Table Rock Art Guild hosts reception showcasing garden art

On Saturday, June 20, several members of the Table Rock Art Guild partnered with the Master Gardeners of the Ozarks to help welcome visitors to eight private Stone County gardens for the Annual Garden Tour. As a new feature of the Tour this year, each garden featured at least one painter or photographer from TRAG capturing the beauty in real time. Their art was showcased at a June 30 reception at the Table Rock Art Gallery in Claybough Plaza in Branson West, with guests dropping by to enjoy refreshments and the inspirational results of the Plein Aire collaboration. 

The gardens included several in the Stonebridge community and down DD highway, each with its own unique touches including a Stumpery and Fairy Garden as well as a sprawling country garden filled with both edibles and ornamentals. Along with browsing the gardens themselves, guests could pause to watch canvases blossom with color or photographers setting up the perfect shot of gorgeous spring and summer blooms nestled into inspirational garden designs. 

At the reception, it was fun to compare the different approaches: Some photographs and paintings reflected up-close observation as different artists’ creative eyes caught different details, while others captured a wider view. Some of the flower colors were so striking that more than one person decided to capture them, using different media. 

One artist commented that it was new for her to interact with visitors and observe their reactions while simultaneously maintaining her inspiration and focus, but that it was an experience she very much enjoyed. Members of both groups said they hope to collaborate again in the future. 

The following artists participated in the project: 

Karen Slings 

Sharon Adcock 

Diana Budler 

Kim Briggs 

Debbie Bridges 

Tammy Fink 

Karen Pugh 

Mary Lauren 

Jesica Jerrera-Lauren 

Judy Musch 

Darla Earll 

Brent Stewart 

Don Haberman 

Gus Robben 

Diane Robben 

Both the Table Rock Art Guild and the Master Gardeners of the Ozarks offer a great way for area residents who enjoy creating and nurturing beauty to do so while simultaneously enjoying fellowship and learning opportunities with others. Both groups also turn that creativity into something the entire community can enjoy: A variety of art is available to view and purchase at Table Rock Art Gallery, and Master Gardeners projects are helping beautify several public spaces across Taney and Stone County. Learn more and get involved by visiting https://mgozarks.org and https://tablerockartgallery.org.