In All Its Beauty
June 11 Park Hill Garden Walk To Feature 19 Local Artists. For Many, Nature Is A Clear Inspiration For Their Work
by Micki Amick
Park Hill Garden Walk Organizer
Nature clearly and magnificently inspires the gardeners of the Sunday, June 11 Park Hill Garden Walk. Eight gardens, including three in the Mayfair neighborhood, will be featured at this year’s event, with 19 artists displaying their creations.
For most of these artists, nature is their inspiration, as is sharing their work with the public in garden settings.
“Flowers, foliage, and fauna bring me peace and happiness, and I see this as well in many of the people who come through the Garden Walk,” says Jennifer Ghormley, whose bright woodcut printed works feature Colorado themes. “It is the perfect venue to connect with new people, talk about and share my artwork.”
Artist Vanessa Martin says participating in the Garden Walk is a natural for her to showcase her botanical artwork. Her pieces fuse art and science in a contemporary update of the established tradition of botanical illustration.
And Tanis Bula, recognized for her delicate watercolor closeups of flowers, loves to paint flowers that reveal the delicate colors and shapes that make each flower remarkable, she says.
Artists at work
Nature is at the heart of Rebekah Robinson’s deep dive into themes of both water and vegetation, and in Jenny Goring’s intricate and multi-layered collage paintings constructed from a wide array of ephemera and handmade papers. Nature, particularly animals in natural environments, is the centerpiece of Tiffany Russell Miller’s award-winning meticulous wildlife paper constructions.
A number of participating gardeners this year are also artists, and will display their own work in their gardens. Attendees will find Mark Wren’s impressive sculpture in his garden. Nearby, the recycled glass flower and window creations of Deb Scott and Lynn Knowles will be on display in Scott’s garden. And along with her gardening prowess, Starr Tucker-Ortega will display her abstract photography.
Participating artists work in a variety of mediums, and many will create work or provide demonstrations on site, all with work for sale. Terrie Lombardi will paint her lively floral oils inspired by the garden; Amy Martin will offer demonstrations of her painting and pastel work; Tracy Wall will likely be found painting one of her contemporary works. Attendees may catch Rebecca Richardson folding one of her origami creations, Keri Deixler working on one of her richly-colored paintings or pastels, and Kate Maley developing one of her delicate watercolors of the day’s garden.
Setting the scene
Various sculptors are integrated in this year’s gardens. Jean Smith’s ceramic sculptures evoke the Mid-Century Modern era as she is inspired by Alexander Calder and Joan Miro. “The Garden Walk opens some of the beautiful gardens for everyone to enjoy, and including artists offers the idea of enhancing personal gardens with creative artwork and sculptures,” she says.
Longtime Garden Walk artist James Dixon says “I am inspired by the way art compels a higher thinker within me.” He brings many of his sculptures every year. ”I really enjoy seeing my metal sculpture planted within a botanic setting.”
Charlotte and Ben Zink create spritely metal sculptures that range in size from public works to those that can live on a mantel. “Garden tours are really my favorite setting to share our smaller works,” Charlotte Zink says. “In a well-loved garden, they really shine.”
Garden Walk attendees may encounter this year’s artists or their works at other venues around the city and state including art fairs, galleries, art shows and holiday markets. Most of the artists also offer classes and private instruction. Check the artists’ websites in the sidebar for more information, and where you can find other exhibitions of their work.
2023 Garden Walk Artists
• Tanis Bula, Watercolor: tanisbula.com
• Keri Deixler, Watercolor: thefrenchflat.com
• James Dixon, Metal Sculpture: jacbart.com
• Jenny Goring, Mixed Media Collage-Paintings: jennygoring.com
• Jennifer Ghormley, Woodblock Original Prints and Home Goods: jengstudios.com, jengstudios.etsy.com
• Terrie Lombardi, Oil: terrielombardi.com
• Kate Maley, Watercolor: Instagram @cmmaley
• Amy Martin, Pastel, Watercolor, Woodblock Prints: facebook.com@yoginidoctor
• Vanessa Martin, Botanic Prints: VanessaMartinsArtStudio.com
• Rebecca Richardson, Paper Art, Origami Flowers: richardson1821@comcast.net
• Rebekah Robinson, Water Lilies and Floral Paintings: rebekahrobinson-art.com, rebekahrobinson.com
• Tiffany Miller Russell, Wildlife and Nature-Inspired Cut Paper Sculpture: wildlifeinpaper.com
• Deb Scott and Lynn Knowles, Recycled Glass Flowers and Window Creations: Instagram @looking_glass_windows
• Jean Smith, Ceramic Sculptor: jeanbsmith.com, Instagram @jeanbsmith13
• Starr Tucker-Ortega, Abstract Photography: artbystarr.com, Instagram @starr.tuckerortega
• Tracy Wall, Mixed Media Paintings: TracyWall.com
• Mark Wren, Sculpture: mark@wrenart.net
• Charlotte Zink, Steel and Clay Sculpture: zinkmetalart.com, facebook.com/zinkmetalart, instagram@charlottemaryzink
The Fine Print
Where And How To Get Your Tickets
The 23rd Annual Park Hill Garden Walk is Sunday, June 11 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Cost is $15 for general tickets and $12 for seniors age 65+. Children under 12 attend for free. Once you buy your tickets you will receive a map of all of the featured gardens, and set your own pace for the day.
There are a number of ways to get your tickets, which are available now. Use the QR code at right for a fast purchase.
You can also buy tickets now at the following Park Hill establishments:
• City Floral: 1440 Kearney St.
• Spinelli’s Market: 4621 E. 23rd Ave.
• Cake Crumbs: 2216 Kearney St.
• Park Hill Library: 4705 Montview Blvd.
• Park Hill Art Festival on June 3 and 4 @ Montview and Dexter St.
You can also buy tickets online at parkhillgardenwalk.org. They will be available for pickup the day of the event at 19th Avenue and Forest Parkway between 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Simply walk, ride, or drive up, have your proof of purchase ready to show the Garden Walk volunteer and your ticket will be waiting for you.
Tickets will also be available the day of the event via Venmo for $20 at any Garden Walk location. Look for the signs around the neighborhood on the day of for the eight featured gardens.
The Park Hill Garden Walk is a fundraiser that benefits Greater Park Hill Community, Inc., a volunteer-based registered neighborhood organization that promotes the character and vibrancy of Park Hill through its resources, information and advocacy. Learn more and get involved at greaterparkhill.org.