our hearts are full ...
Dear Friends,
On behalf of all of us at MWCA, I want to extend our warmest and most heartfelt thanks to everyone who attended our A Toast to the Arts Garden Party Saturday (April 26) night.
What a beautiful evening it was — made so not just by the setting at Sparrow Grove Manor, but by your presence, your spirit, and your support. Together, you created a gathering full of joy, generosity, and genuine love for the arts.
We are deeply grateful to our incredible sponsors and donors, whose generosity made this night possible. To our volunteers — thank you for the countless hours, hard work, and smiles that kept everything running smoothly. To our dedicated Board of Directors — your vision and leadership continue to lift us higher.
These volunteers deserve a special mention:
Co-chairs Kamden Ecker and Mary E. Smith and their committee of dedicated volunteers
Volunteer chair: Robbin Hast Moore
SWIICOF (she who is in charge of food): Rebecca Hails Braswell
Fundraising and most excellent 50/50 ticket seller: Amy Miller Weems
And huge thanks to Matt Ramos of Plant Sensation & CO for being our special guest
and to Tony Baker, our fabulous DJ
Most of all, thank you to *you*, our community of art lovers, for believing in our mission and for helping to build a place where creativity grows and thrives. Last night was not just a fundraiser; it was a celebration of what we can achieve together.
From the bottom of our hearts — thank you. We can’t wait to see what we’ll create next, together.
with deep appreciation,
Hope Reese
Director
On behalf of all of us at MWCA, I want to extend our warmest and most heartfelt thanks to everyone who attended our A Toast to the Arts Garden Party Saturday (April 26) night.
What a beautiful evening it was — made so not just by the setting at Sparrow Grove Manor, but by your presence, your spirit, and your support. Together, you created a gathering full of joy, generosity, and genuine love for the arts.
We are deeply grateful to our incredible sponsors and donors, whose generosity made this night possible. To our volunteers — thank you for the countless hours, hard work, and smiles that kept everything running smoothly. To our dedicated Board of Directors — your vision and leadership continue to lift us higher.
These volunteers deserve a special mention:
Co-chairs Kamden Ecker and Mary E. Smith and their committee of dedicated volunteers
Volunteer chair: Robbin Hast Moore
SWIICOF (she who is in charge of food): Rebecca Hails Braswell
Fundraising and most excellent 50/50 ticket seller: Amy Miller Weems
And huge thanks to Matt Ramos of Plant Sensation & CO for being our special guest
and to Tony Baker, our fabulous DJ
Most of all, thank you to *you*, our community of art lovers, for believing in our mission and for helping to build a place where creativity grows and thrives. Last night was not just a fundraiser; it was a celebration of what we can achieve together.
From the bottom of our hearts — thank you. We can’t wait to see what we’ll create next, together.
with deep appreciation,
Hope Reese
Director
Two events, one beautiful season ...
one down, one to go!!
Step into spring with a swirl of color, creativity, and charm! Join us in celebrating the season of renewal with two magical events that blend art, nature, and a whole lot of joy — all to support our vibrant nonprofit art center!
🌿 NATURE MEETS ART: Tour of Gardens
Saturday, May 10 | 11AM–5PM | Private Gardens of Monroe
Wander. Wonder. Be wowed.
Take a self-guided stroll through Monroe’s most charming private gardens and discover:
🎨 Artists creating beauty en plein air
📚 Talks that plant seeds of wisdom
🪴 A blooming plant sale, tree sapling giveaways, and garden design delights
🌟 Special guest: Dr. Allan Armitage — plant guru extraordinaire!
A spring day well spent for nature lovers, artists, and dreamers alike.
🎟️ TICKETS
🌼 Garden Tour: $30
Support the arts, soak up the season, and make memories that bloom. 🌷
Get your tickets now — spring won’t wait!
