Art in Summerland Ornamental Gardens
For the second time this summer, local art will be showcased at the historic Summerland Ornamental Gardens. Artists from Summerland will gather on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. to introduce you to their work — quilting, painting, photography and etchings to name just a few.
“We planted the seed during our first event in July with six local artists joining us in the gardens,” said Friends of the Gardens Society chair Bonnie Fulton.
“We received very positive feedback from those who attended and hope they return in August with more artists who want the perfect backdrop to showcase their talents.
“We also encourage everyone to take a self guided tour of the gardens while they are here.”
The Friends of the Gardens Society, now in its 26th year as a society and as stewards of this 15 acre historic garden, have created a new guide to show you how to navigate your way through its distinct areas — such as the butterfly, Xeriscape and traditional plantings. There are also great areas for viewing the Kettle Valley Railway’s Trout Creek Bridge and if you time it right you’ll see the famous 3716 steam locomotive as it rumbles onto the historic steel girder structure engineered by Andrew McCulloch which was completed in 1913.
“Our community marked the Centennial of the gardens last year. Established by the Dominion Experimental Farm in 1916 – it was known far and wide by our pioneers as the “go to” place for plant advice during the Okanagan’s agricultural birth and as a place for celebratory family gatherings and picnics” said Fulton.
The Friends of the Gardens want to see that tradition continue by maintaining this amazing resource, offering education and water wise practises and programs and by creating events like Art in the Gardens.
“We want to bring Okanagan and visiting families up to the gardens to create new memories and enjoy a place where if you put your phones down and embrace your surroundings and the people you’re with - time can stand still," Fulton said.
For more information contact Fulton at 250-487-8604 or friends.summerlandgardens@gmail.com