Larger-than-life frog sculptures exhibit set for Morton Arboretum

There will be plenty of whimsy on display this summer at the Morton Arboretum when “Ribbit! The Exhibit” debuts. The exhibit, featuring 23 five-to-seven-foot tall copper frog sculptures, will run April 8 through Sept. 25 at the Lisle site.

The statues, depicting frogs in a variety of activities, are the work of North Carolina-based sculptor J.A. Cobb, who fashions his work from sheets of copper around steel armatures. Affectionately referred to as the “Frog Man,” his copper frog art sculptures have resided in public gardens across the U.S. Each of the frogs in the Arboretum exhibit comes complete with informational placards detailing the amphibian creatures’ relationship to trees and their environment. Frog-themed programming, special events and classes will also be featured throughout the exhibit’s run.

“Every year, our visitors are enamored by frogs at the Arboretum – from the tadpoles in our Children’s Garden to the musical croaking of the chorus frogs and spring peepers that can be heard throughout the Arboretum during the spring months – so we think ‘Ribbit! The Exhibit’ will be a great addition to our spring and summer schedule,” said Anamari Dorgan, director of education at the Arboretum, in a prepared statement.

The exhibit is free with general admission to the Arboretum. For complete information, visit mortonarb.org.