.be/classes.html#intermediates](https://www.danceproject.be/classes.html#intermediates) More info: -Web: [https://www.danceproject.be](https://www.danceproject.be) -Whatsapp: +32 493 16 41 10 -Mail: brussels.salsa.project@gmail.com -[Facebook](https://facebook.com/brussels.salsa.project) -[Instagram](https://instagram.com/brussels.salsa.project) \-\-\-\-\- FR: Nous acceptons encore de nouvelles personnes dans nos cours. Rejoins-nous ! -1ère pas : Fait ta réservation ! -> [https://www.danceproject.be/reservation.html](https://www.danceproject.be/reservation.html) -2ème pas : Vient danser ! [Horaire](https://www.danceproject.be/cours.html#horaire) Les prix : [Toutes les infos sur les essais, packs, abonnements ici](https://www.danceproject.be/cours.html#prix) Endroits : -Rue Brialmont 7, Bruxelles Metro/Tram: Botanique Salsa, Bachata, Lindy Hop, Forró Intro - 1 : De la base à la piste de danse ! Lorsque tu nous rejoins on voit la base et le rythme avec toi. Ensuite, tu es inclus dans le groupe et tout le monde apprend les mêmes pas pour lesquelles tu as juste besoin de la base. C'est en forgeant qu'on devient forgeron : détend-toi et profite la Salsa, de la Bachata, du Lindy Hop et/ou du Forró ! Notre groupe est très accueillant et a hâte de rencontrer de nouveaux danseurs ! Salsa, Bachata, Lindy Hop, Forró Roots I - 2 : Prêt à approfondir la Salsa, la Bachata, le Lindy Hop &/ou le Forró ? Allons-y! [https://www.danceproject.be/cours.html#inities](https://www.danceproject.be/cours.html#inities) Salsa, Forró Roots II - 3 : Tu cherches #DefiSalsa ? Tu connais déjà Forró Roots ? Nous sommes là pour toi ! [https://www.danceproject.be/cours.html#intermediaires](https://www.danceproject.be/cours.html#intermediaires) Plus d’info: -Web: [https://www.danceproject.be/fr.html](https://www.danceproject.be/fr.html) -Whatsapp: +32 493 16 41 10 -Mail: brussels.salsa.project@gmail.com -[Facebook](https://facebook.com/brussels.salsa.project) -[Instagram](https://instagram.com/brussels.salsa.project)

"The best time and place to start dancing salsa or improve your level" Salsa beginner class >>>>19h00-20h00 Salsa intermediate class >>>>20h-21h30 Free practice (social) >>>>21h30 \[Where\]: Atelier Gansbeek \- Rue du grand hospice 7\, 1000 Bruxelles [Registration]: Confirm your attendance in this event or send me a message here or via email urieldances@gmail.com [Fees]\*: 10€ = 1 class 45€ = 5 classes 80€ = 10 classes \*Students get a special discount [What to expect]: Salsa lessons for beginners and intermediates Meet new people (locals and expats) Nice and cosy place Fun and friendly atmosphere Practice after the class

Looks like you survived the Monday, join us for to wind down, discuss the struggles and prepare for the rest of the week. Using the Meetup RSPV system is optional, the meetup is never cancelled and you can leave early or drop in late. For detailed location updates, check the Meetup comments.

Do you want to become a confident public speaker? To communicate better and connect? And have fun? Come and join Atomic Toastmasters. You'll find a supportive learn-by-doing environment. It doesn't matter if you are an experienced speaker or if you are a guest. We are there to support you, to make you feel good about yourself and to help you learn in a way that's fun. We have lovely Table Topic sessions (impromptu speeches) and 3 to 4 prepared speeches. Through practice, peer evaluation and educational tools, we learn how to present our messages effectively, concisely and professionally. We are excited to welcome you every Monday. Header photo: Brussels, Arcades du Cinquantenaire, by Marc Ryckaert (MJJR), via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0. Atomic Team

