NEWS

Photo note:  To download image, see end of release.

CHAPEL HILL -- The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Coker Arboretum is the subject of a new book, "A Haven in the Heart of Chapel Hill: Artists Celebrate the Coker Arboretum," soon on sale locally.

Arboretum curator Daniel Stern, who wrote the book’s text, tells stories of the arboretum’s evolution, describes some of the people who created and nurtured the five-acre garden, and provides cameos on the natural and social history of the site. The arboretum celebrated its centennial in 2003.

Stern’s text is presented as a walking tour along the arboretum’s natural and brick pathways, amid historical photographs and full-color reproductions of prominent arboretum scenes and specimens. Fourteen area photographers and artists contributed to the book.

Book release events will be held at the Chapel Hill Museum on April 17, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., and at the N.C. Botanical Garden’s Totten Center on April 18, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. The author and several of the artists will be on hand to sign purchased copies. In addition, a limited number of special signed editions will be available.

All proceeds from the book will support the Coker Arboretum Endowment, a fund created to ensure the continued care of the garden.

"The interplay of art, photographs and text works in such a way that someone reading the book in a place distant from the arboretum will feel as though she’s had her own personal walking tour," said editor Sandra Brooks-Mathers.

The 32-page book will be on sale at the N.C. Botanical Garden, which manages the Coker Arboretum, and several bookstores. The retail price (including tax) is $26.70; members of the N.C. Botanical Garden may purchase a copy for $24.05. Shipping and handling fees apply for mail orders.

The N.C. Botanical Garden is located in Chapel Hill on the U.S. 15-501 Bypass (Fordham Boulevard) and Old Mason Farm Road. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Through Oct. 30, the garden is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays. Admission is free.

Coker Arboretum’s main entrance is off Cameron Avenue on the UNC campus.

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Photo note: An image of "Incense Cedar and Japanese Maple," by Sally Sutton, one of the works of art in "A Haven in the Heart of Chapel Hill," is available by clicking on http://www.unc.edu/news/pics/obj/incense_cedar.jpg 

N.C. Botanical Garden contact: Daniel Stern, (919) 962-0522

News Services contact: Deb Saine, (919) 962-8415 or deborah_saine@unc.edu