May 19 Speaker Series: From Temporary to Transformational

May 19, 2026, 7:30pm
Luther Burbank Art and Garden Center, 2050 Yulupa Ave, Santa Rosa

Zoom link to this presentation: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89417879695

Leveraging Exhibitions for Lasting Garden Growth, Presented by: Jeannie Perales, Executive Director, Sonoma Botanical Garden

Abstract: Featured on the fall 2025 cover of APGA’s Public Garden Magazine, Sonoma Botanical Garden has spent the past two years using temporary exhibitions as catalysts for lasting improvements to the visitor and horticultural experience, and living collections. This session explores how exhibitions and public programs can spark long-term growth and meaningful change. Enjoy an overview of the newly expanded California Native Demonstration Garden- designed in collaboration with Ruth Bancroft Garden – developed in advance of the opening of Spirit Guides. Learn about SBG’s newly launched guide on the Bloomberg Connects app, which interprets both the California Native Garden and Spirit Guides, and enjoy the freshly printed Native Plants & Natural Wonders brochure.

Bio: For over 25 years, Jeannie Perales has been designing and implementing informal visitor-centric engagement at art museums and public gardens. She began her career at The Denver Art Museum where she worked with a talented team of educators interpreting objects and creating meaningful experiences for museumgoers centered on the collections and communities. At the Ringling Museum, she managed the docent and youth and family volunteer programs surrounding the Ringling’s unique narrative and legacy of the legendary circus king, John Ringling, his home, and collections. For more than a decade, Jeannie was with Selby Gardens where she designed and delivered a vast array of programming from education to exhibitions, interpretation, and volunteers. While at Selby Gardens, she oversaw a gardens-wide interpretation, way-finding, and theming project including the design and implementation of interpretation and programming for The Ann Goldstein Children’s Rainforest Garden. This re-interpretation places at the center gardens guests of all ages serving the changing face of public gardens nationwide. She was instrumental in the implementation of an art and horticultural blockbuster exhibition program. Ms. Perales served as Chief Experience Officer at The Bay Park Conservancy designing public programs, directing marketing and communications, building a volunteer program, and furthering the Friends of The Bay and Founding Business Partners membership programs. As Associate Director of Development and Campaign Planning at The Ringling Museum, she was charged with determining institutional priorities to inform a $150,000,000 comprehensive campaign to preserve, protect, and celebrate The Ringling’s next 100 years of excellence in arts and cultural programming. As Executive Director of Sonoma Botanical Garden, Jeannie was engaged to lead the organization into its future by implementing the museum model through a robust program of arts and nature exhibitions and related public programs.

Ms. Perales has been involved in strategic planning; master site planning as well as becoming a Smithsonian Affiliate institution and achieving re-accreditation by the American Alliance of Museums. She is a co-author of a guidebook about Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. Jeannie holds undergraduate degrees in Communications and Cultural Anthropology and a master’s degree in educational psychology as well as a K-6 teaching certificate. Ms. Perales’ skill is in feeding information to the public in digestible bites through informal programs working with content specialists to design engaging experiences for visitors. She lives in Glen Ellen, CA with her photographer husband, Daniel Perales, their two above-average children, Kique, and Luci, a dog called Amigo, and a horse called Bernie.

Milo Baker Chapter General Meetings and Speaker Series are held on the third Tuesday of each month (except for July, August, and December) at 7:30p.m. Meetings are held at the Luther Burbank Art and Garden Center, 2050 Yulupa Ave, Santa Rosa, or via Zoom.