Woman’s Art Club Cultural Center The Pollinators Project

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.

That is the central theme of a new program at The Barn in Mariemont (also known as the Womans’ Art Club of Cincinnati Cultural Center, or WACC). The Pollinators Project is a week-long celebration of pollinator gardening presented by the Woman’s Art Club of Cincinnati Foundation and sponsored by Wimberg Landscaping.

from 6-8:30 p.m. in the gallery. Cash awards totaling $2,550 will be given in the categories of photography, two-dimensional work, and three-dimensional work. Access to the entry process is on the website: www.artatthebarn.org Artists (ages 18+) can enter up to two pieces of art. The entry deadline is February 7. This is a themed exhibit, so all the art will feature pollinators, flowers or gardens.

Like a Bee” presentation; and the week rounds out with Scott Beuerlein from the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden talking about “Pollinators Under Pressure.” Times and registration are available on the Barn website. Walk-ins are welcome, but advance registration is recommended as space is limited.

It begins with a juried exhibition that opens with a reception Friday, February 21,

The exhibit will include speakers and workshops. 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; Rita Heikenfeld, renown columnist for the Enquirer, radio personality, and garden expert who will present a program on suburban herb gardens; Sarah GeigerBehm who will talk bee basics in her “Think

Kids can enjoy a “make and take” activity Saturday, February 22 at 10:30 a.m., and build a bee motel with Maria Bailey at 1 p.m. Adults can make pressed flower art with Meerah Smallwood Monday, February 24 at 2 p.m. More workshops are being planned. All registrations are on The Barn website.

The public is welcome to attend a free Garden Market Day in the Loft Saturday, March 1, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. The Market is a mix of vendors selling items to adorn your garden, like 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 dye garden where they grow plants that make dyes for natural fibers.

For more information, including the process for entry into the juried exhibition and registration for workshops, visit The Barn website, www.artatthebarn.org, or call 513272-3700.