**Tango Classes Every Monday at Tangobar El Lunes!** Embark on a tango journey with our weekly classes guided by passionate and experienced instructors, Sandrina Dh and Daniele Galiazzo. * **Beginners Class (18:00-19:10):** Perfect for those intrigued by tango and eager to take their first steps into this beautiful dance form. * **Intermediate & Advanced Class (19:20-20:30):** Ideal for dancers seeking to perfect their movements, embellishments, and learn new sequences to enhance their dance. *Important:* Always arrive 10 minutes in advance for registration. *Pricing:* * Single lesson: €15 * 10 lessons (membership card\*): €125 (valid for 3 months), with a €10 discount on your next pass purchase (must be prior to the expiration of your current pass). Feel free to share this invitation with anyone interested in the authentic tango experience, Tango Rioplatense! See you in class on Monday night! *\*\*\*Join us at Tango Bar El Lunes, located at Dublin 13, 1050 Bruxelles.For more information, please contact us at info@detangosetrata.com or* *WhatsApp Sandrina +32 473 503405* *We look forward to seeing you at our Monday night milonga and tango classes!*

Want to feel more confident when speaking in public – in any language? Do you live in Brussels and speak Spanish, but often find yourself switching to English or French at work? **Armada Toastmasters** is the perfect place to practise expressing yourself clearly and confidently – whatever the language. We are a bilingual Toastmasters club where communication and leadership skills grow together – in a fun, supportive setting. Next meeting: 📅 Whit Monday, 25 May 🕗 18:30 – 21:30 📍 Jubelpark / Cinquantenaire Why join Armada Toastmasters? ✔️ Practise public speaking with prepared speeches and impromptu exercises ✔️ Improve your communication and leadership skills ✔️ Receive constructive feedback in a positive environment ✔️ Meet a vibrant, multicultural community – many of us speak Spanish too! Meetings are in English – but we celebrate linguistic diversity. Whether you’re new to Toastmasters or a seasoned speaker, you’ll find space to grow at your own pace. Guests are always welcome – no pressure, just participation. 📩 Interested? RSVP on Meetup and come experience Toastmasters for yourself! Header photo: Brussels, Arcades du Cinquantenaire, by Marc Ryckaert (MJJR), via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0.

**Welcome to our May UX Beers in Mechelen!** This time, we will host our event on Tuesday the 26th of May at [Buffl](https://buffl.be) in Mechelen. [Ariad](https://www.ariadgroup.com/) and [Creative Skills](https://www.creativeskills.be/) sponsor our events. Follow the event online? We stream live via [Youtube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBqyTDAyQBw) \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- \#\#\# UX TALKS **Talk 1: Research Reinvented** [Michiel Willekens](https://www.linkedin.com/in/michiel-willekens/), Productmanager @ BUFFL and [Seppe Stroo](https://www.linkedin.com/in/seppe-stroo-843b82128/), Founding partner @ BUFFL In this presentation, BUFFL will demonstrate how rethinking research can drive real business results through a pragmatic case study. You’ll discover how to translate business objectives into the right customer questions and how to act on those insights immediately to accelerate growth and sales. By bringing the live voice of thousands of (potential) customers into the decision-making process, organizations can ask the right questions at the right time and turn insights into measurable business impact: from increased sales and customer loyalty/experience to stronger brand awareness and more effective activation strategies. **Talk 2: Synthetic Personas – real insights or digital illusions?** [Kate Foszcz](https://www.linkedin.com/in/katarzyna-foszcz/?locale=en), AI Product designer @ Ebay Can synthetic personas help us make better business decisions, or are we just interviewing very convincing imaginary friends? In this talk, Kate will explore where synthetic personas can actually bring value, from testing assumptions to speeding up research, and where they can quietly mislead us with biased, overconfident, or poorly grounded answers. Expect a practical look at how to design these systems responsibly, when to trust them, and when to go back to real humans. \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- \#\#\# SCHEDULE 18:00 - Doors open. Drinks & snacks 19.00 - 19.15 - Introduction to UX Belgium Meetup, announcements 19.15 - 19:45 - Talk #1 19:45 -20:15 - BREAK 20:15 - 20:45 - Talk #2 20:45 - 21:30 - Socialize \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- \#\#\# SLACK CHANNEL We have our own UX Belgium slack channel. [Come join us and say hi!](https://join.slack.com/t/ux-belgium/shared_invite/zt-1bjpnuiog-T4Di4flXYPWgbT9KrZ53CA) \*\*\* \#\#\# YOUTUBE CHANNEL All our livestreams and talks are recorded and available on our [UX Belgium youtube channel](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCno7V18T-EglYXprgrUZQ7A). \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- \#\#\# ABOUT UX BELGIUM UX Belgium is a growing community of User Experience (UX) professionals in and around Belgium. Look for these types of events: UX Beers Periodically, we gather at a different agency or venue to drink beers, network and listen to speakers on various themes in the world of UX and digital design. UX Antwerp: Each last Tuesday of the month UX Brussels: Each second Tuesday of the month, 4x per year UX Workshops Now and then we organize events to dive deeper into specific skills and techniques in UX. These are smaller, hands-on workshops designed to boost your UX toolbox. \*\*\* The UX Belgium Meetup Team

