ORIGAMI IN THE GARDEN: New Traveling Exhibit Unfolds at ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden

ABQ BioPark welcomes ORIGAMI IN THE GARDEN, a traveling exhibition on view at the Botanic Garden from October 8, 2026 through March 28, 2027. 

Created by Santa Fe artists Jennifer and Kevin Box, this exhibit features stunning, large-scale metal sculptures inspired by the delicate art of origami. 

“Guests will encounter artworks inspired by cranes, horses, butterflies and other wildlife,” said ABQ BioPark Associate Director Matthew Peterson. “This is the BioPark’s first traveling exhibition of this kind, so we’re incredibly excited for guests to experience this renowned artwork complemented by the serene setting of the Botanic Garden.”  

Guests can enjoy 14 outdoor sculptures and four indoor works, each modeled from a paper origami artwork. They range from a tiny mouse measuring just seven inches to “Hero’s Horse”, a towering white Pegasus that stands more than 12 feet tall and weighs 1,350 pounds.

“This is a great example of art and nature coming together to create a new experience for our community,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “These sculptures are a must-see while they are here at the Botanic Garden.” 

Using the techniques of lost-wax casting and fabrication, the sculptures in this exhibit elevate the precision of origami in high-quality metals. The exhibit features Box’s own compositions as well as collaborations with world-renowned origami artists Tim Armijo, Te Jui Fu, Beth Johnson, Michael G. LaFosse, and Robert J. Lang.

“We are extremely honored to have this exhibit on display, practically in our own backyard! This year we celebrate 20 years of marriage and living and creating in New Mexico. Thank you to ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden for the opportunity to show folks from the state and beyond our life’s work,” said artists Jennifer and Kevin Box in a joint statement.

Jennifer and Kevin created ORIGAMI IN THE GARDEN in 2013. The first traveling exhibition opened at the Santa Fe Botanical Garden in 2014, and it has been experienced by over 3 million visitors in gardens and museums throughout the United States ever since. 

A permanent Origami in the Garden sculpture garden can also be found seasonally in Cerrillos, New Mexico at the artists’ private sculpture garden, Box Studio Sculpture Garden.

ORIGAMI IN THE GARDEN at ABQ BioPark is presented in part by:

• JoAnne Evans & Patricia Hart 
• Catherine Oppenheimer

MEDIA: Photos are available.