Where We Are
Arts in the Garden takes place on the traditional, ancestral and unceded lands of the Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and s ə lilw ə ta ɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples, who have been sovereign caretakers of these lands since time immemorial, and who continue to foster reciprocal relationships with this place. As we engage with, celebrate, and learn from the diversity of nature and the land this weekend, noticing with respect the fungi, flora and fauna and all others who are sharing the land with us, we invite you to reflect on your own relationships and responsibilities to this place.
About Arts in the Garden
This year is the 25 th anniversary of Arts in the Garden. Arts in the Garden celebrates nature through the arts, with the aim of inspiring visitors to nurture their relationships to the land and to each other. This year, ten outdoor spaces across the North Shore will be filled with the creativity of visual artists, musicians and performers.
We’re Excited For You to Experience…
The Gardens: Each garden is unique, and has been cared for and nurtured by the gardeners you will meet during the event. We are grateful this year to be partnering with Harmony Garden, Loutet Farm, West Vancouver Memorial Library, and the Wild Bird Trust of BC at Maplewood Flats.
The Visual Art: Two or three visual artists, working in a wide variety of mediums and styles, will be hosted in each garden, displaying their work and offering demonstrations or interactive art activities.
The Music: Two musical performances will take place consecutively in each garden, from 11:00am to 1:00pm, and from 1:30pm to 3:30pm.
The Performances: A few gardens will be hosting performances, including dance, poetry, and multidisciplinary arts, each occurring once over the course of the weekend.
Feathers & Fungi: In partnership with the Wild Bird Trust of BC, we are offering workshops and interactive engagements exploring the relationship between birds and fungi at Maplewood Flats. Some of these opportunities require advance registration.
How to Join Us
Six garden spaces have an entry fee of $5 cash. Our event partners – Harmony Garden, Loutet Farm, West Vancouver Memorial Library and Maplewood Flats–each have unique offerings, and have either free entry, entry by donation, or advance registration options.
$35 Garden Passes are available for purchase online at northvanarts.ca or at CityScape Community ArtSpace (335 Lonsdale Avenue, North Vancouver) in advance of the event, or at each garden venue during the event weekend. North Van Arts members can receive a discounted pass at $25 if purchasing their pass ahead of the event weekend.
Register for Feathers and Fungi workshops online at northvanarts.ca
Accessibility
Each garden venue is marked with either a red, yellow, or green accessibility indication. A red marking means that the garden poses several accessibility barriers. A yellow marking means that there are a few accessibility concerns, but the space may still be accessible for some. A green marking means that the garden is overall accessible. Details regarding each space are available online: visit northvanarts.ca or scan the unique QR codes on each garden’s page in this guide.
Information regarding transportation and parking are included on each garden’s webpage. If you do not require accessible parking, we ask that you please leave parking spaces closest to each garden available for those who need them.
How to Use this Guide
Each page in this guide will tell you more about what you can expect at the garden venues for the weekend. You will find:
Addresses: This guide lists each garden location and offers a map so that you can visualize your route. This information is meant to accompany, not replace, a real map. Please look up directions to each venue to plan your route.
Performance Times: Musicians play from 11:00am – 1:00pm and from 1:30pm – 3:30pm. Special performances occur once over the weekend, during breaks in musicians’ sets.
Participant Bios: You can learn more about each participant through their bios.
QR Codes: Learn more about the amazing people bringing energy and creativity to each garden! Scan the QR code on each garden page, or visit northvanarts.ca , to read participants’ full bios, visit their websites or social media accounts, find details about visual artists’ activities and demonstrations, and learn more about each garden venue, including accessibility details and transit information.
Weekend Tips
Bring Cash: Garden entry fees and garden pass sales are cash only! Some artists and performers will be selling their work at the event, so bring cash and your card so that you are prepared to make a purchase when you see something you love!
Look For Signage: Each garden will be marked by directional signs, and one or two volunteers will be there, ready to greet you!
Always Ask: Please ask an artist before taking pictures of their work!
Always Ask: Please ask an artist’s permission before posting photos of their work on social media, and ask if you can tag them. Artists greatly appreciate the support of online attention. Even if the artist doesn’t have social media, please remember to recognize them by including their name in the body of your social media post or as text in your story. It’s like putting someone’s name next to a quote: give credit where it’s due!
Engage With, Appreciate And Respect Garden Spaces And Participants! Remember to engage with others and with the land with care and attention.
SIMIN BADR GARDENER
A rose garden, tropical garden, secret garden, vegetable garden and woodland area lead up to a beautiful pond and trails.
