Fourth Annual Garden Party
You’re invited to our 4th Annual Garden Party on Saturday, July 11 (11am–2pm) on the grounds of the Chaffee Art Center!
It’s FREE with lots of fun activities: Make & Take, demos, speakers, light refreshments, giveaways, garden tours, Chaffee Ukulele Group will play some old favorites, and games weather permitting.
FREE Ann Clark Ltd. Cookie Cutter per family while supplies last.
Artisans will be set up selling their affordable, handmade items. Stop by and talk with Artist’s plein air painting in watercolor, acrylic and more, as well as Educational Booths.
Explore the 100-foot Pollinator Garden with native plantings, growing Sculpture Garden, beautiful outdoor area with expanded grass section, and over a dozen gardens on our historic property. Be sure to come inside our 1890s Queen Anne Victorian Mansion full of art, gift ideas and stunning architecture.
PRESENTER SCHEDULE TO DATE:
Please keep checking back as we are still adding speakers and demos.
11am: Walk & Talk Pollinators & Native Plants
Renee Warren with Rutland County Aububon/Rutland Bird Alliance will take you on a walk around our 100-foot Pollinator Garden, explain how to select & maintain plants as some spread/others do not, how much to water, etc.
11:30am: Grace Kuehne from Gracie’s Bees
Grace will talk about her background and experience with beekeeping. She will discuss the different types of pollinators, and how each one prefers different plants. Plus, the importance of planting native flowers to help with native pollinators.
12pm: VT Wetlands Program
As an Ecologist with the VT Wetlands Program Zapata Courage will highlight wetland-specific plants and share ideas for turning soggy lawns into beautiful spaces that support birds and pollinators. She’ll also provide an overview of what wetlands are and explore the many functions and values they offer — both across the landscape and right in our own backyards.
12:30pm: Gardening with Native Plants
UVM Extension Master Gardener Rita Gylys will share practical thoughts on how our yards can create pathways of ecologically important native plants to support pollinators, birds and other small animals. Interested in adding a native plant or two or ready to dedicate an entire bed to native plants? Learn the fundamentals of sustainable and eco-conscious practices, including those related to integrated pest management, composting, use of organic matters, native plant selections, and biodiversity, with the goal of creating and maintaining visually appealing gardens.
1pm: Native Plants Aren’t Magic (But They Can Be Close)
Everyone says native plants are the easy button — less watering, less fuss, more butterflies. Then you plant them and half dies or turns into a weed patch. Devon Snyder (Sedge & Soil) will give you the honest version: what actually makes a native garden thrive, and the classic rookie moves that quietly wreck it: skipping soil prep, playing “plant tetris” with the wrong site conditions, and improper maintenance. Come find out how to do it right the first time.
1:30pm: The Vermont Bee Lab
Presentation supplemented with an observation hive for viewing.
Step inside our 1890s Queen Anne Victorian Mansion full of art, gift ideas and stunning architecture. Attendees will experience our EXHIBIT “Art in Motion” including a Train Gallery with models and history, as well as Chaffee artist members’ works on display and for sale throughout the galleries, and in the Gallery Shoppe!
Join us to mingle, get creative, learn from speakers, watch demos, and experience the fun happening both inside the mansion and outside by our Gardens. If the weather doesn’t cooperate, we will move it all inside!
Garden History:
In summer 2022, we began the project of restoring the beauty of our historic grounds to match the magnificence of the mansion architecture. One part of the project was to create a Pollinator Garden of native flowers and bushes thanks to a grant from the Rutland County Audubon Society. To do this, it took an army of volunteers … thanks to everyone who made this possible!
It began with excavation by Kurt Hathaway of a 40 x 46 foot section of knotweed, as well as a 100 x 9 foot area, and a 60 x 18 foot area. Markowski Excavating donated topsoil for these areas. Volunteers planted a huge number of native plants and bushes. The 100-foot trellis fence was installed behind the pollinator garden by GE Volunteers, prepped by Rutland City and South Rotary Clubs.
Another part of this project was to create a Sculpture Garden. A 70-foot section of trellis fencing was installed by GE Volunteers, with more native plants and bushes planted among sculptures, in front is a large grass area perfect for an outdoor gathering, and to be used as an outdoor classroom for camps and classes.
Along with the new gardens, we enhanced the three gardens close to the back of the mansion creating a rain garden complete with its own potting bench; a butterfly garden; and the third got a new spirea bush and hostas. In front of the mansion are 6 gardens. The Rutland Garden Club has for years done their magic with the front four gardens closest to Route 7. We added some plants and bushes to the gardens closest to the building, planting a few rose bushes behind our stunning hydrangea’s original to the property. There are a few more gardens along the driveway lush with ferns and flowers, and one with peonies original to the property.
We hope you enjoy a stroll outside through the beautiful gardens, and plan to visit the Chaffee during Open Hours to experience the beauty of the 1890’s historic building and the wonderful works of art throughout, plus our Gallery Shoppe! While here, picture your next event, bridal shower, wedding, meeting or retreat being held in our stunning 1890’s mansion, fondly known by its first owners as Sunny Gables. We also offer our spacious and stunning outdoor area as a venue space with or without tents.
Schools, Groups and Visitors: We created these outdoor spaces for the community and visitors to enjoy while they learn about native plants, bushes and pollinator gardens. They can be used as an educational tool for area schools and bus groups, visitors as well.
Volunteers welcome! We would love to have help with weeding and keeping these amazing gardens looking spectacular. Check out this site, and our Instagram and Facebook pages for updates on events, classes and more. Call 802.775.0356, [email protected], or stop in to the Chaffee Art Center at 16 South Main Street in Rutland, VT. Summer Hours: Wednesday through Friday 10am–5pm; and Saturday 10am–3pm. Private appointments available by request.