Drawing in the Grove

Floor 8

For all ages

Join Whitney Educators to pause and make drawings in the grove of the Harrisons’ Survival Piece #5: Portable Orchard. Grab a gallery stool and drawing materials, then observe the trees closely. Immerse yourself in the sights and aromas of the grove, whether you step back to capture the entire orchard or get up close to study a single citrus fruit. 

Portable Orchard is an art installation by Helen Mayer Harrison and Newton Harrison, first designed in 1972. It features an indoor citrus grove with eighteen live trees. The project imagines a future where traditional farming is no longer possible, and people must find new ways to grow food. By placing this grove in a gallery setting, the artists encourage us to look more closely at these trees—just as we would a painting or sculpture. Their art is not just about creating something beautiful; it’s also a call to action, urging us to think about how we will sustain ourselves in a changing world.