VISUAL ARTISTS
GARRETT ANDREW CHONG (HE/HIM) Digital Photography
A fourth-generation Chinese-Canadian, Garrett Andrew Chong graduated with honours from ECUAD. His recent explorations have evolved through spiritual influences, underscoring an attentiveness to natural forces.
TARANEH SHAHIN JAFARI (SHE/HER) AND DINA MAJIDI (SHE/HER)
Acrylic Paint, Mixed Media and Sculpture
Tary Majidi identifies as an international artist. Tary and Dina’s work represents peace, love, unity, humanity, and nature.
MUSICIANS & PERFORMERS
J. KNUTSON (HE/HIM) Singer – songwriter | Both days, 11:00am – 1:00pm Jay was a founding member of the seminal folk band Spirit of the West. He has released 7 solo albums, and has been working and performing with Early Spirit since 2017. Jay has been involved in the recording of over 50 albums, has won West Coast Music awards and been part of 5 Juno award winning projects.
KRON (HE/HIM) World | Both days, 1:30pm – 3:30pm Shakuhachi master Alcvin Ryuzen Ramos and handpan electroacoustic composer Kiyoshi Iio (Koku) team up to make downtempo, healing vibe, relaxing music for the soul.
LAMONDANCE Contemporary Dance | Saturday, 1:00pm – 1:30pm
Lamondance is a contemporary professional dance company and post secondary training program based in North Shore Since 2009.
TEMPO DANCE & RENATA (SHE/HER)
Dance and Spoken Word Poetry | Sunday, 11:45am – 12:00pm
Carla Alcantara and Renata Monteón, two Mexican multidisciplinary artists, collaborate to create, connect, and discover with the community of the North Shore.
Spark your creativity!
NVRC offers inspiring arts programs for all ages! From visual & performing arts to dance & music, come get creative with us.
604-987-7529 / nvrc.ca
BLUESHORE AT CAPU SHOWS
• Regina Carter & Kenny Barron
June 25
• Luca Benedetti Trio June 27
• Marois Vocal Project: Homage to Dave Brubeck June 28
FREE NORTH SHORE CONCERTS
• Mary Ancheta Quartet June 21
• Terminal City Brass Band June 23
• Mimosa June 29
• Scott Smith and the Midnight Riders celebrate Allman Brothers June 30
NORTH SHOREJAZZ
SWÁYWI TEMÍXW
West Vancouver Memorial Library’s Community Demonstration Garden
Swáywi Temíxw, West Vancouver Memorial Library’s Community Demonstration Garden, is a place for the community to gather and to learn about sustainable and regenerative gardening practices. The Garden includes food gardens, a native plant food forest, a bat garden, pollinator gardens, a Mason Bee hotel, bat boxes, composting, rainwater harvesting, and an accessible garden box. The Library’s garden uses organic, sustainable, and regenerative gardening practices to ensure the health of our plants, soil, wildlife, people, and our planet.
MUSICIANS
VISUAL ARTISTS
DABBLING WITH DENNY (HE/HIM) Acrylic on Canvas
Denny is a colorblind artist who works full-time supporting his talent in many ways. He teaches classes, has a studio in Nanaimo, and takes commissions to fulfill and support the community in any way he can.
VIOLET FINVERS Fused Glass
Contemporary fused glass for the garden.
DIA (SHE/HER) Folk, Pop | Saturday, May 25, 11:00am – 1:00pm
Sunday, May 26, 1:30pm – 3:30pm
Dia is an all-women, powerhouse vocal performance trio that sings songs of hope, empowerment and justice for a changing world.
NORINE BRAUN (SHE/HER)
Singer – songwriter, Roots, Blues, Jazz | Saturday, May 25, 1:30pm – 3:30pm
Sunday, May 26, 11:00am – 1:00pm
Singer-songwriter/recording artist, bluesy roots rock Norine Braun’s latest is the groove-oriented Songs For Trees, thanks to a Canada Council For the Arts Award and a First Peoples’ Cultural Council Award. Alice Fraser joins on keys.
Free Friday Night Concert series
Art exhibitions and talks
Community demonstration garden
Industry-standard recording studio and equipment and more!
Find out more at wvml.ca
AMICA WEST VANCOUVER: EVENT SPONSOR
A south-facing, low-maintenance greenhouse for solitary reflection or friendly conversations with a working space for resident gardeners to take care of their house plants. Incorporated is a raised herb garden, seasonal bright florals, a cactus garden, and a potting area for residents to use. This greenhouse refit is designed for year-round resident engagement with the outdoors brought indoors allowing the use of all the senses.
