The grounds and buildings at St. John’s Anglican Church in Vankleek Hill hosted 56 artists and their art on Saturday, August 17 for the annual Art in the Garden show.
Fortunately, the rain in that day’s weather forecast mostly held off, except for a few sprinkles.
The event began in 2021 as a fundraiser that could be held during the restrictions at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, and to celebrate Vankleek Hill’s 175th anniversary in 2022.
This year, organizers decided to hold Art in the Garden on the same weekend as the Vankleek Hill Fair with the hope of attracting more visitors. Art in the Garden Chair and St. John’s parishioner Randal Storey said they saw many people attend this year who were also going to the fair. He said that as a result of that positive effect, they will likely hold Art in the Garden on fair weekend again next year.
Artists from all over Ontario and Québec participated in Art in the Garden 2024. Storey said many of them commented it was one of the best-organized art shows they had participated in. Storey said visitors to the show said they appreciate the hospitality Vankleek Hill offers.
While there were paintings, woodcrafts, metalwork, and needlecrafts on display in the churchyard, inside the church, and in the parish hall, parishioners were also selling lunches and snacks.
Storey also thanks all of the volunteers and the community for making Art in the Garden a success. He said St. John’s Anglican Church will be using the funds raised from Art in the Garden to make repairs to the east wall of the church.
