Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, widely known as the final resting place of entertainment legends like Walt Disney, Nat King Cole, and Elizabeth Taylor, serves as much more than just a cemetery. The sprawling grounds house a world-class art museum featuring some of the largest religious paintings in the world and one of the most extensive collections of full-scale Michelangelo replicas globally, offering visitors a completely free cultural experience in Los Angeles County.
The Forest Lawn Museum currently showcases "In Bloom: Flowers in Contemporary Art," a special exhibition running through February 15, 2026. James Fishburne, the museum's director and exhibition curator, explains the thoughtful connection between the theme and setting. "Partly because it's beautiful and it's worth contemplating beauty, and partly because flowers are a huge part of the culture of a memorial park. So it's nice to be able to reflect on that in a museum in this setting," Fishburne told reporters.
This isn't your typical floral art exhibition. The featured works push creative boundaries, bringing flowers into three-dimensional spaces with extraordinary craftsmanship. Artist Tiffanie Turner creates paper flowers standing 2½ feet tall, supersized recreations that require months of meticulous work to complete. "The level of anatomical detail is absolutely remarkable," Fishburne noted, describing Turner's painstaking process.
The exhibition features works from artists primarily based in Southern California, showcasing diverse interpretations of floral themes. Visitors can explore intricate floral arrangements preserved in resin, detailed pen and ink drawings, and other innovative artistic interpretations. One notable piece, "You Are the Source" by Simonette David Jackson from 2023, demonstrates the contemporary approach artists are taking to traditional botanical subjects.
Fishburne, who holds a Ph.D. in Italian Renaissance art history, initially came to Forest Lawn because of its remarkable collection of Michelangelo replicas. However, he has found great satisfaction in curating the museum's rotating exhibitions, which typically feature at least two special shows annually. "I'm just constantly getting to discover new people and showcase their work and sort of play with these really exciting themes. And every day is sort of a new adventure," he explained.
The concept of using cemeteries as cultural gathering spaces has gained traction throughout Southern California, with venues like Hollywood Forever and Verdugo Hills Cemetery in Sunland-Tujunga also serving dual purposes. Fishburne enthusiastically supports this trend, noting the unique opportunity it provides. "With Southern California having such incredible landscapes, it's a great way to be both outside and experience art and remember the past at the same time," he said.
The Forest Lawn Museum operates Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with both admission and parking completely free of charge. Located at 1712 S. Glendale Ave. in Glendale, the museum represents an accessible cultural resource for art enthusiasts and casual visitors alike, combining the contemplative atmosphere of a memorial park with serious artistic programming that rivals traditional museums throughout the region.