MUSICIANS
MOUNTAIN SOUND (SHE/HER | HE/HIM)
VISUAL ARTISTS
DANYNE JOHNSTON (SHE/HER) Acrylic
Danyne Johnston is a North Shore artist who paints local forests and oceans.
ROBERTA HEAVEN - THE HEALING GARDEN ARTS STUDIO (SHE/HER) Acrylic, Watercolour, Textile, Hand-crafted Soaps
Roberta Heaven is a hobby artist who recently made her healing garden work a passion to share with others to encourage healing and mindful appreciation of the beauty that surrounds us and our unique connection with it.
Indie-Folk, Rock | Both days, 11:00am – 1:00pm
Mountain Sound is an Indie Folk/Rock duo based out of the beautiful west coast of British Columbia. Their musical creations are influenced by the many genres that they continue to grow up on including soul, rock, folk, reggae and bluegrass, to name a few!
FRASER-HENDERSON (SHE/HER | HE/HIM)
Original Roots, Pop | Both days, 1:30pm – 3:30pm
Fraser-Henderson is composed of Barb Fraser and Dennis Henderson, singer-songwriter duo, who perform acoustic/electric folk/pop music.
X wemelch’stn pen em áy, Harmony Garden, is a fourteen-year-old food forest and place of community, offering a safe, vibrant, colorful and creative place for gathering and connection. The arts are naturally incorporated into the space, as Harmony Garden partners with emerging Indigenous artists on a variety of projects. A community of 2SLGBTQIA+ volunteers run a Two-Spirit group at the garden year round, led by Tea Rosa. X wemelch’stn pen em áy invites visitors to learn about the Indigenous plants that grow throughout Skwxwú7mesh land, many of which are growing right there in the garden.
SUSAN BATH GARDENER
A 28-year creation of rooms of whimsy. The garden is abundant with plants, trees and chandeliers. It has been made with time and mostly found objects. Susan’s work conveys that a beautiful garden does not have to be made professionally, but can be achieved with time and resourcefulness.
MUSICIANS
VISUAL ARTISTS
EMILY PICARD (SHE/HER) Mixed Media
Emily Picard is a multimedia artist, working in both dry and wet mediums, ranging from acrylic paint and ink to resin and spray paint. Her work allows her to interact with both alternate realities and our own, bringing a part of these worlds into form on our side of existence.
BETHANY PARDOE (SHE/HER) Gouache
Bethany is an illustrator currently attending Emily Carr University of Art and Design. She is passionate about painting, drawing, and creating fictional characters and worlds.
SUSAN BATH Rescued paper, Mixed Media, Collage, Watercolour, Inks
Mixed media with repurposed items.
CLARA CLOUD (SHE/HER) Pop, Folk | Both days, 11:00am – 1:00pm
Clara Cloud is BC’s fairy songstress. Hailing from the East Kootenays, she infuses her folk-pop sound with elements of alternative and Celtic music, as well as the magic of the mountains in which she grew up.
MADELYN READ (SHE/HER) Alt-country, Americana, Folk | Both days, 1:30pm – 3:30pm
Praised by Americana UK as a “wonderful example of grafting new perspectives onto folk and country roots,” Madelyn Read blends classic country instrumentation with lyrics about growing up in Vancouver, BC to produce a unique alt-country sound.
DONNA OSEEN (SHE/HER) GARDENER
This West Coast home straddles a creek, which offers a natural water feature, tranquil in summer and rushing in winter. Maples, a bamboo, lots of azaleas, hostas, ferns and a large rhododendron cover the space.
MUSICIANS
VISUAL ARTISTS
HAPPY NOMAD CANDLES - HAYLEY CRICHTON (SHE/HER/THEY)
Beeswax and Soy Candles
Hayley Crichton is the chandler behind Happy Nomad Candles. The collection includes scented soy container candles, tea lights, and a diverse range of uniquely shaped candles, featuring mushrooms, gnomes, bees, and more.
SYLVESTER AGUDDAH Mixed Media and Collage
Sylvester AGUDDAH is a prolific contemporary artist. He loves colours and uses recycled materials for his art. His objective is to reduce waste and protect the environment, while his works are colourful and vibrant. Sylvester’s artworks are a representation of his environment and cultures.
HAIG & FRIENDS (HE/HIM) Jazz | Both days, 11:00am – 1:00pm
Haig Armen in an accomplished jazz guitarist and composer a professor of design working at the intersection of music and technology based in Vancouver, BC. He has a number of music releases and is currently working on an album of original jazz pieces.
HALF/ASIAN WITH AMY THE CODA (HE/HIM | SHE/HER) Synth-pop with Sign Language| Both days, 1:30pm – 3:30pm
HALF/ASIAN with Amy the CODA is a mixed race (Cantonese/British) musician making synth pop on an 80’s synth and a Child Of Deaf Adult singing and signing the lyrics in her mother tongue: sign language.
