Author Jim Charlier:
The exhibition “Artists and Gardens” is presented in celebration of the uniting of Garden Walk Buffalo and the National Garden Festival. The exhibition is comprised art created for, and inspired by, the two organizations. The new organization, now named Garden Walk Buffalo Niagara (GWBN), reflects its new, regional, garden tourism focus.
Kicking off the garden tourism season in Buffalo Niagara, “Artists and Gardens” has its opening party this Friday, June 5, 6-9 p.m. during Allentown’s gallery walk, known as “First Fridays.” The exhibition runs from June 5-27 at Studio Hart, at 65 Allen Street, Buffalo.
Many of the works in the exhibit were created during the (former) National Garden Festival’s Open Gardens event in July of 2014. The “Artists in the Gardens” series last year had artists working in select city gardens – while garden tourists were present – during Open Garden hours.
Along with the Open Gardens artworks, original art from Garden Walk Buffalo posters from past years will be on display.
Many artworks, as well as prints of the posters, will be available for purchase. In addition, signed copies of this year’s poster, created by Linda Hall, will be available for purchase.
This year’s Open Gardens features 90+ gardens to visit on Thursdays and Fridays, for select hours, during the month of July – throughout Erie and Niagara counties – not just in the city of Buffalo. Open Gardens has become a fun girlfriends outing, and a great way to get garden inspiration and ideas. The gardens are beautiful – many not on any other area garden tours – there are no crowds, no frenetic pace, and the gardeners are available if you want to ask questions.
For information on GWBN’s 2015 Open Gardens, visit www.GardenWalkBuffaloNiagara.com. There you can find where the GWBN Open Garden & Garden Event Guide is available at retail locations, and see lists of Open Gardens and their hours.
2014 Open Garden Artists include:
Rita Argen Auerbach
David Butler
Doreen DeBoth
Mark Lavatelli
Nathan Deganis Librera
Polly Little
Gerald Mead
Linda Swanekamp
Carol Case Siracuse
Garden Walk Buffalo Poster Original Art by:
Barb Ernst
Anne Gareis
Eileen Graetz
Linda Hall
Dana Jenkins
Carol Case Siracuse
Susan Webb Tregay
Diann Zinteck
Don Zinteck
Images: Rita Argen Auerbach, Untitled, 2014, watercolor. Created during Open Gardens in a garden on North Pearl Street. Artist Doreen DeBoth works while garden visitors stroll about the “Eight Paths” garden on Baynes Street. Artist Carol Siracuse works while garden visitors stroll about the “Eight Paths” garden on Baynes Street. Dana Jenkins, High Summer on Little Summer, 2013, watercolor. Used for 2004 Garden Walk Buffalo poster. The 2015 Garden Walk Buffalo poster. Illustration by Linda Hall.