What would make a city "ideal"? The answer(s) might first appear on the surface (excuse the pun) to be a no-brainer: thriving, prosperous, clean, safe, energizing yet relaxing, beautiful, affordable, etc ... However, as we further unpack and explore all these factors, we might soon begin to see that the answer(s) may not be that simple after all - not only considering the reality of limited resources (not enough money or energy - or surface area - to realize all visions, therefore choices have to be made), but also confronting the reality that each decision made will have implications on the whole system, as every element in a city both influences and requires all others. Inspired by Plato's *Republic,* one approach to answer the question "What is an ideal city?" could be to compare this question with the question, "What is an ideal human being?" If there might be *many* types of ideal cities or human beings, what properties (again, excuse the pun!) would they all have in common? Each city should best of course be studied in the context of its particular history, geography, climate, ecosystem, economics, culture etc. How have cities optimized (achieving differing degrees of success) their natural advantages while compensating for their vulnerabilities? What type(s) of people would be the ideal cities' inhabitants and visitors? How homogeneous or heterogeneous should a city be to both flourish and function optimally? (cf. meetup topic of 7/11/2020). In which ways should its citizens behave uniformly and in which ways diversely? Should architecture and urban design be used to promote social/political/ethical behaviour? How would *social* navigation ("networking" and maintaining ties) in our city operate? What sorts of infrastructure and urban culture would facilitate thriving interactions? How can city and nature be best reconciled? How should our cities deal with climate change and function sustainably? Where do we go from now? What lies in the future for our cities in the world today? At the micro level... What would your ideal city look like? (For example - just 1 out of hundreds of possible questions - how high should its highrises be?) What would be the ideal size of geographical area that we would consider to be our "home territory" i.e. the amount of earth surface area that we move upon during an average day/week/month of our living? How would we move around? What would your own personal lifestyle be like in your ideal city? Would a "low-stress" lifestyle be ideal, and if so, what characteristics of our ideal city would facilitate this? What would you argue are the most positive and negative aspects of cities you can think of in the world today? Jane Jacobs' ideas, values and theories continue to remain a standard reference even today, 65 years later [https://youtu.be/Y4k6SXaUXho?is=zdkUoi9hbzE7Lpg-](https://youtu.be/Y4k6SXaUXho?is=zdkUoi9hbzE7Lpg-) Carlos Moreno's concept of "15-min city", introduced 10 years ago, has become increasingly popular - as well as debated [https://youtu.be/a1tUy8uqlOE?is=RW4eRLplijnyomKU](https://youtu.be/a1tUy8uqlOE?is=RW4eRLplijnyomKU) Edward Glaeser interview (only if you have enough time) [https://youtu.be/k2USzajXfLk?is=2sPas0L8_C0COrL](https://youtu.be/k2USzajXfLk?is=2sPas0L8_C0COrL) *(begin from 03.00) Where we're going (possibly)... [https://youtu.be/T6mK-Ukr_ts?is=QjHyf8uVu6GlzuTF](https://youtu.be/T6mK-Ukr_ts?is=QjHyf8uVu6GlzuTF) [https://youtu.be/zHgfKz7aQkY?is=H56JVVaLlJXbLRjl](https://youtu.be/zHgfKz7aQkY?is=H56JVVaLlJXbLRjl) [https://youtu.be/hfHtFiqw-IY?is=-LVjTtb07ZSYPosI](https://youtu.be/hfHtFiqw-IY?is=-LVjTtb07ZSYPosI) Photo (by Alan Woo): Chóngqìng from the air (May 2026)