NORTH SHORE HOSPICE
The hospice garden has a variety of pathways and seating areas amidst a wide variety of perennials and annuals, all indigenous to the North Shore. The hospice garden is stewarded by a volunteer group of Master Gardeners from Van Dusen.
MUSICIANS
VISUAL ARTISTS
KAIE FU (SHE/HER) Clay ceramics
Kaie Fu is a ceramic artist inspired by nature, especially hummingbirds and flowers.
LIZ PERRY (SHE/HER) Acrylic, Oil, Spray Paint, Acrylic Inks
Liz Perry, a Vancouver-based artist, brings a dynamic fusion of artistry to life. Her work is a mesmerizing exploration of emotions and the natural world, conveyed through a remarkable interplay of mediums.
NATHAN TURNER (HE/HIM) Folk, Roots | Both days, 11:00am – 1:00pm
With a jazz brain, soul feel, and folk heart, Golden-based guitarist and singer-songwriter Nathan Turner fuses alternative and lo-fi, the result is a folk-tinged R&B with nuances of soft jazz and pop. His live sound features evocative lyrics and guitar suspended over subtle instrumentation.
HARMEET KAUR VIRDEE DUO (SHE/HER) Jazz | Both days, 1:30pm – 3:30pm
Harmeet Kaur Virdee is a jazz double bassist currently studying at Capilano University. She has been an active member of the music community since 2020 and enjoys sharing her love of music with others. Joining Harmeet is tenor saxophonist Natalie Varnals.
LOUTET FARM & GERRY’S GARDEN
Loutet Farm, managed by the Edible Garden Project, is a community farm, offering programs, events, and produce for the community. The Edible Garden Project grows food using regenerative practices, and strives to use their space to educate community members about sustainable food production, and to connect people to the natural world. All their events are open to the community and free of charge.
GUIDED FARM TOURS
Both days, 11:00am and 1:30pm
FARMER’S MARKET
Saturday, May 25th, 10:00am – 2:00pm
VISUAL ARTISTS
SARAH ROSENBLOOM (SHE/HER) Mixed Media
Sarah is a 25-year old local Vancouver artist specializing in neo-expressionistic and psychedelic mixed media and acrylic painting. In addition to commissioning, she has exhibited her artwork at numerous galleries and festivals around Canada. She also founded the University of British Columbia’s Alma Mater Society Painting Club.
ROWAN WRIGHT (HE/THEY) Risograph, Papercraft, Ink Markers
Connecting the world using empathy through experience.
RADISH DESIGNS (THEY/THEM) Printmaking
Christina is a Mexican-Canadian artist who explores their relationship with nature through simplicity, boldness and femininity through traditional block printing and digital techniques.
1400 RUFUS AVENUE NORTH VANCOUVER
MUSICIANS
YVONNE KUSHE AND THE RAFIKI’S (SHE/HER)
Afro Beat | Both days, 11:00am – 1:00pm
Yvonne Kushe is a multifaceted singer, songwriter and creative events curator who stands at the intersection of music and community building as the founder of PolliNATION, an arts collective initiative fostering global collaboration weaving their talents across borders. Yvonne Kushe’s music is what she likes to define as an amorphous sound. She doesn’t exclusively subscribe to any one genre but rather chooses to explore and appreciate the entire spectrum of sound.
ARGEL MDR (HE/HIM)
Electro-Pop, Acoustic, Singer-Songwriter, Contemporary Soul Both days, 1:30pm – 3:30pm
Argel Monte de Ramos is a Filipino-Canadian singer-songwriter from Surrey, Canada. When he was 15 years old, he moved to Canada from the Philippines with his family to seek a better life and opportunities. With Sam Smith, One Republic, and Original Pinoy Music (OPM) as his music influences, Argel wants to use the power of storytelling to inspire Filipino youth and other immigrants through his music and theatrical performances.
PERFORMERS
QUEER SOUL POETS (THEY/THEM) Spoken Word Poetry, Movement, Meditation Sunday, 1:00pm – 1:30pm
Dedicated and passionate multidisciplinary artist committed to queering the arts, exploring experimental storytelling, and creating inclusive spaces for marginalized voices through the intersection of theater, poetry, dance, music, and media art
FRANZ SEACHEL & BRYN DAVIES (SHE/THEY | HE/HIM)
Spoken Word with Piano Accompaniment | Sunday, 3:30pm – 4:00pm
Come on a jazzy spoken word journey with Franz Seachel and Bryn Davies, as they wonder about life and what it means to 'be'.