🧾 How to Buy:
CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS
Or stop by the Monroe-Walton Center for the Arts (205 S. Broad St. in downtown Monroe)
or call 770-207-8937
HOW TO GET YOUR MAP/GUIDE - your ticket into the gardens!
Printed ticket/maps for the GARDEN TOUR are ready to be picked up NOW! These must be picked up at the Art Center (205 South Broad Street) anytime before the event during our regular open hours.
Please keep your receipt and bring it with you when you come to pick up your map.
🌸 Make this spring unforgettable with art, nature, and community.
🎟️ Get your tickets before they’re gone!
🌿 NATURE MEETS ART: Tour of Gardens
Saturday, May 10 | 11AM–5PM | Private Gardens of Monroe
Wander. Wonder. Be wowed.
Take a self-guided stroll through Monroe’s most charming private gardens and discover:
🎨 Artists creating beauty en plein air
📚 Talks that plant seeds of wisdom
🪴 A blooming plant sale, tree sapling giveaways, and garden design delights
🌟 Special guest: Dr. Allan Armitage — plant guru extraordinaire!
A spring day well spent for nature lovers, artists, and dreamers alike.
🎟️ TICKETS
🌼 Garden Tour: $30
Support the arts, soak up the season, and make memories that bloom. 🌷
Get your tickets now — spring won’t wait!
🧾 How to Buy:
CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS
Or stop by the Monroe-Walton Center for the Arts (205 S. Broad St. in downtown Monroe)
or call 770-207-8937
HOW TO GET YOUR MAP/GUIDE - your ticket into the gardens!
Printed ticket/maps for the GARDEN TOUR are ready to be picked up NOW! These must be picked up at the Art Center (205 South Broad Street) anytime before the event during our regular open hours.
Please keep your receipt and bring it with you when you come to pick up your map.
🌸 Make this spring unforgettable with art, nature, and community.
🎟️ Get your tickets before they’re gone!
Nature Meets Art 2025 Gardens
Five private home gardens plus three special stops!
See more photos of these lovely gardens on this Facebook video - click HERE
**Come Rain, Come Shine… The Gardens Will Be Fine!**
Worried about a little weather? Don’t be!
Our Nature Meets Art Garden Tour 2025 is a rain-or-shine adventure — because a little drizzle never stopped creativity from blooming!
In fact, some say gardens look *even dreamier* with a few raindrops. Umbrellas just add flair, right?
So grab your walking shoes, your sense of wonder (and maybe a cute raincoat), and join us **Saturday, May 10** for a day of **blooms, brushes, and beautiful inspiration** — no matter what the sky’s up to.
Sunshine is great, but art and nature? *They're always in season.*
See more photos of these lovely gardens on this Facebook video - click HERE
**Come Rain, Come Shine… The Gardens Will Be Fine!**
Worried about a little weather? Don’t be!
Our Nature Meets Art Garden Tour 2025 is a rain-or-shine adventure — because a little drizzle never stopped creativity from blooming!
In fact, some say gardens look *even dreamier* with a few raindrops. Umbrellas just add flair, right?
So grab your walking shoes, your sense of wonder (and maybe a cute raincoat), and join us **Saturday, May 10** for a day of **blooms, brushes, and beautiful inspiration** — no matter what the sky’s up to.
Sunshine is great, but art and nature? *They're always in season.*
Special stops on the Tour ...
Our SPECIAL STOPS along the way on the Garden Tour are:
Walton County Master Gardeners Experiential Learning Garden and Greenhouse
The Master Gardeners of Walton County will give tours of their greenhouse and their experiential learning garden area, which includes an 1100 sq ft pollinator garden, as well as a vegetable garden area, which is comprised of various types of raised beds and signage showing the costs and durability of each type of raised bed to show the community various options available to them. We have areas for row crops and 4-H students to grow watermelons and pumpkins, and leftover vegetables will be donated to local Grow-A-Row and Food RX programs. Any plants leftover from the Master Gardeners' Plant Sale on April 11 and 12 will be available for sale. Scott Prophett, certified arborist with Bartlett Tree Experts, will join us to talk about trees and answer any tree questions that you may have. Scott will be bringing 300 saplings which will be available for free until supplies run out - only for Tour ticket holders!
