At W.L. Seaton secondary school, students in art teacher Simon Challen’s classes have been busy applying colourful paint to long rolls of canvas.
Across town, at Day-Break Adult Day Centre, senior clients have also been busy with brushes, paints and canvas.
It’s all part of the Gateby Community Garden project, where raised garden beds have been built to allow Gateby Care Centre residents and Day-Break clients the chance to get their hands into the soil.
“There is lots under way here with the garden and we have been filling the boxes and planting them,” said Roberta Dunlop, recreation therapy worker at Gateby in downtown Vernon. “It’s all part of improving the quality of life for our residents and clients.”
When Dunlop approached Seaton art teacher Simon Challen about getting his students involved by painting a dozen large format banners to decorate the garden, he jumped at the chance.
“It’s just a great way to be involved in the community,” he said. “A lot of what we do is very contained so this is a great way to reach out.”
With rolls of canvas donated by Meridian Mapping Ltd. in Coldstream, students and seniors let their imaginations take over, painting large colourful flowers, birds and anything that will complement the garden area.
“The banners should last for years and will provide a bright and beautiful backdrop in our garden,” said Dunlop. “This is such an amazing collaborative effort to get this garden going — it is very inspiring.”
The Gateby Community Garden will celebrate its grand opening June 18 at 1:15 p.m. to thank community sponsors as well as garden volunteers and student artists. There will be music in the air and refreshments served, with a ribbon cutting to officially open the garden.
