100 life-size elephant sculptures march through Beverly Gardens Park from July 1 to August 1, inspiring conservation and community engagement
Great Elephant Migration Art Installation (Courtesy City of Beverly Hills)Ontario, California (Times Media Service) – Marching through Ontario, many motorist sighted these live size pachyderms on the I-15 freeway. The Great Elephant Migration Art Installation will debut in Beverly Hills this summer as 100 life-size elephant sculptures line Beverly Gardens Park, inviting visitors to explore art, culture, and wildlife conservation in one unforgettable journey. The exhibit welcomes families from the Inland Empire and beyond to experience this free public display from July 1 to August 1, 2025.
Exhibit Arrives in Beverly Hills
The Great Elephant Migration exhibit spans four blocks of Beverly Gardens Park along Santa Monica Boulevard, between Rodeo Drive and Rexford Drive. Opening July 1 and running through August 1, the installation is free and open daily from 7 AM to 10 PM. Each elephant is an anatomically precise steel-rebar frame wrapped in dried lantana camara, an invasive plant repurposed to spotlight conservation. The exhibit marks the culmination of a 5,000-mile cross-country journey that began in Newport, Rhode Island, last summer. Visitors can stroll among calves, adolescents, matriarchs, and tuskers—each modeled on real elephants and handcrafted by artisans from India’s Nilgiri Hills.
Artistry and Conservation Message
Crafted by 200 Indigenous artisans of The Real Elephant Collective, the sculptures transform invasive lantana camara into breathtaking art, turning an ecological challenge into creative opportunity. “The elephants embody the story of coexistence—of wildlife and humanity—and inspire action for migratory species everywhere,” say co-founders Ruth Ganesh and Fiona Humphrey. Funds raised through donations and merchandise sales support global conservation projects protecting elephants, jaguars, and other migratory animals. The installation travels through unceded traditional territories, acknowledging the Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands span this journey. By engaging art, storytelling, and cultural collaboration, the project amplifies Indigenous knowledge and promotes wildlife corridors worldwide.
Community Events and Blanket Ceremony
On June 27, Beverly Hills will host “Wrapped in History,” unveiling ceremonial blankets curated by designer Vikram Goyal. Each textile draws on South Asian, Indigenous North American, and diasporic traditions, transforming statues into living rituals of protection and belonging. Following the ceremony at The Wallis Annenberg Center, blankets will be auctioned online, with proceeds funding conservation NGOs across multiple continents. Throughout the exhibit, an on-site management team and volunteers will offer guided insights into each sculpture’s story and ecological significance. Local schools and youth groups are invited for special tours and hands-on workshops emphasizing art as a force for environmental stewardship.
Impact on Inland Empire Residents
Though hosted in Beverly Hills, the exhibit offers a unique summer excursion for Inland Empire families seeking enriching, educational outings. With metered parking available along Park Way and nearby structures, a day trip is simple and accessible to IE commuters. Local community centers may organize group visits, encouraging regional pride and support for conservation causes. The show’s free admission and evening hours accommodate working parents and school-age children looking for safe, open-air activities. This large-scale public art event complements Inland Empire’s growing cultural scene, inspiring local artists and environmental advocates alike.
How to Visit and Participate
Address: Beverly Gardens Park, 9439 Santa Monica Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Hours: Daily from 7 AM to 10 PM, July 1 – August 1, 2025; free entry for all ages.
Parking: Metered along Park Way; additional nearby public structures.
Contact and Donations: Visit thegreatelephantmigration.org or email gem@elephantfamilyusa.org to learn how to support and volunteer.
Share photos with @greatelephantmigration and @communitylifebh to join the global conservation conversation.
Lisa Davis / Culture Contributor (Times Media Service)
Lisa has been active in the art and entertainment scene for decades, with a history of curating numerous exhibitions across the country
ldavis@timesmediaservice.com
