Milner Gardens and Woodland has always been a special place to observe the beauty of nature and now there is some magic and mystery along its forest trails that is sure to please everyone in the family.
There are some creatures residing in the woodland and some of them are so clever you may have to look twice to spot them.
The new forest friends were created by the Mid Island Floral Art Club (MIFAC) and have been placed throughout the trails in a presentation entitled Faces of the Forest.
Using only natural objects, artists from the MIFAC have designed several pieces that have been placed along the pathways that wind through the Qualicum Beach property.
Not only do they celebrate nature, the pieces also demonstrate how to turn simple pieces of wood and flora into awe inspiring art work.
Laurene Ebbett, one of the program co-ordinators of MIFAC, said it is a real outside-the-box project they have undertaken and hopefully it will turn out to be an annual event.
Catherine Van Beveren, who is also one of the program co-ordinators, used sea kelp in her piece and said it turned out to be a rather smelly project.
“I had sea kelp in the garage for a few days and when I went to get it I couldn’t believe the smell,” she said laughing.
There were a lot of laughs and many oohs and ahs from a small group of the contributing artists as they walked the path to see the creative pieces of work on display.
Barb Cubbitt said her piece she named “Guardian Angel of the Forest” took her about two days to make and included a lot of trial and error.
“I am pleased with how she turned out. She looks out over everything in the forest,” said Cubbitt.
The public is invited to wander through the trails and try to spot the faces before they see you throughout the month of October.
Shoulder season rates apply Thursday Oct. 6 through Monday, Oct. 10. Entrance to the Milner Gardens is by donation on Sunday Oct. 16, Oct. 23 and Oct. 30.
Throughout the month there will also be local artists painting and sketching the faces they see hidden in the forest.
Cindy Mawle is scheduled for Oct. 9; Pauline Pike Oct. 16, Ceciele van Woensel Oct. 23 and Peggy Burkosky Oct. 30.
Some two dozen pieces of tree art will be maintained by members of the MIFAC during the exhibition and the public is asked to please look but don’t touch.
For those who find inspiration from the pieces you may want to consider creating your own floral masterpiece.
The Mid Island Floral Art Club was established in 1996 and has been flourishing ever since. Members meet regularly to enjoy presentations by professional floral art designers, participate in club workshops, and share their interest in flowers.
Meetings are held at 2 p.m. at St. Stephen’s Church Hall, in Qualicum Beach, on the second Thursday of most months. For more information on the club visit www.mifac.jigsy.com.
Milner Gardens and Woodland is located at 2179 West Island Highway in Qualicum Beach. For reservations and information call 250-752-6153.
reporter@pqbnews.com