The Gardens of Woodstock is a nursery and mini Eden tucked and quietly lavishing in the McHenry County countryside, making it the perfect location to host Sun City’s Pencil & Pallet Club’s Art Show in My Secret Garden. (Photo by Chris LaPelusa/Sun Day)
Whoever said art needs to hang on walls? Why not in a garden? This is just what you’ll find 3 to 8 p.m. Saturday, September 18, at the Art Show in My Secret Garden, where the Sun City Pencil & Pallet Club will display their original fine art at the Gardens of Woodstock.
The Gardens of Woodstock is located at 5211 Swanson Road near the Rt. 47 and Rt. 176W intersection in Woodstock. Truly a secret tucked away in the McHenry County countryside, The Gardens of Woodstock offers the Pencil & Pallet Club the perfect backdrop to not only feature the talents of its members but to create the perfect and creative atmosphere for an eventful evening where attendees may enjoy a glass of wine, a fountain pouring brown silks of chocolate to dip into, and the relaxing jazz of the Blue Skies trio among high-quality art, serene gardens, ponds, quaint sitting areas, and the trickle of streams.
In the Art Room, Art Show in My Secret Garden Organizer Mary Blasko (background) works on an oil painting. (Photo by Chris LaPelusa/Sun Day)
When Art Show in My Secret Garden Organizer and Pencil & Palett Marketing Coordinator Mary Blasko, N.14, first saw The Gardens of Woodstock on a referral by fellow club member Larel Sroka, she said, “We [have] to go here. It’s [The Gardens of Woodstock] is absolutely enchanting. It’s a work of love.”
And like The Gardens of Woodstock Owner Mike Balleto has spent years nurturing this family-run Eden into colorful splendor, the Pencil & Pallet Club has matched that in creativity just as lively, making the pairing a natural fit.
Soon after discovering The Gardens of Woodstock, Blasko led a plein air (French for painting outside) class for the Pencil & Pallet Club there.
What: Art show featuring original fine art by the Sun City Pencil & Pallet Club
When: 3 to 8 p.m. Saturday, September 18
Where: The Gardens of Woodstock, located at 5211 Swanson Road near the Rt. 47 and Rt. 176W intersection in Woodstock
Open: To general public
Entertainment: Blue Skies Trio (jazz)
“It’s eye candy for the artist,” said Blasko. “You don’t know where to look. There’s so much there.”
Deciding The Gardens of Woodstock would be a perfect backdrop for an art show Blasko approached Balleto with the idea.
“It’s a great setting [for an art show] because of the nature of the paintings and drawings and [other art]. It adds to the interest,” Balleto said. “We’re very happy to host [the show].”
Balleto said that time of day played an important role in developing the Art Show in My Secret Garden. By hosting it between the hours of 3 and 8 p.m., the natural progress of light will offer guests of the show a setting with movement and transitioning light.
“It’s so people have an experience that’s really unique,” Balleto said.
Close to thirty Pencil & Pallet Club members will display their work at the show, Blasko said. And some of the work will be for sale.
Pencil & Pallet Club Activities Committee Co-Chair Celeste Sullivan of N.30 said that with the help of Balleto’s sponsorship, planning the show has fallen into place with ease, only magnifying the club’s collective excitement.
“It’s been,” Sullivan said, “serendipitous all the way.”
