Article About Native Plants As Part of the Sustainable Landscape

We would like to give a very big thank you to Scott LaFleur and Tom Smarr of The New England Wild Flower Society for writing our latest online consumer article "How Native Plants Work as Part of the Sustainable Landscape". This article can be viewed at our Find A Landscape Pro wiki website.

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New Speakers Bureau

The Underground is currently developing a Speakers Bureau and will be providing listings on our 'Find A Landscape Professional' wiki website. All speakers must be members in good standing of The Underground. To add your speaker listing please visit our website and fill out our form.

Garden Ornamentation Workshop with Marie Stella and Artisans

Photos credit: Charlotte Fleetwood

Garden ornamentation has been integral to private and public garden spaces for more than two thousand years. In this "Garden Ornamentation Workshop" we examined the history of garden ornamentation, materials that are commonly used, and how fine garden art can be incorporated into your landscape projects. Our presentation was followed by a studio visit, artisan demonstrations and a self-guided tour of local installations.

Guest Presenter: Marie Stella, Kirin Farm Enterprises, Inc., Charlemont, MA
Guest Artisans: Ray Ciemny, Artist/Blacksmith and Doug Patten, Artist/Stone Carver, Groton, MA

Fine garden ornamentation adds a sense of embellishment to an existing garden. Using one-of-a kind pieces can establish a new sense of peace or provide a complete makeover for the garden. Incorporating extraordinary furnishings and art of the past or present can create a sense of ambiance and mood or establish a focal point that demands attention. It can draw people into the garden, frame an important view or anchor a perennial bed. It can create unity and harmony in a garden that might not otherwise exist.

In this workshop we looked at ways that we can enhance our landscape plans and add that special finishing touch to our projects.

Following our slide presentation we drove a short distance to visit a local studio to see wrought iron forging and stone carving demonstrations and talk with the artisans about their craft.

Marie Stella - MA, MS, is a landscape historian and designer. Her design firm, Kirin Farm Enterprises, Inc., specializes in historic gardens and environmental landscapes. She is on the faculty of the Landscape Institute, Arnold Arboretum, Harvard University, and adjunct faculty at the New York Botanical Garden, Tower Hill Botanic Garden, The Institute of Ecosystem Studies, and Cooper Union.

Ray Ciemny (Artisan/Blacksmith) - Ray received his initial professional art training at the Massachusetts College of Art. He worked as an illustrator and founded a computer design studio. When he first touched hammer to iron, however he knew this was his true passion. Mr. Ciemny began an apprenticeship with Master Blacksmith William Senseney of Williamstown, MA in 1987. Following years of honing his craft, Mr. Ciemny now offers his personal vision of the fusion of Art and Craft. http://www.ArtisanIron.com

Doug Patten (Artisan/Stone Carver) - DM Patten began carving small wooden objects as a young boy. While in his twenties he discovered stone sculpting and was instantly hooked. Over the years he has developed his own style and methods for working in various native stones. His skills are primarily self taught from readings and occasional conversations with old timers who practiced this craft many years ago. Patten’s work is peppered throughout Groton, the surrounding communities and beyond.

Thank you to Charlotte Fleetwood for providing her digital photos taken at this workshop.