ART IN THE GARDEN

"Yielding to Nature" - Original art by local artist Lorie Lee Andrews.

Art at Wildergarden

Many gardens have added features to them. Wildergarden uses art to add a pop of color or to add interest among the paths.

A handmade bird house, a unique statue, or a fabric garden flag can accentuate or compliment the trees and plants in the garden. Anne has taken local classes and made items for her own yard. She has made fused glass plant markers, ceramic bowls, and a windchime in various classes. She also painted flower pots and painted rocks on my own.

Art from art fairs representing local and regional artists is a good way to shop local, plus bring art into your yard. Indianapolis has a lot of art fairs happening year round. It is especially nice to be able to meet the artists. Before placing art in your garden, makes sure to ask the artist about the materials that they use and if the artwork is safe for your habitat. Also, confirm whether the art work should be put away for the winter. The artists will be happy to help you pick out a piece to match the aesthetic of your yard.

Handmade trellises, bird baths, and signs are another way to add art to your yard. Let your own creativity guide you as you make a garden habitat that will make you proud!

Here are some of the piece of artwork made for Wildergarden, and some that were carefully selected to complement the natural space:

Handmade flat clay bowl glazed with light blue and pink for catching rainwater for wildlife to drink.

Handmade clay water bowl for ground level.

Wooden birdhouse built to resemble a barn. There is the outline of a rooster wind vane on the front, below the hole birds can use to enter. The birdhouse is hanging from a tree in the fall, so there are no leaves on the trees in the background.

Birdhouse made by local artist has had Chickadees nesting in it.

Art in the Garden! Handmade reddish-brown ceramic bowl with three brightly colored clay leaves across the top. Leaves are solid green, solid red, and an artistic patchwork of red, dark blue, dark green, and light blue. It catches rainwater for wildlife to drink.

These clay items were traced from Wildergarden oak leaves. They are in a clay dish made for wildlife to drink from.

Ceramic birdhouse shaped like a tube that is closed at one end and mostly closed at the other, but with a round hole for birds to get in. The glaze is a patchy dark blue. The birdhouse is hanging in from a tree with smooth bark and is surrounded by dark green leaves.

This is a ceramic birdhouse created in a clay hand building class in 2022. By Julia Wilder with Deanna Poelsma.

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Painted by Anne Murphy

Yielding to Nature, by artist Lorie Lee Andrews

Harrison Center for the Arts, April 1-30, 2022

Lorie Lee’s show was inspired by her visit to Wildergarden. She noted that Julia chose to “yield to Nature by letting her yard become what it would be without a lawn mower or fertilizers. The result is a tiny forest…”

Lorie Lee chose leaves from a few trees and made indigo-tinted prints of them. Below are some examples: Basswood, Eastern Red Cedar, Sweetgum, and Hackberry.

Originals are available from Lorie Lee Andrews, www.lorielee.com