FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Dr. Robert D. Bledsoe has been appointed executive director for Garvan Woodland Gardens, the University of Arkansas School of Architecture’s botanical garden in Hot Springs, Ark. Bledsoe has served as interim director for Garvan Gardens since a nationwide search for a new executive director was suspended last spring.

“After looking at qualified applicants throughout the United States, we believe that we have the best man for the job right here at home,” said Jeff Shannon, dean of the School of Architecture.

Bledsoe has raised more than $10 million since he joined Garvan Gardens as director of development in 2002. Under his leadership the Gardens recently completed and dedicated the Anthony Chapel complex, a $5.5 million project entirely funded by private donations. Bledsoe received his Doctor of Ministry and master's degree in divinity and worked as a licensed real estate broker in Hot Springs before joining the Gardens staff.

“I look forward to leading Garvan Woodland Gardens during this time of growth,” Bledsoe said. “With personnel such as garden director Bob Byers, marketing director Marla Crider and all of the other exceptional staff members who contribute so much, I am confident that we will continue to build our reputation as a national botanical resource.”

New developments at the Gardens include construction of a stonework/waterfall complex for the Evans Children’s Garden. David Slawson, a nationally renowned Japanese garden designer, will design a bonsai house for plant maintenance, workshops, and educational sessions in the Weyerhaeuser Bonsai Garden. Work is also moving forward on the Stella Boyle Smith rose garden designed by P. Allen Smith, the television host, writer and professional garden designer. Future initiatives include a multilevel tree house for the Evans Children’s Garden and expansion of the Gardens’ welcome center to facilitate conferences, workshops and other educational programming.

The Garvan Woodland Gardens holiday display uses more than 1 million lights to create dozens of displays like this winter palace.

Attendance has doubled to 104,000 since the Gardens opened in 2002, and figures for 2006 are currently showing a 20 percent increase over 2005. Garden staffers expect a record 36,000 visitors to the annual holiday lights show, which will open to the public on Saturday, Nov. 18.

Verna Cook Garvan donated the 210-acre Garvan Woodland Gardens to the School of Architecture in 1985. Located on 4.5 miles of Lake Hamilton shoreline, the Gardens feature more than 1,600 species of ornamental and native shrubs and wild flowers including 160 different types of azaleas, a four-acre Asian garden with a 12-foot waterfall designed by David Slawson, four unique bridges and a sandstone pavilion designed by Fay Jones and Maurice Jennings. The recently completed Anthony Chapel, designed by Maurice Jennings and David McKee, offers serene space for weddings and other life events. For more information on Garvan Woodland Gardens, including maps and directions to the site, visit http://www.garvangardens.org/.