The North Carolin Arboretum Exhibitions program is excited for the return of Making Scents: The Art and Passion of Fragrance®. Blending flora, fashion and science, this interactive exhibit showcases some of Mother Nature’s most fragrant botanicals. Making Scents offers a unique, innovative experience where visitors discover the plants and flowers behind some of the world’s most iconic perfumes. Visitors can enjoy a full sensory journey and explore the mysterious power of the sense of smell while learning about the unique artistry and science behind the fragrance industry.
Recreated and curated by The North Carolina Arboretum, Making Scents is designed to inspire and educate visitors about the storied history and evocative power of scent. From traditional harvest and extraction methods to chemical combinations of synthetic fragrances, this exhibit uncovers the technical processes behind fragrance creation through an immersive, multisensory experience. Visitors follow their noses around the globe by interacting with 10 different scent-seeking stations, each containing their own mystery scent and story. Art, passion and craft are brought together inside the exhibit’s iconic bottle display, which showcases the unique designs of more than 200 perfume bottles, some dating back to ancient Greece and Rome. By integrating horticulture, history and pop culture, Making Scents will enlighten the senses and engage the minds of visitors about fragrance and the living world in a fun, dynamic way.