enjoying a garden and art tour
What could be better than spending a perfect summer day in a welcoming garden? Combining human-made art forms with the bounty of nature’s beauty.
Hats off to the Red River North Tourism Association for inviting me and other artistic creators to come and speak to guests at the 2019 annual Garden & Art Tour. I was blessed to have my post in the incredible garden of Nia Massey located on Breezy Point Road, just east of Clandeboye, Manitoba. Situated on a seven-acre parcel of land, Nia manages a dozen different flower beds, each with own intriguing personality.
Nia gardens using as few herbicides and pesticides as possible. The yard has been certified by the National Wildlife Association and the Canadian Wildlife Association as a Wildlife Backyard Habitat. It is also certified as a monarch butterfly way station by Monarch Watch. The property is also a great place for bird and wildlife watching, with more than 80 species of birds coming and going throughout the year.
I bought some colourful art cards by artist/author Amanda Onchulenko, who will be participating in the WAVE Artists’ Studio tour in September here in the Interlake. And I loved the pottery of Tanis Bannister, who uses calming colours in her works of art.
It was an incredible day of friendly garden, art, and chocolate-loving people collectively enjoying the beauty that Manitoba summers have to offer. I wish I’d had the opportunity to actually do the tour and visit the other eight locations on the 2019 Garden and Art Tour. Looking forward to 2020. It will begin with a jungle tour of Costa Rica. What a great way to start the year. Jungle gardens are amazing! I hope you’ll join us. 🙂
I’m so glad I stumbled upon this article.
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The blend of art and nature described in this article is exceptional. It adds a unique touch to the garden tour experience. I’ll definitely incorporate some of these ideas into my next outing.
Wow!! Amazing.. Birds, flowers, garden all are absolute beauty. Really like the beauty of the art and garden.
I love gardening, and combining art and gardening is a terrific idea!
Though I love gardens from the core of my heart, I have never been in a garden tour. After reading your article, I have decided to nail it!
The garden tour was made extra special this year by Doreen’s display about chocolate. Doreen shared her passion about dark chocolate with 3 generations in my family as we toured local gardens and art displays. It was an enlivening experience!
Thanks so much for your kind words, Susan. I love the opportunity to share my passion about the world of chocolate and cacao at every chance I get. The Garden and Art Tour in St. Andrews was a lot of fun for all, and it was great to see you and your family there. 🙂 Hope to see you again soon.
Chocolate seems like the “icing on the cake” on such a lovely art and garden tour!
I agree, Irene! Being in a beautiful garden is always s blessing, but toss visual art & chocolate art into the mix and you’ve got pure perfection.
I so love visiting gardens and this looked like quite a lovely afternoon. You live in such a beautiful part of the world Doreen.
Thank you, Sue. I agree. Manitoba is really quite an understated destination. The more I travel, the more I have come to realize that.
I love gardening but have never experienced a garden tour. What a lovely experience.
Hi Bola and thanks for your comment. You should definitely seek out some garden tours in your own region and when you travel. You learn so much from master gardeners and so much about a destination from the flora and fauna that are native to it.
What fun! I love gardens and gardening and touring around to see what people have planted. It’s beautiful, fun, and relaxing. Looks like you had a lovely day!
It really was a perfect day, RoseMary. Weatherwise, spirit-wise, and professionally for me as an author and events leader. It’s great when these community events work like a charm. 🙂
That Garden & Art Tour of Nia’s garden looks to have been spectacular! I love your butterfly shot.
Hi Carole, and thanks so much for your comment. Yes, that butterfly I was able to capture in the photo evidently cannot fly. Nia is happy to have it living in her garden.
The garden / art tour was wonderful and Red River North Tourism was so pleased to have Doreen participate!
Hi Laurel and thanks for inviting me to participate. Lorna, who participated at the Gaynor Library in Selkirk’s garden said that, “The prairie garden rekindled an old flame for me as it inspired me to get back into native grasses and flowers. I went to the prairie originals garden centre this week and bought some plants.” I love how garden tours inspire each of us in a unique way.
I always admire the hardworking gardener that creates these mini paradises.
You would have been quite inspired by Nia’s gardens, Janet. I thought of you while we were there.
Looks like you had a lovely day in the garden of Nia Massey! BTW, I want that colorful floral painting leaning on the table by Amanda Onchulenko!
I want it, too, Patti! I bought her art cards as I was trying to stay on budget. 🙂 But I know where to find her …
Looks like a blissful location to spend a summer day.
It truly was, Linda. I would love to return to Nia’s garden and just relax. 🙂
what a great idea, I could visit with children and everyone would be happy, I would have “Art” to see and kids would enjoy the garden.
Hi Ania and thanks for your comment. Yes, there are many little things hidden in each garden that would fascinate children. The gardens themselves are works of art!
Brava to Nia for all the work it must take to plan and care for this lovely property !. What a great site you and the others had for displaying your specialties. Your photos, Doreen – particularly the flowers, are wonderful. Thanks so much for sharing.
Thanks so much for your comment, Linda. Yes, I think that Nia puts many hours per week into those 12 flower beds and her butterfly garden. I have a number of additional photos that I had wanted to include, but ran out of time. 🙂
I love garden tours and art tours. Combining the two sounds delightful.
Knowing you and the kind of tours you like, you would love the Garden and Art Tour, Donna. Don’t miss it in 2020!