LISSA ALEXANDER
reporter@pqbnews.com
Artists from around the area will be scattered throughout Milner Gardens and Woodland this weekend displaying and making all types of art.
It’s the annual Art and Photography in the Garden with 21 artists, live music, food and refreshments, all situated around the spectacular garden overlooking the ocean.
“We ask artists to try and be working within their media,” said executive director at the gardens, Geoff Ball. “And when they start to use the garden as their subject it’s always interesting to see the garden through the artists’ eyes.”
The event runs Aug 10 and Aug 11 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Ball said former owner of the grounds, Veronica Milner, was an artist and designed the garden with an artistic eye. The event is a link between her love of art and the magical feeling people get when they watch artists using the garden, Ball said.
This year, beyond all the exquisite corners of the garden people have come to love, they can also visit the new reflective pond, formerly a pool at the site behind the pool house gift shop.
“It’s a whole new feature within the garden, it has its own artistic aspect to it,” said Ball.
The Mid Island Floral Arts Club exhibits popular displays at the event and that group will be taking advantage of that new area, Ball explained, with their live and previously living, floral art.
The tea room will be open early at 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., serving soup and scones, and there will be hot dogs available outside.
Live music will run from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the event this year and will include Eric Harper, Fred Saliani, and the McShane sisters.
There will be various artistic mediums for people to peruse, including painting, photography, pottery, mixed media, jewelry and more. Some of the artists people can expect are acrylic artist Nana Cook, pastel artist Dan Gray, Els Schutte and her Masai and Native figures and Jessey LaFontaine working on her hand-painted gourds.
Regular admission prices are in effect, $11 for an adult, $6.50 for students and 12 and under are free.
For more information visit www.viu.ca/milnergardens.