Come to our beaded jewel making workshop and prepare a jewellery for your loved one! :) Materials: fishing wire, different beads, faux leather, finishes and chains Method: we are going to prepare pieces of winter collections. Feel free to select the piece you would like to prepare from the webshop: https://www.tulipanedesign.eu/ Number of participants: maximum 7 persons Place : in our cosy atelier (1 Rue Pierre Theunis, sonette 81, 1030 Schaerbeek). Please note: we have a cat in the atelier. Registration: Click attend or email to tulipanedesign@gmail.com until 20 Mqrch 17h More info via phone: 0484329477 Price: 25 € TTC per person that includes the material, snacks and vouchers About the moderator Edit, founder of Tulipane Design. ‘Raised in the Hungarian countryside, I learned sewing, crochet and traditional bead weaving. Jewellery being my main interest, I especially liked bead weaving. This passion has always been with me. Since I have been living in Belgium, the African style fascinates me as much as the Hungarian folk style. With my work, which manifests itself under the brand name Tulipane Design, I would like to offer a delicate mixture of Eastern Europe and Africa. The designs are created and woven bead by bead. It is a work of patience and a kind of meditation: the beads take time to be woven. Through my childhood trauma with an abusive father, I realised that creating is a crucial activity to find my balance and well-being and I think I am not alone with this. That's why my goal is not only to share my creations with other women but also to contribute to a social impact. Tulipane Design contributes with 1€/jewel sold to the Domestic Violence Centre in Belgium.’ More information about Tulipane Design: Instagram or Facebook @tulipanedesign or at https://www.tulipanedesign.eu/

The unique exhibition *Bellezza e Bruttezza* at Bozar will soon come to an end. The works are amazing and can be appreciated on their own, but the thought-provoking thread running through the exhibition is less obvious and might benefit from the guidance of an art historian. If you wish to learn more about the prescriptive power of images as it emerged during the 16th century, join this guided tour. I'm one of Bozar's guides, and the rates are the official ones. Let's meet at 11:15 in the main Horta Hall. Be on time, we have to set up the audio system. Edit : Since we are not reaching 10 participants for Bellezza e Brutezza, I propose to use my Joker at Bozar: I can offer one personal tour. Entrance is €18 full price, €2 with Museum Pass. After the visit, you can simply give me whatever tip you like. Please confirm you still want to attend. So we keep the visit! Looking forward to seeing you all :-) Jennifer

**About the event / what to expect:** Join us for a relaxed guided nature walk through one of the beautiful green areas near Leuven. This is a calm and social walk where everyone can enjoy nature and connect with others. We will also discuss small nature observations and stories along the way. You can expect a mix of walking, discovering, and informal conversation. Looking forward to enjoying nature together! **What to bring:** \- Comfortable walking shoes \- Water \- Weather\-appropriate clothing \(rain jacket if needed\) \- Curiosity 🙂 **Meeting point:** For this walk, we will do the Eikenwandeling route: https://www.alltrails.com/nl-nl/wandelpad/belgium/flemish-brabant/eikenwandeling We will meet at the starting point of the route: Heverlee Arboretum. The walk is easy to moderate and suitable for people with normal walking fitness. We will walk 5,5 km. **About the Volunteer:** Hi, I’m Violetta. I work in IT and I also guide walks in nature as a volunteer. I enjoy walking, astronomy, and reflective conversations. I look forward to sharing a walk where people can slow down, explore, and feel a little more at home in nature around Leuven.

