By Peg McRoy
Avon Gardens is transforming its beautiful grounds for its first art festival on Sunday, Aug. 6 from noon to 8 p.m. Located at 6259 East CR 91, entry and parking for the fair are free.
“Having the fair go until 8 p.m. provides a great opportunity for people to see the gardens lit up at night,” said Heidi Doehrman, an intern at the gardens and a co-coordinator of the fair. “People ask all the time to see the gardens at night lit up. That night we will have all of the lights going.”
Their Art in the Garden Festival is complete with 36 vendors, most of which are art vendors including woodwork, iron works, photography, paintings, jewelry, and handmade crafts. Bakery vendors and a honey vendor will round out the offerings.
There will be live music throughout the grounds from four different sets of musicians. Larry Guidhart will play indigenous flutes. Tara Cody, Lynnette and Steve Harkness, and Katie Greenwood will perform folk and pop music. The group Beautiful Ammunication will offer country folk. Country recording artist and award-winning vocalist Jennifer Mlott will also perform.
Food trucks, drinks, games, crafts, books, and a kid area will also be available. Dogs are welcome to attend as well.
Visitors will have an opportunity to put their own creative juices to work by creating their own bouquets of cut flowers.
New to the gardens last year was the growing of cut flower beds with “you pick bouquet days.”
“We used to provide cut flowers for people to make their bouquets,” said Taylor Doehrman, a horticulturalist at Avon Gardens and Heidi’s sister. “But we have discovered that it is much more appealing for them to go out and have a hands-own experience by cutting their own flowers to create their personalized bouquet.”
created by a group of Ukrainian artists known as Oksana. (Photo provided by Avon Gardens)
The Art in the Garden Festival is this season’s kickoff for “you pick bouquet day.” More will be planned on future weekends.
The Art Garden’s gift shop has a unique offering this year that is definitely worth checking out. Tote bags and tee shirts for purchase have a design printed on them titled “Plant Indiana Natives.” The design was created by a group of Ukrainian freelance artists known as Oksana. Taylor located the Oksana on the Fiverr website.
“We wanted to provide more merchandise to offer to the staff and public,” said Taylor. “I found Oksana online and really enjoyed their style because they draw and watercolor the design by hand and then transfer it to a picture.”
The art garden itself is a treasure trove of beauty with five acres of display gardens. It is always a pleasure to walk the grounds of Avon Gardens. The art fair will enhance that experience.