Kingsville, MO –  Fortopia opens to the public at Powell Gardens, Kansas City’s Botanical Garden. This playful outdoor exhibition, comprised of eight awe-inspiring forts, encourages outdoor discovery and adventure. The eight fort designs were hand selected by a jury comprised of educators, architects, horticulturists, and fabricators. Designed to inspire an appreciation of the natural landscape, Powell Gardens is excited for visitors to experience Fortopia’s beauty through the variety of creative perspectives represented in the chosen forts. This year’s fort designers include preschool children, artists, landscape designers, architects, and more. Fortopia runs May 26 – October 16.

“Of all the exhibitions I have had the pleasure of supporting, Fortopia is the most playful,” said Cambria Floyd, Exhibitions Manager at Powell Gardens. “The eight designers behind these forts have creatively captured how forts not only bring about the nostalgia of play but foster epic exploration. What they have dreamed up in their designs and A to Z Theatrical Supply and Service accomplished in the fabrication, is the transformation of a grassy lawn into a launch pad for imagination. From pirate ships to labyrinths to portals, visitors of all ages can play, climb, and enjoy the garden as a place of discovery.”

Learn More About the 2022 Forts:

Petal Post

Designed by Jennings + Santa-Rita Architects

Petal Post is built upon the idea that even the simplest structures can evoke the universal memory of childhood fort building using common household items.

Portal

Designed by Brandon Kirmer

As one travels through Portal, they will experience the transformation of different materials, starting with a “blanket” fort and moving into a log fort, as if venturing off to a different land.

Cover/Uncover

Designed by James Walls & Kristopher Dabner of The Greensman

Drawing inspiration from the large Corten steel sculptures of artist, Richard Serra, the winding paths and high walls of Cover/Uncover encourages explorers to appreciate the landscape in new exciting ways.

Skully the Pirate Ship

Designed by enthusiastic preschool children of UMKC Berkley’s Zoo Room

Skully the Pirate Ship transforms an open grassy lawn into a sea to be traversed by a ship using found and reclaimed materials, and a little imagination. “We need a huge rock that we can find to make the monster’s head,” said one student. “And paint it a little bit blue and a little bit red so you know it is mad.”

The Lucky Woodland Find: Morel Fort

Designed by UMKC’s Early Childhood Education Team

Inspired by feedback from over 100 early childhood education professionals, The Lucky Woodland Find: Morel Fort evokes nostalgia for childhoods spent exploring nature and playing in forts.

Nature’s Colors

Designed by Patricia Bordallo Dibildox

Using their textile artist skills, the designer uses inspiration from colors found in plants and how they can transform over time to naturally dye the fabric from which Nature’s Colors takes shape.

GEOCAMO HIDEAWAY

Designed by Carter Floyd

GEOCAMO HIDEAWAY nods playfully toward occasionally sardonic ideas regarding minimalism, nature, and camouflage in contemporary art as well as within the general zeitgeist.

Reflection Fort

Designed by Gould Evans

Reflection Fort serves as a catalyst for the imagination of children, and to inspire the rekindling of this ability in adults, ensuring participation of each visitor regardless of physical ability.

With Fortopia’s 124 day run, visitors are encouraged to visit several times to experience the forts in a different light throughout the changing seasons. While hours and ticket pricing may vary (Festival of Butterflies runs July 21 – August 7), please check the website at powellgardens.org/fortopia for the most up-to-date information. Happy exploring!

Exhibition Date: May 26 – October 16, 2022

2022 Hours of Operation

DATE RANGE WEEKLY SCHEDULE HOURS

March 9 - May 29, 2022 Wednesday-Sunday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

May 30 Monday Memorial Day | 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

May 31 - July 17, 2022 Tuesday-Sunday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

July 4, 2022 Monday Independence Day | 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

July 21 - August 7, 2022 Daily 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.

August 9 - September 4, 2022 Tuesday-Sunday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

September 5, 2022 Monday Labor Day | 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

September 7 - October 16, 2022 Wednesday-Sunday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Location: POWELL GARDENS

Kansas City’s Botanical Garden

1609 N.W. U.S. Highway 50 | Kingsville, MO 64061

Fortopia admission

Click here for more information