All Photos By Gail
One of the most joyful surprises awaiting visitors to the New York Botanical Garden’s Flower Power exhibition isn’t growing in the gardens — it’s parked right up front. Covered from bumper to bumper in vibrant flowers, psychedelic lettering, and saturated rainbow colors, artist Snoeman’s painted bus immediately transports visitors back to the optimistic spirit of the late 1960s — specifically 1967’s Summer of Love.
Channeling the peace-and-love philosophy that gives the exhibition its name, the bus pays tribute to the hand-painted vehicles that became rolling symbols of the counterculture movement. With its oversized blooms, swirling patterns, and playful typography, the artwork recalls the colorful buses and vans that carried festival-goers to gatherings like Woodstock, where music, creativity, and a hopeful vision for the future came together in unforgettable fashion.
The installation serves as a perfect introduction to the Garden’s seasonal exhibition, which celebrates the enduring influence of the Flower Power movement on art, design, music, and horticulture. Throughout the grounds, visitors will find spectacular floral displays inspired by the era, along with outdoor installations, live music, and programming that explores how the movement’s embrace of nature, creativity, and self-expression continues to inspire generations more than half a century later.
That message aligns perfectly with Snoeman’s own artistic practice. Known throughout New York City for creating large-scale public murals and installations, the artist uses bold color and uplifting imagery to celebrate community, diversity, and local culture. His work transforms ordinary public spaces into joyful experiences, encouraging viewers to pause, smile, and connect with one another.
Positioned against the stately Beaux-Arts façade of the LuEsther T. Mertz Library, the psychedelic bus creates a delightful contrast between classical architecture and 1960s counterculture. It’s an irresistible photo opportunity, but it’s also much more than that. Like the best public art, Snoeman’s Flower Power bus reminds us that optimism can be contagious — and sometimes all it takes is a little color, a few flowers, and a message of peace to brighten someone’s day.
