What started as an intimate outdoor art exhibition amongst a few friends has blossomed into the Garden Art Trail.
Gardening and art enthusiasts will be able to take in the brilliance of daylilies in bloom, artists at work, and paintings and sculptures that blend into the landscape at the Vernon event on Saturday.
Stemming three years ago from the Art in the Garden, the original exhibition held on the property of local artist Mike Jell has incorporated two other locations, BX Creek Daylilies and the Caetani Cultural Centre.
“We are a group of artists who like to work together and decided that we would be stronger if we worked with other arts events,” said Art in the Garden participant Angelika Jaeger, who will show her sculptural wire bird nests and abstracts.
“Last year the Caetani Art Market was happening at the same time as our event, so we directed people to the Caetani house,” she added. “This year we thought if there’s a bunch of events happening at the same time, it’s better to connect them and work together.”
A short drive, bike ride or walk between the locations, the Garden Art Trail will offer more for visitors to see and do.
“This year we have a variety of artists and mediums,” said Jaeger.
Joining Jell and Jaeger in the Art in the Garden is Cherryville painter Gary Whitley, known for his representational landscapes and florals, and metal sculptor Doug Alcock, who says he is working on a signature piece for the show.
Joining the group this year is painter/sculptor Chris Malmkvist whose home studio and gallery is located at Carr’s Landing, and David Walker, a raku artist out of Revelstoke.
“I’m excited about this one because of the artists we have. Each offers a different type of art,” said Jell, who will show some of his landscapes and wildlife paintings.
Down the road at BX Creek Daylilies, Gail and Allen Morgan will welcome visitors to their unique garden, featuring more than 900 varieties of daylilies with the possibility of a few artists showing their work on the grounds.
“We’ve had people sit and draw or paint at our gardens before. It’s the perfect spot for it,” said Allen.
The Caetani Cultural Centre will offer a different perspective with its resident and member artists opening their studios and showing their work on the historic property. The event will be similar to past Art Markets, said Caetani centre executive director Judy Katalinic.
“Our member artists are invited to set up booths and there will be music and face painting,” she added.
Those taking the trail, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 21, can visit the Caetani Cultural Centre at 3401 Pleasant Valley Rd., Art in the Garden at 1701-46th Ave., and BX Creek Daylilies at 4617 Pleasant Valley Rd.
