By Sarah Newton
The second annual Local Food Initiative’s (a committee of the North Columbia Environmental Society) Garden Art tour was a resounding success with approximately 130 people touring 11 gardens around town.
Each garden also had an artist-in-residence showing off a wide variety of creative works from paintings to hair styles. Local gardeners shared their knowledge about what works in Revelstoke and how to get the best out of small spaces.
Here are some photos from the event:
David and Martha Fehr’s garden on Tum Tum Crescent was a hidden gem. A transformation of an old farm to an ascetically beautiful setting, mixed with productive gardens. The most spectacular was an unusual greenhouse inside a barn. The tomatoes grow up chains reaching for sky lights far overhead, while many other vegetables thrived in this unique garden space. Photo courtesy of Sarah Newton A number of gardens on the tour featured grapes! They seem to be growing in abundance and are a frost-resistant variety. An ice wine business waiting to be started, perhaps. Photo courtesy of Sarah Newton The Wilford residence on Track Street inspired everyone with their views of Mount Bebgie and Cartier. Their gardens offered a good balance of food production and beautiful flowers, while the setting was surrounded by natural beauty on all sides. Photo courtesy of Sarah Newton Jackie Hutchison’s garden on 8th Street featured a unique approach to urban gardening where soil might be scarce- straw bales are used instead of soil for a vaiety of vegetables including tomatoes. The artist in residence was her son, the talented Madison Dyck. Photo courtesy of Sarah Newton Rory Luxmoore and Sarah Newton’s garden on 7th Street had a lot in a small space- greenhouse, laying hens, productive vegetable beds, fruit and nut trees. The highlight was local artist Sara Jeffery who sees every hair cut and style she does as a piece of art. Becky Bristow (left) seems to agree as she looks on at the style being created for young Alexandra Luxmoore. Sara can be found at the Refinery Day Spa if you wish to have an artist take your hair seriously. Photo courtesy of Sarah Newton Joe (Guiseppe) Iaccino on Taylor Street is one of the few repeat gardens from last year, and with good reason. He has filled his backyard with every variety of vegetable and fruit imaginable. Who knew figs and nectarines could be grown in our community? With abundance if you are Joe Iaccino! Photo courtesy of Sarah Newton Jim and Sharon Cook on 2nd Street have also used every available inch to create a sanctuary in the downtown core. Fragrant flowers, a water feature and the pleasant call of birds (also seeking a peaceful niche) greet the visiter as they walk off the street. Definitely a labour of love that continues to be an ongoing work in progress. Photo courtesy of Sarah Newton