MANSFIELD – A whole new type of greenery is gracing the grounds of Kingwood Center Gardens.
Camouflaged among the flowers, visitors can find an army of frogs on display in various poses. One can be found walking a dog, while another tends to the trees. A three-piece band entertains visitors along the long terrace. Four tiny ballerinas dance along a brick wall.
All of these frogs are part of a new attraction at Kingwood called “Ribbit the Exhibit,” a traveling collection of 18 larger-than-life frog sculptures made specifically for display in public gardens and botanical centers. The exhibit will be on display at Kingwood from Aug. 5 through Oct. 1.
Ribbit comes from the imagination of J.A. Cobb of North Carolina, who decided to pursue art for the first time after 20 years in the corporate world. According to Kingwood’s Visitor Services Manager Holly Williams, the inspiration for the frog sculptures came from a pure intention.
“(Cobb’s) wife got a degree in psychology later in life, and one day discussed the concept where if you even fake a smile, it makes your brain receptors change and it makes you happier,” Williams said. “The thought of how to put smiles on faces brought him to creating these adorable creatures, and for us bringing it here really is to give our community a different look and put smiles on people’s faces.”
This is the second set of Ribbit statues created by Cobb. His first sculptures reflected his love of fishing, then he moved on to birds. The Ribbit sculptures were inspired by Mr. Toad in the book, “The Wind in the Willows.”
There are a total of 18 sculptures with 25 frogs scattered about the grounds of Kingwood, placed in the most aesthetically pleasing environments. Visitors may have the urge to ask for a guide of all the frogs’ locations, but Williams said part of the fun is discovering the exhibits by accident.
“It’s the intent of the artist and of Kingwood that you experience this ‘a-ha’ moment versus hunting them down on a map,” Williams said. “We want you to just experience them.”
Ribbit is the first-ever traveling botanical exhibit to come to Kingwood, as traveling exhibits can be a strain due to financial constrains and labor demands. However, Williams took a chance on the copper-and-steel sculptures to make the community smile, and so far the results have been very promising.
“Ribbit seemed to fit with Kingwood,” Williams said. “It’s very family-oriented, and one of the things I’ve really noticed is a lot of people put their children right next to one of them for a picture, which is so adorable.”
Kingwood is hosting a number of frog-themed events while the Ribbit Exhibit is in town. On Saturday, Aug. 19, the Gardens will host “Froggy Field Day” from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., a free kids event that includes leapfrog races, a frog hop relay and a croak contest. Every Tuesday will be “Toad Tuesday” at the Cultivation Education classes, and every Wednesday guests are invited to hunt down a treasure chest full of prizes.
For Williams, the Ribbit Exhibit is a great educational opportunity for both kids and adults, but also an opportunity for community engagement with the Gardens.
“This year has been a next big step in embracing the community and making them feel welcome,” she said. “It really is there to create a different look and put smiles on your faces.”
