Artz and Gardenz Art Tour

Teresa Wooden, Stone Forest Pottery, Holland
Teresa Wooden, Stone Forest Pottery, Holland. Photo: KELSEY SMITH

Find fine art and foliage in West Michigan

By Kelsey Smith

Teresa Wooden does what she loves every single day. This year, she’s sharing that passion with the West Michigan community.

During Mother’s Day weekend, between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. on May 13 and 14, six local artists are opening their studios and gardens to the public for an Artz and Gardenz Art Tour.

The tour includes a stop at Summerhouse Lavender Farm in Fennville, and six stops at studios in Holland, Saugatuck, Douglas and Hamilton. Artists include Wooden, Mike Taylor, Jill Lareaux, Marcia Perry, Cynthia McKean and Dawn Stafford.

“Everybody on the tour is inspired by nature, and they have created a little natural paradise for themselves in their studio spaces,” Wooden said. “It’s nice for people to be able to see inside a professional studio and see how a creative person works, but also see what feeds their spirit.”

As the owner of Stone Forest Pottery, Wooden will be demonstrating how to “throw” (clay) on a potter’s wheel, and her art will be on display during the tour.

The Artz and Gardenz Art Tour developed from Wooden’s desire to share her work at an open house during the spring, as a special way to celebrate and spend time with mothers. Once word caught on, the other artists joined in to form the tour.

“I just wanted to share what I do,” Wooden said. “I get really excited about it. I love nature, my garden and I love what I do. I really look forward to sharing that with people.”

Wooden’s garden is not like many others. The rooftop garden above her underground home features perennials, lavender and a straw bale vegetable garden.

Guest artists will be at each stop on the tour, giving visitors a full experience.

“It’s terrific, you can see more than one thing at each stop, and you can do the whole tour in about 34 miles,” Wooden said. “We’re keeping it right here and local.”

Visitors can purchase garden plants, flowers and artwork at the stops as well.

Artz and Gardenz Art Tour
artzandgardenz.com

Rooftop garden, Artz and Gardenz Art Tour, Holland
Rooftop garden, Artz and Gardenz Art Tour, Holland. Photo: Teresa Wooden