**Once a month** (on the last Saturday), **we meet to paint/draw together in pleasant company ☺️✏️🎨** Your skill level is not important, only your desire. **Please note that *this is not a lesson*, it is a meeting where everyone paints what they want, how they want, with what materials they want.** If you want a lesson, we have many different ones, you can find them on our website: https://lu.ma/malinamore.studio 🌷 **Participation fee for this event is minimum 5 euros** **(we strive to make this event affordable for everyone ☺️** but if you’d like to support the project, you’re always welcome to donate more) ❤️ **Please pay here:** https://luma.com/tfopndvb **Bring your own materials if you have them, and if not, no worries at all!** **You can borrow studio materials for an extra 5 euros.** We have paper, acrylics, gouache, pencils, colored pencils, and markers. How does it work? * 15min - Introduction * 15min - Tour de Table * 1,5 h - Let's draw and paint ​**Please note: the event will start at 14:00.** **Please, don't be late!** **VERY IMPORTANT:** ✨ Please, move to "Not going" as soon as you know that you can't come anymore! **✨** Follow the Malina More Studio on INSTAGRAM ☺️ [https://www.instagram.com/malinamore.studio/](https://www.instagram.com/malinamore.studio/) 🌷 See you there 💫

Hey Everyone! 👋 **Location:** \- On\-site: INDUSTRIEMUSEUM Minnemeers 10 9000 Gent \- Online: TBA **Practicalities for the evening on Tuesday, May 26th:** \- 18:00: Doors Open\, snacks & drinks \- 19:00: Speaker Talks \- 20:30: Networking & Drinks **Transport:** * **Parking:** Paid parking at Dok Noord * **Arriving by Train:** Minnemeers 10 in Gent is an easy **10 minute walk** from Dampoort Gent Station. **Note:** As this is an invite‑only event, you may be asked to show your calendar invite upon arrival. **Welcome to edition 15 of the Generative AI Belgium Meetup! 🚀** This time, we look at how AI is changing the Way We Work. For a long time, work was built around a simple exchange: time for money. You showed up, spent hours on tasks, and value was measured by effort, output, and expertise. Generative AI is starting to question that model. AI agents are no longer just tools for writing better emails. They are entering workflows, taking over tasks, writing code, coordinating information, and becoming part of how teams operate. Tools like Claude Cowork & Microsoft Copilot are already omnipresent in our daily work and expectations to use them are rising quickly. At the same time, robotics is making the story physical again. Machines are not only thinking with us behind a screen. They are starting to move through factories, labs, hospitals, warehouses, and most importantly homes. This raises a new question: what happens when AI becomes both a colleague in your browser and a body in the room? In this edition, we are inviting: * Startups building the tools, agents, and workflows that make this future happen * Researchers exploring human-machine interfaces and robotics * A broader discussion on what a “union of the future” could look like when work is shared between people, software agents, and machines Let's see what meaningful work, when intelligence becomes abundant. Join us on May 26th! **Line-up:** \- TBA \- TBA \- TBA Big thanks to Stad Gent for hosting us and to our sponsors: In The Pocket, BruCON, Red Hat, Collibra, Plainsight & Volta Ventures for supporting the community.

