The 2019 UT Gardens Gala honored longtime University supporter Alan Solomon, his garden, and his expansive conifer connection.
God’s Answer To Our Prayers (GATOP) is the private garden of Solomon, a retired Knoxville oncologist who is known nationally for his pioneering work on the treatment of amyloid-related diseases. While he built his career in medicine, he found his true passion working with the land.
In 2018, a film crew captured just a snapshot of Solomon’s life story, including where the name of his garden originates. The following is the full award-winning documentary: The Accidental Stone Mason.
The Conifer Connection
GATOP is home not only to Solomon’s extensive stone work, it also houses one of the largest collections of conifers in the Southeast. Solomon has opened his garden to the public and the University of Tennessee throughout the years. The 2019 UT Gardens Gala was themed “Conifers and Cocktails” in celebration of Solomon’s collection.
The following video was shown as part of the evening’s celebration.
