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By Laura Drinan
Hometown Weekly
The Massachusetts’s Horticultural Society’s Gardens at Elm Bank are truly a piece of art. From the meticulously planted flowers and shrubs to the perfectly manicured greens, the Elm Bank grounds are a treat for the senses, boasting beautiful sights, fresh scents, and a relaxed atmosphere.
It would seem an ideal venue for an art show, and that’s exactly what Elm Bank visitors found waiting for them last Wednesday.
‘Arts on the Green’ at the Massachusetts Horticultural Society invites the community to view and support local artists while enjoying the scenery of the gardens.
As LiveWire Boston performed a mixture of jazz, blues, and R&B at the Jim Crockett Memorial Garden at the heart of property, local artists set up their work throughout the gardens for the visitors at the third annual “Arts on the Green” event.
The Massachusetts’s Horticultural Society’s Gardens at Elm Bank celebrates the third annual ‘Arts on the Green’ event, which features a handful of local artists and their work.
At the first “Arts on the Green,” seven artists showcased their work as the public was welcomed to wander the grounds of the Gardens at Elm Bank. “It’s been a really wonderful event. We have artists from previous years, as well as new ones,” said Amy Rodrigues, who coordinated the event. In fact, on September 13, visitors saw an impressive 25 artists and their incredible work against the beautiful backdrop of the gardens.
Many of the artists themselves were inspired by the gardens and were selling paintings and photographs of the surrounding greenery.
Although all of the artists certainly appreciated the beauty of the nature around them, not all of the artists’ work focused on the outdoors. Some of the artists specialized in mixed media designs, abstract sculptures, and pet portraits.
Even for the visitors who were looking for some botanical-inspired art, the variety of work contributed to the success of the evening. “[The event] just melds the two - art and gardens - together. It’s just an interesting way to combine the two forms of art,” said Rodrigues.
Elm Bank visitors make their own art with a leaf rubbing activity at the ‘Arts on the Green’ event.
“We hope people will look at the gardens and look at it through the eyes of an artist,” said Rodrigues. All of the visitors, even the younger children, seemed to have no issues in seeing the art of the gardens. Children were welcomed to create their own leaf rubbing creations to flawlessly fuse nature and craft.
As the band played, kids ran around Maple Grove while adults sat at the picnic tables and chairs, basking in the setting sun and breathing in the fresh air of the gardens after visiting the artists’ tables.
The event, which was previously rained out earlier in July, was one that was long-awaited by the community. However, the wait was worthwhile, as the evening’s fantastic weather highlighted the glory of the gardens and the talent of the artists for all to enjoy.
