Even in the dead of winter, gardeners are planning for spring. Whether contemplating a spectacle of color in the landscape that will run from early spring to late fall or how to increase that tomato crop, the science of pollination is critical. More and more, gardeners and farmers are taking the plight of pollinators seriously, and taking steps to bring the critters back.
The Pollinators Project at The Barn is a week-long celebration of Pollinator Gardening. We’re going to be all about Pollinators with a Juried Exhibition, Educational Programming, and a one-day Garden Market. Many thanks to Wimberg Landscaping for their sponsorship support and help with the Pollinators Project.
We’re kicking off the Pollinators Project with an opening reception for the Bee Creative Exhibition. This is a themed, juried art exhibition where artists will submit artworks that feature pollinators, flowers, and/or gardens.
Asha White, Director of Education, Kennedy Heights Art Center, is the exhibition juror and will select the artworks for the exhibition.
Colleen Houston, Chief Executive Officer and Artistic Director of ArtWorks, will judge the exhibition for cash awards totaling $2550. Categories include 2-D, 3-D, and photographic art.
YOU’RE INVITED!
Exhibition Dates: February 21 – March 2 @ The Barn
Opening Reception: Friday, February 21 @ 6 – 8:30 PM
Enrollment for the following lectures is still open.
A host of speakers will share how any gardener can take simple steps, this year, to make their garden a haven for native pollinators. The speakers list includes Jennifer Smith, a garden designer with Wimberg Landscaping who will give valuable tips on garden design as she shares Travel Destinations to Inspire Your Next Garden; Rita Heikenfeld, renown columnist for the Enquirer, radio personality and garden expert who will present a program on Suburban Herb Gardens; Sarah Geiger-Behm will talk bee basics in her Think Like a Bee presentation; and the week rounds out with Scott Beuerlein from the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden talking about Pollinators Under Pressure.
Saturday, February 22 — Main Gallery 10:30 AM – 12 PM
Travel Destinations to Inspire Your Next Garden with Jennifer Smith
$15 / person
— CLICK HERE to Register
Jennifer Smith is an award-winning pollinator garden designer with Wimberg Landscaping, garden speaker, instructor, and writer. Her presentation will present great garden destinations that embody the new perennial movement and showcase design ideas and plants you can incorporate into your gardens for year-round interest and ease in maintenance all the while supporting pollinator populations. Includes Q&A.
Saturday, February 22 — Loft Gallery
1 – 2:30 PM
Herbs for a Suburban Garden with Rita Heikenfeld
$15 / person
— CLICK HERE to Register
Rita Heikenfeld is an herbalist, educator, media personality, speaker, journalist and author. You may follow her website AboutEating.com, or enjoy her recipe column in the Enquirer. Join us for lively insights about herbs for a suburban garden.
Sunday, February 23 — Loft Gallery
Think Like a Bee with Sarah Geiger-Behm
2 – 3:30 PM
$15 / person
— CLICK HERE to Register
Join garden designer and beekeeper Sarah Geiger-Behm to dive into the world of bees. What is the difference between a honeybee and a native bee? What do bees do in the winter? What happens in a beehive? What is a swarm? What can we do to keep bees and people safe when we share space with pollinators? How can we use our gardens to help bees? Bring your curiosity and questions.
Sunday, March 2 – Loft Gallery
2 – 3:30 PM
Pollinators Under Pressure with Scott Beuerlein
$15 / person
— CLICK HERE to Register
Scott Beuerlein, naturalist from The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, sets the context and then provides the information so that any home or landowner can literally conserve nature easily and beautifully to provide much of the plant diversity upon which pollinators depend.
Last but not least . . . A GARDEN MARKET
The Market is a mix of vendors selling items to adorn your garden such as mosaic flowerpots and lawn ornaments, and items that bring the beauty of the garden indoors like miniature Gnome gardens, pottery, pressed flower art, soap made with natural ingredients and local honey. Have fun making paper with natural materials from Peg Rhein’s garden, or learn about herbs from the Herb Society of Greater Cincinnati. The Weavers Guild will share a look at their dyeing garden where they grow plants that make dyes for natural fibers.
Here’s a Peek at a few of the Garden Market Attractions & Makers / Experts.
Botanical Design Block Printed Paper & Fabric Products — Elizabeth Ross
Charming Gnome Mini-Gardens — Maria Bailey
Felted Wall Gardens — Therese Waldbillig
Floral Design Pottery — Karen Eberhardt
Information: Dyeing Gardens & Exmples of Dyed Fibers — Weavers Guild
Information: Expert Pollinator Wisdom — Jennifer Smith, Wimberg Landscaping
Information: Herb Society of Greater Cincinnati
Local Honey Products — Eve Moody
Mosaic Fower Pots & More — Sandy Caruso
Mosaic Yard Decor — Anne Huddleston
Nature Photography — Cindi Williams
Oakley Soap (made with natural materials) — Laura Pipitone
Paper Making Demonstration & Sales — Peg Rhein
Dried Flowers/Wreaths, Gourds, Natural Baskets and More — Judy Dominic & Patti Keesling
Pressed Flower Decor Items — Meera Smallwood
Raised Garden Frames — One Small Garden