The Berkshire Botanical Garden celebrates at Searles Castle

A human-sized white rabbit greeted guests to Searles Castle, in Great Barrington, on Saturday evening, July 2. The pouring rain did not seem to affect his fur as he ushered guests into the home of artist Hunt Slonem for Berkshire Botanical Gardens’ 2022 Fête des Fleurs. This year’s summer fundraising event saw a sold-out crowd of 200 guests, who “slipped down the rabbit hole” to enjoy hors d’oeuvres, sip a signature cocktail, and tour the circa 1880s French chateau-style home. Slonem, a friend of the Garden whose work was exhibited at the Stockbridge site this spring in “Hunt Country,” often uses bunnies, butterflies, and tropical birds as the subjects of his paintings. Gala guests paid homage to his work through their attire, donning tropical and animal prints, fake fur and, of course, fascinating hats adorned with flowers and stuffed toy bunnies in bright colors.

Before the auction and paddle raise, Berkshire Botanical Garden Executive Director Thaddeus Thompson spoke of the BBG’s overarching theme this season, “symbiosis.” This “art of living together” perfectly encapsulates the Garden’s staff, trustees, and more than 700 active volunteers, he said, as well as epitomizes the link between the Garden and host Slonem’s artwork: “the joyful appreciation of nature.” The more than $91,000 raised from the event will be used to support the Garden's mission, its education program and the care of the garden itself.