## Candle Making Night at The Arcane Foundry \| Design Your Own Custom Candle **SPECIAL PROMOTION**: Buy 3 and get 1 Free! Step into The Arcane Foundry and create your own custom candle from start to finish. This is a laid back, hands-on experience where **you’ll blend fragrances, choose your vessel, and pour your own candle using 100% soy wax**. Whether you’re coming solo or with friends, it’s designed to be simple, creative, and a good time. We’ll walk you through the entire process, from picking your scents to choosing between a traditional cotton wick or a crackling wood wick. You can go with one fragrance or mix your own blend to create something completely unique**. No experience needed**, just show up and we’ll handle the rest. While your candle sets, feel free to hang out, play a game, explore the shop, or just relax and talk. Drinks and snacks are available, and the atmosphere leans into the **fantasy**, **dark academia**, and **gothic horror** vibe The Arcane Foundry is known for. Learn More: [Candle Making in Columbus, Ohio at The Arcane Foundry](https://thearcanefoundry.com/candle-making/) *** ### What to Expect: * Guided candle making experience * Choose your own vessel, wax, wick, and fragrance * 100% soy wax candles * Optional drinks and snacks * Time to relax while your candle cools *** ### Important Notes: * Please arrive on time so we can start together * Candles will need time to set before taking home * This is a beginner-friendly event *** ### RSVP Required Reserve your spot on Meetup to lock in your seat. **Candle Making** (includes vessel, your choice of wick, wax, scented oil, labels and lids) 5oz Glass Jars $15 8oz Candle Tins $25 12oz Glass Candles $35 12oz Amber Jars $40 16 oz Skull or Jack o Lantern Candle Mugs $65 (Limited Edition!) **All materials included. You just bring yourself (and your drink of choice).** **Payments accepted:** * Credit Card * Venmo: @Daclaud-Lee * Cashapp: $DaclaudL

Let’s meet and wander the galleries! General admission on Sundays is free.

**TBA**

**Let’s kick off our very first CBUS Maker Meetup!** Whether you are looking to carve out dedicated creative time, wanting to get a lingering project across the finish line, or just looking to chat with fellow local makers—this is the space for you. 🧵 **What to Bring** Bring any art or craft project you are currently working on, as long as it is portable and quiet. Think: * **Yarn & Thread:** Knitting, crochet, embroidery, cross-stitch, hand-sewing, mending. * **Paper & Sketching:** Sketchbooks, adult coloring books, watercolors, bullet journaling. * **Digital:** Tablets, iPad drawing, laptop writing/design. * *Please note: Because we are meeting in a shared public space, no power tools, sewing machines, or high-odor materials (like strong solvents or spray glues), please!* **📍 Where to Find Us** * We will be meeting at **Columbus Metropolitan Library - Karl Road Branch** in **Meeting Room 1**. Room is reserved under **CBUS Maker Meetup.** **⏱️ Timeline** * **1:00 PM:** Arrive, grab a seat, get settled, and do a quick round of introductions so we can see what everyone is working on. * **1:15 PM - 3:00 PM:** Open maker time! Chat, craft, relax, and swap creative ideas. **⚠️ A Note on RSVPs** Space for this first meetup is strictly limited to 10 spots. If your plans change and you can no longer attend, please update your RSVP to "Not Going" as soon as possible so someone on the waitlist can grab your spot. We ask that you try to give at least 48 hours' notice if you need to cancel. *** **We can't wait to meet you and see what you're making! All skill levels welcome.**

