About
Soul of the Stone is listed for Chicago this weekend.
Soul of the Stone places five large sculptures from Zimbabwe’s Shona tradition among the colors and fragrances of the Sensory Garden rather than in a conventional gallery. Go for the direct interplay of stone and planting, then use the installation as an introduction to a citywide exhibition shared by five Chicago institutions.
What to expect
Reserve your entry ahead, then make the Sensory Garden your first stop. Move slowly around the five larger sculptures and pay attention to how the stone changes against the beds’ colors and fragrances; that setting is the point of this installation. If you only have a short visit, focus on those five works. For a fuller conservatory day, continue through the indoor gardens afterward. Choose Wednesday if you need the longest visiting window, and remember that the final entry is earlier than closing time on every open day.
Good to know
- The Conservatory is open Wednesday 10 a.m.–8 p.m. and Thursday through Sunday 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; it is closed Monday and Tuesday.
- Ticketed entry is required, advance reservations are strongly recommended, and walk-ins are admitted only when capacity permits.
- Chicago residents enter free with a city ZIP code and proof of address; nonresident admission is $10 for adults and $5 for seniors, students, and children ages 7–17.
- Free visitor parking is available south of the entrance, and the Green Line Conservatory station is across Lake Street.
- The Conservatory is wheelchair accessible except for the Fern Room, and a limited number of wheelchairs are available first come, first served.
Also in Pilsen, West Town & the West Side
Common questions
What is Soul of the Stone about?
The exhibition explores the Shona stone-sculpture tradition of Zimbabwe and its connections among ancestry, stone, and the spiritual world.
Where are the sculptures inside the Conservatory?
Five of the exhibition’s larger sculptures are installed among the Sensory Garden beds.
What are the Conservatory’s hours?
It is open Wednesday 10 a.m.–8 p.m. and Thursday through Sunday 10 a.m.–5 p.m., with earlier final-entry times.
Do I need an advance reservation?
Ticketed entry is required, and advance reservations are strongly recommended, although walk-ins are accepted when capacity allows.
How much does admission cost?
Chicago residents enter free with a city ZIP code and proof of address; nonresident adults pay $10, while eligible seniors, students, and children ages 7–17 pay $5.