Frogs Invade Mounts Botanical Garden In a Most Delightful Way

By GERRY and PAMELA BARKER
North Palm Beach Life
Published January 11, 2020

WEST PALM BEACH_Mounts Botanical Garden has been taken over by giant frogs -- but not to worry. These are some of the friendliest, five-to-seven-foot frogs you'll ever meet.

North Carolina artist J.A. "Andy" Cobb has brought his collection of 23 copper frog sculptures to Mounts, where "Ribbit the Exhibit" will run through May 31. Cobb was on hand to talk about his work at a special media preview. After two decades in the corporate world, he made the leap to art and hasn't looked back. His copper sculptures of fish, birds and frogs have been widely viewed in numerous exhibitions around the country.

His works are placed throughout the gardens, inviting visitors to experience areas they may not previously have seen. Each frog has its own name, and its own story, courtesy of Cobb. Let's take a stroll and see what these frogs are up to ...

This "Diana the Huntress," who won Olympic bronze in 2012. She pretty good at balancing, too!

TOP PHOTO: Andy Cobb with "Axel Grimm,"
​ the Frog with the Golden Ball

Photos by North Palm Beach Life

RIBBIT THE EXHIBIT
January 11-May 31, 2020
Mounts Botanical Garden
531 N. Military Trail
West Palm Beach

"Skully -- The Scuba Frog"

When we asked Cobb which ones were his favorites, he said these two: "Edward the Tree Frog," left and "Willie Fisher." 

"Ribbit" never sounded better as Cobb honors jazz greats Trombone Shorty, Miles Davis and Charlie Parker

"Jacques Emile Blanchet" -- the artist frog. 

"Trevor" is keeping the hedges tidy. Cobb told us he came up with the names and back stories for his frog
creations in a single night.

"Emerson" -- the coffee-drinking frog

"Floyd and Grace" -- aka Fred and Ginger. We love your dancing -- just don't step on the plants!

"Lenard - the Watering Frog"

"Marvin" is earning his keep mowing

"Bentley and his trained tortoise"

Left: Andy Cobb poses with "Cora, the Gardening Frog," who grew up in a small Nebraska town. Above is "Zenny, the Meditating Frog." Zenny is in the right place for tranquil ponderings. 

One of joys Cobb derives from his work is making people smile. Judging from the reactions of those who previewed the exhibit, he saw a lot to make him happy. Spend some time with his frogs and you'll be smiling, too.