The compost experts at the Comox Strathcona Waste Management’s Compost Education Centre have been taking green ideas to a whole new level with their creation of recycled art.
The Campbell River Art Gallery’s Garden and Art Tour, with 12 gardens open to the public on the weekend of June 22 and June 23, offers something for everyone who loves beauty in the garden. At the Compost Education Centre, educators Elaine Jansen and Gayle Bates know that more and more people are embracing environmentally-aware gardening – and they’ve taken that approach a step further by taking items that were slated for the dump and turning them into art.
“We’re taking things that have reached the end of their useful life and were headed for the landfill and we’ve created pieces of art – some for whimsy and some for practical purposes,” Bates said.
The Compost Education Centre is a regular on the Garden Tour and visitors will still be able to learn waste reduction and green gardening tips on tour days, with the added bonus of recycled art placed throughout the grounds. The centre is located near the corner of Dogwood Street and Pinecrest Road (on St. Peter’s Anglican Church property).
There will be something for everyone on this year’s tour – which features gardens from north Campbell River all the way down to Black Creek. Enjoy everything from a stunning waterfront garden to a grand luxuriant two-acre property. There’s a garden that incorporates the principles of Feng Shui, an urban garden featuring stunning raku pottery sculptures, and much, much more. There will be artists at work in many of the gardens, capturing the gorgeous scenes.
Be sure to get your tickets soon for the Garden and Art Tour, which is sponsored by Royal LePage Campbell River. Tickets are $16 and the self-guided tour runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both June 22 and June 23. Call 250-287-2261 for more information.
The Campbell River Community Centre is offering a bus tour, for $20 including your ticket, on Saturday, June 22 only. Call 250-286-1161 for details.
The Garden and Art Tour raises funds for children’s programs at the Campbell River Art Gallery.