We have a WINNER!

 

The "Growing Together" Mural contest winner is: HEIDI LUNG!!! 

Here is an excerpt from her Artist Statement: "The theme of my design includes hands emerging from the soil holding vegetables, fruits and flowers. These hands represent the diverse people of our community, from past and present. The hands also symbolize our community, working together to create not only a beautiful space, but dedicated to the process of staying connected and working together."

Better yet is Heidi's process: 

Public Painting and Art Happening, Collaborative Process with the Community
Under the direction of the artist, children and adults will be given the opportunity to paint parts of the mural in a “paint by number” style in order to maintain the overall vision and continuity of the art.  The artist will coordinate volunteer artists and Northern Arts Council members from the community to assist with public events.

Public events could include one or all of the following possibilities:
1) A booth at the Ferguson Farmers Market
2) OFW Garden Children’s Event, May 8
3) an artist event/party with community artists at the artist’s home.

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Heidi's winning sketch won't be shared. ;-)

Stay tuned for the installation of the final mural on the last Saturday of May!

April Work Day Update

Spring fever is definitely in the air! Seeing seedlings come up, and plants once dormant that are now reaching for the sun served as inspiration today. The enthusiasm, volunteers, work, dirt, and laughter managed to keep the "April Showers" at bay until we finished early this afternoon.

Rain or shine was the call, and the following volunteers answered: Peggy, Sharon, Sue, Gail, Bev, John, Julia, Heidi, Freddie, Dwayne, Trudy, Brian, Darius, Tony, Jessica, Chase, and garden gnomes Ben and Claire. It's a good thing Peggy planned to feed 24, because there were 20 of us there standing in line for lunch! (more on that in a bit!)

As a community of gardeners we weeded, planted rose bushes along Suburban, put down garden paper and mulch, turned over the compost bin, finished the grape trellises, constructed most of the weather-proof sign, put up the last blackberry post, planted the last two blackberry plants, moved the hedge from in front of the sign, planted grasses and cannas near the fence in the orchard, and spread the wood chips around the strawberry pyramids. Did I mention that we had so much fun we didn't even notice how much work we had done?!?!?

Lunch is always provided during our work days, and Peggy created a moment of garden hilarity by her presentation. Spaghetti salad was served out of flower pots, and cheese garlic bread was served on an inverted flower pot (email me for pictures if anyone wants ideas!) The best was the cake with a miniature square foot garden!

Also, by now most of you have heard about Ferguson as a finalist in the "All-America City" competition by the National Civic League. Each and every one of you should be proud to have contributed to the success of this great City! Check out the NOCO blog to learn more about this great honor:

http://nocostl.com/2010/04/ferguson-a-finalist-in-2010-all-america-city-competition/

Call for Artists for a Garden Mural!

Fom the NoCo blog today! http://nocostl.com/2010/04/sunday-news-clips-411/  (Thanks Shannon!!!):

• If you’re a talented local artist, why not consider submitting a design in the Old Ferguson West Community Garden’s “Growing Together” mural contest! Both groups and individuals are invited to enter the competition, which will yield two 4×8-foot painted MDF panels that will serve as a backdrop to the garden. Judging will be based on which design best represents what a community garden means in a diverse neighborhood, and you should be prepared to explain your concept in those terms. The application deadline is April 23.

Please contact me for the application or the rules! (hlrobinett@yahoo.com)