**TBA**

**History** The [Franklin Park Conservatory](https://www.fpconservatory.org/)’s roots trace back to 1852 when the Franklin County Agricultural Society purchased 88 acres of land to host the Ohio State Fair. After the fair moved to its permanent home, the city of Columbus transformed the grounds into Franklin Park in 1884. This transition shifted the space from a temporary event site to a dedicated public green space for the growing community. The park became a central hub for outdoor recreation and early civic gatherings in the neighborhood. In 1895, the landmark Victorian-style Palm House opened its doors, drawing heavy inspiration from the Glass Palace of the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. This iron and glass structure became an immediate icon, housing exotic plants that residents would otherwise never see in the Midwest. It remains the oldest part of the facility and serves as a primary link to the conservatory’s 19th-century origins. For decades, it stood as a singular testament to grand horticultural architecture in Central Ohio. A major turning point arrived in 1992 when Columbus hosted AmeriFlora '92, an international horticultural exhibition. This massive event prompted a $16 million renovation and expansion, adding significantly more greenhouse space and the Dorothy M. Davis Showhouse. The festival put the conservatory on the international map and fundamentally changed its scale and ambition. Following the event, the facility transitioned from a city-run park to a private, non-profit organization. In 2003, the conservatory’s identity was further defined through a long-term partnership with world-renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly. After a successful exhibition, the Friends of the Conservatory purchased most of the glass installations, creating the largest permanent collection of Chihuly’s work in a botanical setting. These vibrant glass sculptures are now woven throughout the biomes, blending art with nature. This addition helped cement the conservatory as a premier cultural destination rather than just a botanical garden. Recent years have seen the site expand beyond the glass walls to emphasize community engagement and outdoor education. The 2018 opening of the Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation Children’s Garden added two acres of interactive landscape designed for hands-on learning. The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company Community Garden Campus also provides local residents with space to grow their own food and learn sustainable practices. Today, the conservatory balances its historic Victorian charm with modern commitments to local ecology and the Columbus community. **Maps of the Conservatory** Here is the [main map](https://www.fpconservatory.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/franklin-park-zones-scaled.jpg) of the Conservatory grounds. Here's a [map of the areas](https://www.fpconservatory.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/ConstructionMap-2026.jpg) in which the Conservatory has ongoing construction (see below). **Summary** For this event, we'll explore Columbus's highly-rated and very popular Conservatory. As mentioned above, the Conservatory is doing renovations on parts of the facility. These renovations are scheduled to be ongoing until the Fall of next year. Basically, no matter when you go to the Conservatory over the next 18 months, you're going to see some metaphorical orange barrels. So let's just go now. **Tickets and pricing** On the first Sunday of every month, the Conservatory is free for residents of Franklin County and the city of Columbus. You must bring an ID to receive this discount. (Yes, they do check.) Otherwise, tickets are $25.20. Members of the Columbus Zoo (of which I am one) do get a discount on tickets, though I have never actually bought a ticket to the Conservatory (I've always gone on free days). I believe the discount is $4. Parking is always free. If you have additional questions about pricing or whether and for what you qualify, you can reach the Conservatory at 614-715-8000. **Where we'll meet** We will meet just outside the main entrance. I guarantee there's going to be a line. The Conservatory is always popular on free days, and especially in nice weather. **Your GPS is stupid!** Be careful simply typing "Franklin Park Conservatory" in your GPS and going where it tells you. The only way to access the parking lot to the Conservatory is off of Broad Street. Unfortunately, since Google Maps is unable to find its way out of a wet paper bag, it has a tendency to want to take people to a mythical, non-existent Conservatory entrance on Nelson Road. If your GPS does this, just drive to the north side of the Conservatory along Broad Street. Your GPS should then redirect you to the main Conservatory entrance. If your GPS doesn't, then throw your phone away\* and look for the big Conservatory sign on the south side of Broad Street between Nelson Road and Franklin Park West. You also should be able to use the map pin I've provided, below, and it should properly direct you to where you need to drive. \* Don't really do this. **After the event** After stopping to smell the roses, for those that are interested, we'll head to the nearby [Columbus Brewing Company Beer Hall](https://columbusbrewing.com/location/beer-hall/) for [drinks](https://columbusbrewing.com/location/beer-hall/#draft-list) and [lunch](https://columbusbrewing.com/location/beer-hall/#food-menu). The Beer Hall's actual address is [200 Kelton Ave, Columbus, OH 43205](https://www.google.com/maps/place/200+Kelton+Ave,+Columbus,+OH+43205/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x883889a94ac4acad:0xadb2e60240dbc38b?sa=X&ved=1t:242&ictx=111) (it's literally just on the south side of the Conservatory). Be sure this is where your GPS is taking you when you use it, as the Brewing Company has a taproom on Harrison Avenue that is *not* what you want for this event. We should be at the Beer Hall by 1 if you can't make the Conservatory and just want to join us for drinks.