Executive Director, Arlington Garden in Pasadena (2017-2024)
PUSD field guide, illustrated by Margaret Gallagher. (2021). Made possible by a grant from the Pasadena Community Foundation.
A Deep Mapping Intensive researches and interweaves ecological soil science with socio-cultural histories of place. Deep Mapping is an intensive workshop and an immersive experience into local land and landscape. Led by soil ecologist, Nance Klehm.
Autumn in the Garden, (2019) with Aaron Shaw, Carlos Nino. Curated by Frosty of Dublab. Photo by Erin Shimazu.
Wild life nature journal, awarded a highly competitive grant by the Pasadena Tournament of Roses, May 2024. Design by Schessa Garbutt.
Deep Mapping, (2024). Photo by Isabel Avila.
Metal trellis by Ray Cirino, (2010). Photo by Michelle Matthews.
Pasadena Weekly, (2017).
Visitor Kiosk, made possible by a grant from the Pasadena Community Foundation. Artwork by Deer Brush Design https://www.deerbrushdesign.com/
Mia Doi Todd, Autumn in the Garden. (2022). Photo by Erin Shimazu.
Updated educational signage (2022).
Native Plant Garden before and after. The area was designed by Theodore Payne Foundation Director of Horticulture, Tim Becker.
|
Installation of fountain prior to broken concrete hardscaping (2008). Photo by Michelle Matthews
Entryway gate (2023) by James Naish. Photo by Scott Oshima.
Octavia's Solstice envisioned and curated by Schessa Garbutt and hosted by Arlington Garden, June 22, 2024.
"Instead of a Freeway, We Built a Garden" — Michelle Matthews 
LA Compost, installed (2017), and the first publicly accessible compost bin in the City of Pasadena. Photo by Isabel Avila.
2019 Autumn in the Garden by Cha Rie Tang of Pasadena Craftsman Tile.
15th Anniversary poster by Margaret Gallagher, (2020). "Instead of a Freeway, We Built a Garden."
Updated map and signage made possible by a grant from the Pasadena Community Foundation (2019).
PUSD 5th grade tour March 27, 2024. Made possible by a generous grant from the Harold and Colene Brown Family Foundation.
Oak Gathering Table Matthews had fabricated from a Coast Live Oak that died along Arlington Drive. The milling was donated by Angel City Lumber. Completed September 4, 2024. Unfortunately, the table was burnt in a shed fire May of 2025.
I also engaged leading experts—including arborists Rebecca Latta, Nick Mook, and Tree Care LA, who conducted a structural pruning workshop—as well as entomologists, soil scientists, to train staff and deepen expertise across disciplines.
Mother's Day Portraits with Las Fotos Project.
|
Michelle Matthews with Intersectional Environmentalist, Leah Thomas at Autumn in the Garden (2023). Photo by Erin Shimazu.
Autumn in the Garden awards (2024) by James Naish.
Horticultural Guide, made possible by a grant from the Stanley Smith Horticultural Foundation (2023). Illustrated by Emma Rose Fryer.
Installation of berms and swales, (2008). Photo by Michelle Matthews
2022 Annual Report, by Design Simple.
L.A. Times Plants, Illustration by Micael Nunez.
Shipping container office proposal and concept (2018).
Creative Urban Ecology Center Proposal, 1000 Pasadena Ave. (2019).
Broken Concrete seating area in partnership with Outward Bound Adventures Environmental Restoration Team, Chris Martinez and Levi Brewster.
Monument sign installed at the corner of Pasadena Ave & Arlington Drive (2021).
When Matthews first started at the garden in 2017, there was no electricity or potable water. This refillable water station was installed in 2022.
|