Artists hope to draw inspiration from the beauty of newly blooming foliage.
By: Josh Appelbaum
The mild weather and blooming spring foliage will set the scene for artists to capture the natural beauty of local gardens next month.
The Cranbury Arts Council will once again enlist the gardens of Cranburians for the upcoming season of Art in the Park. This will be the third installment of the "Garden Sessions." Previously, artists painted natural scenes at Village and Memorial parks, from 1999 until 2003.
The Art in the Park series is open to all artists who like to work in a plein-air outdoor setting, with guidance and critique from an accomplished local artist. The first installment of the season will take place May 15 from noon to 4 p.m. in Linda Harding’s garden at 20 Evans Drive with watercolorist Donna Senopoulos critiquing artists’ work.
Bob Virgadamo, an Arts Council charter member and the founder of Art in the Park, said he started the event seven years ago after attending a similar event at Ellarslie Mansion in Cadwalader Park in Trenton.
"I had gone to something called Art in the Park, and it was not well attended, but I thought it was an excellent idea since we have such cool parks in Cranbury," Mr. Virgadamo said. "I thought that the Arts Council might want to do this. I volunteered my time and put it all together."
Mr. Virgadamo said the series really took off when the council moved the event from parks Village and Memorial to individual gardens.
"After a while, any park or venue gets tedious for an artist," Mr. Virgadamo said. "We came up with the idea of using gardens they’re a park-like setting and thought a volunteer artist (critic) was a good idea. We started looking for gardens and now it’s pretty amazing."
Mr. Virgadamo said about 30 people have approached him to host a garden art party. Those not chosen for this year’s series may be selected next year.
He also said the Arts Council tries to vary its use of the gardens, and doesn’t use one more than once, except in special cases, such as when artists request another shot at a particularly beautiful garden.
"We try to make sure we’re not taking advantage of the hosts and that the artists aren’t bored painting the same garden," Mr. Virgadamo said.
He said some Cranbury residents who aren’t art enthusiasts have contacted the Arts Council to host an Art in the Park event. Although the series is free and celebratory of vistas, barns and foliage, Mr. Virgadamo said Art in the Park is not a garden tour, and is open only to artists.
He said artists should come prepared with any supplies they need to paint, and watercolorists should bring a bottle of water.
Artists who participate in this year’s Art in the Park series are eligible to appear in a future Gourgaud Gallery Garden Series exhibit.