It seems we’re in for a heat wave and I’m worried about keeping the garden watered so that it looks good for visitors on July 19th. This is only the second time Art in the Garden has been held here in the Tri-Cities, the first one was two years ago. As there was no ArtWalk in April this year I decided to offer my garden as a venue to display art instead. Members of TriCity Potters have been invited to be the artists featured in my garden. They will bring special garden-related ceramic pieces and arrange them on the lawn, amongst the flowers or hanging from a tree for this one-day event. I’m told we shall have a delightful grouping of whimsical miniature houses, bird-baths, planters, vases, birds, bees and flowers, all made of clay. Along with weeding, dead-heading and watering I plan to load and fire my kiln next week so that I can add to the display with some more bird-feeders. I started some new jugbirds this week but now realize that there’s no way I can assemble, paint and dry them before Sunday’s bisque firing. But I have several jugbirds and vases on hand. It’s going to be such a fun day with my pottery friends here to show their work to the garden visitors.

I have never considered myself a gardener but having lived in this 100 year-old house since 1971 I see that almost everything growing in our quite large ‘yard’ has been planted by me. Perennials and shrubs have survived our rain and some cold winters and the removal of a large dark cedar hedge in front of the house has provided a sunny area to fill with colourful flowers on each side of the fence. Just now the hollyhocks are revelling in the sunshine.

If you plan to take part in Art in the Garden I suggest you start at Port Moody Arts Centre, two blocks away from our house, enjoy the day-long free Art and Garden Fair there and buy your tour ticket. If you can form a group of eight or more the price is $15 instead of $20. The whole event is a fund-raiser for the Arts Centre, except for purchases from any of the participating artists. When you buy your ticket you will be given a map, addresses and a list of artists in each garden. Expect to drive around Port Moody, Coquitlam, Anmore and Belcarra and at each of the ten gardens a volunteer will ask to see your ticket.

Alan and I and my pottery friends look forward to a sunny day to welcome you and show you the garden and our clay art.