Garden_party

Jeff Green | Jul 23, 2009

Mid-July is about the peak time for gardens. The summer flowers are in full bloom and the varied colours and leaf shapes of ornamental shrubs and grasses are also fully developed.

The Arden Artisans: Sarah Hale of Arden Batik, Joanne Pickett of Arden Pottery, and Judith Versavel of the Gallery on the Bay, have decided to hold a garden party on Saturday July 25 to show off their town, their gardens, and maybe sell a bit of their work as well.

“Arden is particularly beautiful at this time of year,” said Sarah Hale in talking about the event, “and last year was the first time we had a little garden party. This year we've got a number of things going on in town, and our studios will be open from 10 – 5 as well.”

The artisans will also be hosting guests. Artist Carol Pepper will be showing paintings and garden book author Janette Haase will be on hand with her latest book, “From Seed to Table”.

In addition to the studios, the Arden firefighters are holding a BBQ at the fire hall to benefit the department, beginning at 11am. The Kennebec Historical Society will be holding an open house to show off their renovated office and meeting room at the Kennebec Hall.

Weather permitting, artists from the area will be spending the day sketching and painting around the village.

At 3:00pm in the hall, Adrian O’Connell will be presenting a historical concert featuring songs from Canada's past, including songs from colonial days, the American Civil War, the Irish famine and the western expansion.

“It is really a chance for people to enjoy Arden; to go for a walk, a swim at the beach, have lunch, enjoy the flowers, enjoy the day,” said Sarah Hale.

To bring the garden party theme to the forefront, the Artisans are encouraging people to wear some kind of fancy summer hat. Whoever wears a hat will not only be making a fashion statement, they will be able to enter a draw at each studio for a piece of work by one of the artisans.

Judith Versavel is a landscape and portrait painter who works in acrylic and watercolour. She also creates jewelry. Joanne Pickett is a long-time potter who makes clay garden sculptures as well as well loved functional pieces for the table. Sarah Hale is a renowned landscape batik artist. She also has cards and name cards available.

For further information about the Arden Garden Party, phone Sarah at 613-335-2073.