Whimsical frog sculptures hopping to Morton Arboretum

The Morton Arboretum will be "hopping" this spring and summer when it presents "Ribbit! The Exhibit," a whimsical collection of larger-than-life copper frog sculptures.

The frogs will be on display from April 9 through Sept. 25 at the woody-plant museum at 4100 Route 53, Lisle.

Handcrafted by North Carolina-based sculptor J.A. Cobb, "Ribbit! The Exhibit" features 19 displays of 5- to 7-foot frogs taking part in a variety of activities, including playing instruments, catching butterflies and meditating on a lily pad.

Displays include the "Tree Frog," who will be nestled in a stately white oak; "Zenny," relaxing on his lily pad in the fountain of the May T. Watts Reading Garden; and the "Jazz Trio," set in the arboretum's Arbor Court, home of the Wednesdays, Woods and Wine outdoor music series.

Each of the frogs in the exhibit will be accompanied by information about their relationship to trees. The exhibit will be supported by frog-themed programming, classes and events throughout its run.

The traveling exhibit arrives at the arboretum following an engagement at Dow Gardens in Midland, Michigan.

"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 addition to entertaining our visitors, 'Ribbit! The Exhibit' offers a chance to learn about the relationship between frogs and the trees that live all around us."

The 23 frog sculptures in the exhibit are hand drawn, cut from sheets of copper, and hammered and folded into the desired shape, much like origami. The pieces are then assembled with a brazing process of solid copper, usually around a steel armature to give the sculpture the strength to last for generations. Lastly, they're finished, either from a chemically forced patina or a colorful pattern coaxed from the metal using heat.

Sculptor J.A. Cobb's unique copper art has attracted crowds at public gardens around the country. He is particularly renowned for his large-scale, fanciful frog sculptures that are displayed in creative ways, both indoors and outdoors. He also produces copper sculptures of birds, fish and other animals. What started as a hobby now keeps Cobb hopping to keep up with demand. Cobb is now often referred to as the "Frog Man" due to the hundreds of whimsical frog sculptures he has built.

"Ribbit! The Exhibit" will be on display during arboretum hours and is free with arboretum admission. For information, visit mortonarb.org.