Where Flowers Meet Canvas
June 12 Garden Walk Also Highlights Local Artists Working En Plein Air
By Micki Amick
Park Hill Garden Walk Committee Member
The lovely Park Hill gardens on the annual Park Hill Garden Walk are an inspiration not just to those who attend, but also to the local artists whose works are an integral part of the event.
The Garden Walk has long showcased the beautiful, interesting, carefully cultivated and landscaped, and off-the-beaten-track gardens of the neighborhood. Each year, local artists also volunteer to show and sell their work in the gardens, many of them working en plein air.
The artists say they love painting in the gardens and sharing their work with Garden Walk guests. James Dixon, whose organic metal sculptures can be found in Denver’s Kirkland Museum as well as gracing gardens, says he has participated in seven Garden Walks because “the beautiful garden settings absolutely step up my work.” He’ll be showing his work again this year.
Other participating artists work in an array of mediums, many painting or providing demonstrations on site, and all with work for sale. You may find watercolorist Tanis Bula creating one of her close-up flowers or Kate Maley a garden scene, Amy Martin or Tracy Wall may be at work on their contemporary styles, Anne Emmons working on an abstract, and Terrie Lombardi in the middle of a dramatic flower oil painting.
Returning from their Garden Walk debuts last year, Charlotte Zink will add her whimsical metal sculptures to a garden, Jennifer Ghormley will be showing her woodblock printed items, and Kate Kennedy her floral oils. Brandy Bixler works with bright mixed media paintings alongside her husband and collaborator, Luke Lefurge, who exhibits wood cutouts.
Garden Walk attendees will also find some new faces and styles this year, including Rebekah Robinson, whose oil paintings are inspired by quiet moments in nature. Vanessa Martin will show her unusual botanic prints, and Johanna Mueller creates vibrant woodcut prints of animals.
The Park Hill Garden Walk is an annual tradition and fundraiser. This year’s event features eight gardens whose owners open the gates to invite people in to look at and be inspired by their handiwork. This year’s Garden Walk is Saturday, June 12, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Tickets are available now at www.parkhillgardenwalk.org. Advance tickets are $15, seniors (age 65+) are $12 and children under 12 are free. Tickets may also be purchased at the following Park Hill and nearby establishments:
• City Floral: 1440 Kearney St.
• Spinelli’s Market: 4621 E. 23rd Ave.
• Cake Crumbs: 2216 Kearney St.
• Park Hill Library: 4705 Montview Blvd.
Tickets will also be sold at The Park Hill Art Festival on June 4 and 5. The festival is at 4958 Montview Blvd. (on the grounds of the Masonic Temple between Dahlia and Eudora streets).
(Check out next month’s issue for a story about this year’s featured gardens. A map and addresses for the participating gardens will be provided when people purchase their tickets for the event.)
Proceeds from the Park Hill Garden Walk support the Greater Park Hill Community mission. GPHC, Inc., is a volunteer-based registered neighborhood organization that promotes the character and vibrancy of Park Hill through its resources, information and advocacy, while preserving the quality of life and the history of the neighborhood through community participation. Learn more and get involved at greaterparkhill.org.
