Shelby Gardeners Club to host free art exhibit this weekend at Library

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — The Shelby Gardeners Club will be having a free art exhibit this weekend featuring all things small in the garden world.

From May 9 to 11, an exhibit at the Shelby Township Library will feature the exhibit “Teeny, Tiny Garden.” The free exhibit will feature 12-by-12-inch planters creatively designed by the club members.

The exhibit’s hours will be from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. May 9, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 10 and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 11 at the library, 52610 Van Dyke Ave.

Lois Hayward, a club member, said she got the inspiration for the tiny gardens from a garden book.

“Many people are downsizing and leaving their gardens behind, so this is a way to take those memories with them. The tiny gardens can be displayed in their homes on islands, counters or coffee tables. This project was also meant to challenge our members’ creativity in gardening and to bring back the garden show we did years ago at the previous library. We hope all enjoy it,” she said.

Heather Dzurko, another member of the club, said tiny gardens are a wonderful way to bring nature indoors, and they can bring joy to those who might not have an outdoor space to plant or who don’t have much of a green thumb.

“They are a great activity for all ages. An older person with limited physical ability can enjoy the benefits of planting and caring for their tiny gardens that sit on a table or windowsill. Children will have fun creating tiny worlds to foster their imagination, while learning to care for plants and watch them grow,” she said.

She said her garden is an example of this fantasy world.

“We had just learned a little bit about a Japanese art form called ‘ikebana,’ so my mind was on Japan when I started my tiny garden. I created a mountain peak out of paper-mache and a tea house and people out of simple modeling clay. The people in my garden represent my family, each doing an activity they enjoy (even my dog!). I became engrossed in the process, and as I put it all together, my son, Henry (21) was inspired to plant his own tiny garden, which now sits prominently in the middle of our kitchen table,” she said.

She said they have a lot of very creative people in the club, and she is really looking forward to seeing all the tiny gardens together on display at the library.

For more information, call Ivy Schwartz at (586) 873-3782, email ShelbyTwpGardenClub@gmail.com or visit shelbytwp.org/our-township/community-service-organizations/shelby-gardeners-club.