The romantic story that is the basis of the Abkhazi Garden as well as the garden itself is what inspired painter Betsy Tumasonis to complete six acrylic works of the garden in bloom.
Tumasonis majored in visual art at the College of William and Mary in Virginia but put it aside when she became an art and history professor at the University of Victoria in the early 1980s. It wasn’t until she took early retirement in 1999 that she returned to painting.
Although she’s been part of several local shows, the one in the Abkhazi Garden tearoom is her first solo show. The exhibit runs until July 1 in the Garden tearoom, 1964 Fairfield Rd., which is open for lunch, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and for afternoon tea from 2 to 3:30. Admission to the garden is $10.
