LISSA ALEXANDER
reporter@pqbnews.com
Enjoy an inspiring and relaxing weekend among artists with Milner Garden’s Art and Photography in the Garden event.
This year there are 26 local artists who will be painting, sketching, carving, and photographing Aug. 9 and 10, the most artists the event has ever seen.
“We had a really good number of applicants and there was a great number of quality artists—we’re happy to make some more room,” said executive director at Milner Gardens, Geoff Ball.
The long-running event attracts so many artists because it’s a beautiful setting and visitors to the garden’s thoroughly enjoy seeing them work, Ball said.
Artists this year include Dan Gray, Eunmi Conacher, Randy Hall, Michael and Els Schutte and Greg Swainson.
There will be live music performed by local musicians from noon to 4 p.m. each day and there will be a silent auction with art donated by the attending artists. Proceeds from the auction will support programs at the gardens.
The Mid Island Floral Arts Club will have intriguing surprises around the gardens and the Vancouver Island University Visual Arts Program will have The Enchanted Steampunk Gnome Village up for people to observe.
The tearoom will be open early, at 11 a.m. for visitors to enjoy tea, scones and other delights.
Art & Photography in the Garden runs 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. Weekend admission for the event is $11 for adults and $6.50 for students. Members and children are free.
The gardens sits on 70-acres and are home to an old-growth Douglas fir forest and an estate garden featuring native and non-native plans, including more than 400 rhododendron specimens.
