Artists’ Garden Weekend at FVAC

Karla Dalley of West Hartford's Gledhill Nursery will demonstrate Container Water Gardening on Saturday, June 22 at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

The arts and the outdoors will both come "alive" as Artists’ Garden Weekend returns to the Farmington Valley Arts Center in Avon on Friday through Sunday, June 21-23. This free public celebration entices visitors with a landscape of opportunities to visit with studio artists, exercise creative muscle, meet gardening expert Sydney Eddison, listen to live music, enjoy an outdoor picnic and discover the many facets of this regional Arts Center that is home to 20 resident studio artists, two galleries with works of art on exhibit and for sale, and a School of the Arts for all ages that offers unique opportunities for creative exploration year-round.

The weekend’s festivities begin on Friday from 6-9 p.m., when the public is invited to savor a summer evening and the soft jazz sounds of the Arthur Lipner Group—a trio featuring marimba, string bass and percussion. The Artists’ Garden, two galleries and 20 artists’ studios will be open and in "bloom."

Artists’ Garden Weekend continues on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. each day. Saturday’s schedule of free activities includes gardening workshops and other special events. At 1 p.m., meet author and gardening expert Sydney Eddison, who will present, "The Rainbow Contained." Participants will learn how to experiment with complementary colors in containers to create artful potted arrangements. At 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., a gardening demonstration on "Container Water Gardening" will be presented by Karla Dalley of Gledhill Nursery. Gardening enthusiasts who don’t have space for a water garden will learn tips for creating such a landscape within the confines of a large pot, tub or barrel. At 12:30 p.m., adults can flex their creative muscles at a 30-Minute Creativity Workout and sample this popular program offered by the FVAC on the first Thursday evening of every month. At 3 p.m., Connecticut metal sculptor Bob Keating will present a free talk in the Visitors’ Gallery, followed by a tour of his work on display in the Artists’ Garden.

Sunday will also feature a diverse menu of free events for children and adults. Throughout the day, the Community Clay Garden, Chalk Drawing area and Create-a-Postcard table will be open to all who’d like to try their hand at creative expression. Adults can participate in 30-Minute Creativity Workouts at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. In addition, floral arranging demonstrations will be presented by local florists at noon and 3 p.m. The entire family will enjoy the music of Kevin Briody, Connecticut’s official "State Troubadour," from 1-2:30 p.m. Briody’s songs of life, love and family are the perfect accompaniment to a day spent immersed in the beauty of art and the outdoors.

Throughout the weekend, visitors can stroll the property and discover works of art for sale in artist studios and the Fisher and Visitors’ Galleries. The Visitors’ Gallery will feature the exhibition, "Our Natural Environment," with works by studio artists, faculty and invited regional artists that interpret the theme of our surrounding environment and how it affects us. Fabiola’s will provide food and beverages for purchase Saturday and Sunday for those who would like to enjoy lunch or a snack on the FVAC’s lovely grounds.

All Artists’ Garden Weekend activities are free, and pre-registration is not required. The Farmington Valley Arts Center is located near the intersection of Routes 44 & 10/202 at 25 Arts Center Lane in Avon Park North, Avon. From Route 44, turn onto Ensign Drive, and Arts Center Lane is the second left. Ample free parking is available. For more info call 860-678-1867, ext 150.