ABOUT THIS SHOW

Last year at a RING board meeting we were brainstorming about ideas on how to bring more exposure to our wonderful oasis. It was near the end of summer and the garden was finally approaching the level of completion that Maggie Clarke, Arthur Sherry and others had dreamed of for this small triangle. Arthur's waterfall was running, Maggie knew the names of every plant, Annette had painted the welcome sign over head, Ed had moved an entire truckload of dirt and rocks...by hand, and many others had contributed sweat and tears to make this garden unique in that it wasnąt cut into little plots like other neighborhood gardens but a living, flowing continuous domain based on people working together to create a cohesive melding of the various varieties. NOW...how to get more people in that garden to see it, love it, and most of all.....open the gates more often and garden"sit". Well. Audrey St. Mark had a little idea... "Why donąt we put up some art and do a little show?". As the rest of the board talked about it, I was speechless. A lightbulb had gone off in my head. "What a brilliant idea" I thought. It was a perfect setting to combine nature and art in peaceful setting. I had curated shows. I had done this before. "...but lets do it next summer when we can do it right" I heard myself say out loud. One question remained "If we build it will they come?"

ART IN THE GARDEN 2001 not only had an overwhelming response but there is already a call to do it several times a year. We have people from all walks of life represented, but the common thread I see, is their enthusiasm for this idea of combining their art with nature in this beautiful setting. They, like myself see the symbiotic relationship of their work to some nature source in themselves.

I am proud and pleased to welcome the artists of Inwood (and friends) and all of you guests, to this first "ART IN THE GARDEN at RING 2001", for what I hope will be an annual event. It is my hope that we will continue to improve our quality of art as well as bring more people to the garden.

Thank you for coming.

Curator:  Elizabeth Popiel 

ABOUT RING

The Riverside-Inwood Neighborhood Garden began in an abandoned lot where the Church of Jesus Christ now stands at the corner of Riverside and Payson Avenues. It began in 1984 as a bunch of large pots and a few flowers. Over the years it blossomed and grew. In 1990 it moved to its current site and thanks to a $232,000 grant from Borough President, Ruth Messinger, it was renovated from 1999 to 2000.  The upkeep is left into the care of the volunteers of the RING BOARD and members. It was and remains a public garden. Membership fee is minimal and intended as a key fee and for mailings. All are welcome.

Volunteers are ALWAYS welcome. You can almost always find someone there on Saturday morning but if you join and get a key so you too can "garden sit". Please ask someone today how you can join....and welcome.

For Information on upcoming exhibits scenic designer@hotmail.com

For general RING information write to Maggie Clarke, or come by on a Saturday morning and talk to a member. Our web site is http//everest.hunter.cuny.edu/~mclarke/RING.htm