Outdoor art series will visit Marlowes
By:Sarah Winkelman
Artists looking to paint a perfectly manicured garden complete with whimsical garden sculptures and rows of annual flowers are in luck.
On Sunday the next Art in the Park: Garden Series will take place at 11 N. Main St. at the home of Frank and Bobbie Marlowe. In keeping with the garden theme, this year’s Art in the Park showcases the gardens of residents throughout Cranbury. The event will be from noon to 4 p.m.
Coordinator Bob Virgadamo said last year’s season was so successful that participants clamored for another garden series this summer. He said he has a list of about 30 residents who want their gardens to be part of the series.
"The Marlowes’ garden was so popular last year that people insisted we come back another year," he said. "A lot of people told me there was just too much there to paint in one day."
He said the Marlowes’ garden resembles a park with large trees, climbing plants and a trellis as well as a manicured lawn and bushes. Small sculptures placed strategically throughout the garden offer artists a variety of items to paint.
"The little pieces tucked here and there throughout the garden seemed to be the most popular things last year," Mr. Virgadamo said. "People started painting a tree and then noticed the cat sculpture but they couldn’t paint both in one day."
This session’s guest artist will be Colleen Cahill. She will critique and offer advice and feedback to artists while they paint throughout the day.
The Art in the Park series began in Village Park before moving to Memorial Park. But Mr. Virgadamo said participants were getting bored painting the same landscapes and vistas. That’s when the idea to have the series in park-like settings was born. Budding artists who participate in this year’s Art in the Park: Garden Series will be invited to showcase their work in a December exhibit at the Gourgaud Gallery.
Mr. Virgadamo said artists should go directly to the Marlowe house. All mediums are welcome, but Mr. Virgadamo said watercolorists should bring their own water bottle. He also said only artists should plan on attending the event.
"This is not a garden tour, it is a chance for artists to draw or paint," he said. "Please remember that these people are opening their gardens to artists only."