In its ninth year, Nanoose Bay Art in the Garden will feature more than 90 artisans Saturday and Sunday, June 24 and 24 — more than ever before.
The annual event takes place on the small family farm of Mike and Lesley Seselja, who’ve invited both artisans and the public to enjoy the garden and trout pond over the years, with entry donations and other proceeds going towards the Nanoose Community Services (NCS) charity. NCS provides grocery gift cards, emergency funds for shelter, support for students and Christmas gifts for families and seniors in need.
So far, the event has raised more than $26,000 for NCS, said Lesley Seselja. She hopes that this year can bump their total donation to $30,000.
Since the first event, which had about 35 artisans, Nanoose Bay Art in the Garden has continued to grow, she said. “We keep making the yard and hay field bigger for people, but I think we’ll be maxed out at 90.”
Artisans taking part will feature sculptures in stone, pottery, paintings, soap, fibre art, glass work and more, all set to live music.
New this year is a feature of a young artisan, invited to show their work for free. Seselja also noted that long-time Nanoose Bay Art in the Garden participant, wood carver Gibson Abbott (known as the Heron Guy) is attending for the last time before retiring at 94 years old.
“Every year he sells out,” said Seselja. “He does hand-carved cedar herons.”
While the event continues to grow in size, so have the costs for running it, Seselja said. That’s why this year, the entrance fee is $5, instead of by donation as in the past.
The event has been well attended over the years, with about 2,000 people visiting over the two-day event in the past, said Seselja. That’s made parking difficult, but this year Natural Gift Farms is offering parking. It’s located just north of Northwest Bay Road on Claudet Road, on one side of Claudet Park.
People can then walk through Claudet Park to Nanoose Bay Art in the Garden, located at 2525 Northwest Bay Rd.
There will also be parking at Nanoose Bay Elementary School and a shuttle to and from Art in the Garden for $2 round trip per person.
Nanoose Bay Art in the Garden runs Saturday and Sunday, June 23 and 24 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more info, go to www.nanoosebayartinthegarden.com.