Note: All events are open to the public. To purchase tickets, call Garvan Woodland Gardens at (501) 262-9300 or (800) 366-4664. Members of the press may attend free of charge.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. —The formal debut of the Anthony Chapel complex at Garvan Woodland Gardens, the University of Arkansas’ botanical garden in Hot Springs, has long been anticipated. The $5.5 million project, which broke ground in September 2004, will be officially dedicated in a series of events and a special ceremony on Saturday, Sept. 30.

UA Chancellor John White said, “This weekend, we will dedicate a new architectural landmark in the state that will inspire and delight generations to come. We are proud that U of A alumni designed the chapel, and grateful to the families whose support made the project a reality. The Anthony Chapel complex will reinforce Garvan Woodland Gardens' reputation as a botanical resource."

Bob Bledsoe, the Gardens’ interim executive director, shares White’s enthusiasm, believing the chapel will be a major attraction for the 210-acre botanical garden.

“We think the Anthony Chapel will catch the attention of people from across the United States,” he said. He notes that the chapel has already gained popularity with brides-to-be since the first wedding was held in May. Garvan Gardens has booked more than 83 weddings in the elegant wood, glass, and stone chapel through September 2007.

“Considering the many chapels our firm has designed around the country, the Anthony Chapel is the finest structure we have created to date,” said architect Maurice Jennings, who along with David McKee designed the chapel that soars an impressive 57 feet into a canopy of trees overlooking the scenic shoreline of Lake Hamilton. Jennings and former partner McKee worked together in the Fayetteville firm founded by the late Fay Jones, an internationally recognized architect who was an alumnus and the first dean of the UA School of Architecture. Jones designed the much acclaimed Thorncrown Chapel in Eureka Springs, Ark., which the American Institute of Architects recently recognized with the 2006 Twenty-five Year Award, given to architectural design that has stood the test of time.

“The Anthony Chapel is a stunning facility that we expect will become a statewide landmark, a valued public resource, and an architectural treasure,” said Jeff Shannon, dean of the School of Architecture.

In addition to the Anthony Chapel, the five-structure complex also houses private changing quarters for the bride and groom. When not being utilized by wedding attendants, the 1,560-square-foot Millsap Bride’s Hall will provide the gardens with much-needed meeting space and will contain a full kitchen to accommodate catering needs. The 1,000-square-foot Evans Groom’s Quarters will provide space for the ceremony officiant and an office for the onsite wedding supervisor.

The complex features a celebration garden complete with a masonry-arched bridge designed by resident landscape architect and garden director, Bob Byers, and nationally known Japanese garden designer, David Slawson of Cleveland, Ohio. The garden serves as an exquisite landscaped link between the bride’s hall and chapel. The Anthony Carillon, a 59-foot octagonal bell tower comprising sixteen copper-clad columns, completes the complex. The bells will be programmed to play every hour on the hour when the gardens are open, as well as communicate chapel events as it chimes throughout the gardens.

Construction of the multimillion dollar complex was funded entirely by private donations with Garvan Woodland Gardens supporters John Ed and Isabel Anthony being the first to step forward to support construction of the chapel that bears their name. The Anthony’s $1 million gift, announced in December 2003, was the catalyst in attracting sizeable donations from several other Hot Springs residents, including Leon and Betty Millsap, Bob and Sunny Evans, Carol and Dick Pratt, Cecil and Gwen Cupp, Martha Hixson Tillman, and the Garland and Flora Anthony Trust.

The Anthony Chapel Complex dedication celebration will kick off with a 6 p.m. reception on Friday, Sept. 29. Saturday activities begin at 10 a.m. with a tour of the 160-seat chapel and its accompanying structures. Architects Jennings and McKee, along with representatives from general contractor Baldwin & Shell of Little Rock will serve as guides, sharing with guests their personal insights into the design and construction of the complex.

Following the tour, guests will proceed to the chapel, where University of Arkansas dignitaries B. Alan Sugg, president of the University of Arkansas System, and John A. White, chancellor of the University of Arkansas, will acknowledge the vision and generosity of the chapel’s primary donors. At the conclusion of the ceremony, commemorative gifts will be presented to the benefactors. At noon, a festive luncheon will be served on the tent-covered Ellen Edmondson Great Lawn, giving guests a repast before the afternoon event — a unique opportunity for couples to renew their wedding vows in a recommitment ceremony in the beautiful Evans Celebration Garden. Vice Chancellor of University Advancement G. David Gearhart will be the featured presenter at the luncheon that will spotlight the chapel’s major donors and acknowledge their philanthropy. The celebration will conclude with a 2 p.m. concert in the Anthony Chapel by soprano Deleen Davidson, who will be accompanied by local musicians.

Local Hot Springs businesswoman Verna Cook Garvan donated Garvan Woodland Gardens to the University of Arkansas in 1985. Upon her death in 1993, the university took over management and development of the property, which offers internship opportunities for college students desiring hands-on experience in their chosen fields of study. Located on 4.5 miles of Lake Hamilton shoreline, the gardens feature more than 128 species of ornamental and native shrubs and wild flowers, 160 different types of azaleas, a four-acre Asian garden with a 12-foot waterfall, four unique bridges, and a sandstone pavilion designed by Jones and Jennings. One of only eight woodland botanical gardens in the country, Garvan Woodland Gardens’ Asian garden, the Garden of the Pine Wind, has been recognized by Japanese Gardening magazine as one of the 25 highest ranked Japanese gardens in North America out of more than 300 listed facilities.

 For more information on Garvan Woodland Gardens, including directions to the site, visit http://www.garvangardens.org.