AHBYAH BAKER GARDENER
In this garden, nature converges with the artistry of balancing color and texture. Over the past five years, it has transformed through a dedication to cultivating a diverse garden focused on an interplay of foliage, texture, and color has resulted in a curated space, which captivates the senses in every season. Join us on a journey of horticultural delight, where every corner reveals a story of growth, renewal, and the timeless beauty of nature.
VISUAL ARTISTS
WOBBLES AND BOBBLES Carved Wood, Welded Steel Sculpture In 2023, Ahbyah Baker and Robert Turriff joined forces to create Wobbles & Bobbles—a testament to their shared commitment to artistic creativity and craftsmanship. Rob has over 20 years of experience as a sculptor and metal fabricator and Ahbyah is an artist and garden enthusiast with two decades of artistic background and a unique design perspective.
ALLISON BURNS JOSEPH (SHE/HER) Coast Salish Wool Weaving, Beadwork Dreamcatchers, Salves, Bath Soaks
Allison is from the Squamish nation and works closely with her sister Jacquline.
NATASHA NITSCHKE (SHE/HER) Textiles, Ceramics, Sculpture
Natasha Nitschke explores her connection to nature through environmental awareness in the relationship between nature and human interaction.
MUSICIANS
RICARDO Pop, Indie Rock, Alternative | Saturday, 11:00am – 1:00pm Sunday, 11:30am – 1:15pm
Ricardo is a singer songwriter, his influences are as diverse and creative as his music. He sings a mix of pop, RNB, indie rock and even a little gospel!
FRANCIS BAPTISTE (HE/HIM) Indie Folk | Both days, 1:30pm – 3:30pm
Francis Baptiste is an Indigenous songwriter who writes in both his Native language and English.
An all-ages event that celebrates the relationship between birds and fungi. Presented in partnership with the Wild Bird Trust of BC.
Just like other Arts in the Garden locations, at Maplewood Flats you will have opportunity to engage with art and nature: at the Coast Salish Plant Nursery, at the Exhibition, and on the trails. Unique to this location, you can register in advance for interactive workshops, taking place over the weekend.
NACS T O LEARN MORE
COAST SALISH PLANT NURSERY
SATURDAY, MAY 25 AND SUNDAY, MAY 26 10AM-4PM
With hourly tours of the nursery and lessons on bird-friendly native planting for this region. The Coast Salish Plant Nursery is an important component of what we do at Maplewood Flats. Our aim is to recognize and emphasize the cultural associations of Coast Salish plants, and how they can be used to improve biodiversity and habitat value for local birds.
EXHIBITION - CIRCLES OF CARE: EXHIBITION OF ECOLOGICAL ART
BY NATASHA LAVDOVSKYSATURDAY, MAY 25 AND SUNDAY, MAY 26 10AM-4PM
An exhibit centering on lichen, birds and conservation. The exhibit is open for visitors Saturday and Sunday.
WORKSHOPS • SATURDAY, MAY 25 TH
Tsleil-Waututh Nation Birds of the InletSongs and Stories • 9:30 am – 11:00am
An activity for all ages, including children and families, to learn about stories that reveal the relations between birds and Tsleil-Waututh members on these lands and waters, inspiring creative expression of birds in the rest of the weekend’s activities.
Led by Les George.
FREE | REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Decolonizing Ornithology Walk • 11:00am - 1:00pm
Reconsider the way we see birds and understand the geography of this place. Let’s explore reconciliation, Indigenous Knowledge and ornithology. Led by Irwin Oostindie.
FREE | REGISTRATION REQUIRED
GARDEN #10
2649 DOLLARTON HIGHWAY NORTH VANCOUVER
WORKSHOPS • SUNDAY, MAY 26 TH
Feathers & Fungi Naturalist Walk
10:00am – 12:30pm
Join us for a walk in the woods to learn about the ecological relationship between birds and mushrooms, exploring how they work together to create food and habitat for each other and for other forest life.
Led by Willoughby Arevalo and Samuel MacTavish
$15 | REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Bird Movement
1:00pm – 2:30pm
Learn about birds through embodying their anatomy, movement patterns and behaviors, and move inspired by murmurations and migration patterns.
Led by Isabelle Kirouac
$10 | REGISTRATION REQUIRED
CHILDREN ARE WELCOME ACCOMPANIED BY A SUPPORTIVE ADULT
Community Parade
3:00pm – 4:00pm
Join our festive community parade along the forested paths of Maplewood Flats for a celebration of our local birds and fungi!
FREE | NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED
For more information and to register for workshops, visit northvanarts.ca
FUNDERS