Growers Outlet Benefit Plant Sale
Held in the meadow beside Penny Anderson's home, you'll find 100's of beautiful plants ... and expert help from world-renown horticulturalist, Dr. Allan Armitage (from 11 - 3). Growers Outlet generously donates the money raised through the plant sale to MWCA - thank you, Growers Outlet!!
Wellspring Flower Farm
Wellspring Farm began in 1981 when a grandfather, father, and son decided to move out of the city and purchase a piece of land to call home. They spent years creating the farm it is today, cultivating almost 100 acres and raising cattle, horses, and even cotton. Now, they utilize their rich, fertile ground to grow a vast array of spectacular blooms in shades of every color. They meticulously care for each flower on the farm, cultivating and harvesting the stems by hand to ensure you get the best quality possible. Wellspring Farm offers retail and wholesale flowers and a seasonal shop with fresh bouquets and gifts. They also sell DIY wedding bunches and florist bunches at wholesale prices.
Walton County Master Gardeners Experiential Learning Garden and Greenhouse
The Master Gardeners of Walton County will give tours of their greenhouse and their experiential learning garden area, which includes an 1100 sq ft pollinator garden, as well as a vegetable garden area, which is comprised of various types of raised beds and signage showing the costs and durability of each type of raised bed to show the community various options available to them. We have areas for row crops and 4-H students to grow watermelons and pumpkins, and leftover vegetables will be donated to local Grow-A-Row and Food RX programs. Any plants leftover from the Master Gardeners' Plant Sale on April 11 and 12 will be available for sale. Scott Prophett, certified arborist with Bartlett Tree Experts, will join us to talk about trees and answer any tree questions that you may have. Scott will be bringing 300 saplings which will be available for free until supplies run out - only for Tour ticket holders!
Growers Outlet Benefit Plant Sale
Held in the meadow beside Penny Anderson's home, you'll find 100's of beautiful plants ... and expert help from world-renown horticulturalist, Dr. Allan Armitage (from 11 - 3). Growers Outlet generously donates the money raised through the plant sale to MWCA - thank you, Growers Outlet!!
Wellspring Flower Farm
Wellspring Farm began in 1981 when a grandfather, father, and son decided to move out of the city and purchase a piece of land to call home. They spent years creating the farm it is today, cultivating almost 100 acres and raising cattle, horses, and even cotton. Now, they utilize their rich, fertile ground to grow a vast array of spectacular blooms in shades of every color. They meticulously care for each flower on the farm, cultivating and harvesting the stems by hand to ensure you get the best quality possible. Wellspring Farm offers retail and wholesale flowers and a seasonal shop with fresh bouquets and gifts. They also sell DIY wedding bunches and florist bunches at wholesale prices.
During the Garden Tour on May 10
Come meet Dr. Allan Armitage, our guest speaker at The Garden Tour on May 10. He will be on hand to answer your garden questions from 11am - 3pm during the benefit plant sale hosted by GROWERS OUTLET at the Anderson home. Dr. A will also have two brief talks about "Common Sense Gardening" at noon and 2pm. His books will be available, too!
Serious gardeners know well Dr. Armitage's name, work, books and honors, but just in case you're new to gardening, here is a little introduction to Dr. Armitage.
Dr. Armitage is Emeritus Professor of Horticulture at the University of Georgia (retired 2014). He is a well known writer, speaker, and horticulturist. Born and raised in Quebec and Ontario, Allan now resides in Athens, GA. He has worked with gardeners, landscapers, growers and retailers in the North and South, and travels the world sharing his passion for plants. He has been presented with almost every prestigious horticultural award for his writing and work.
Allan has written 17 books, countless academic papers and hundreds of articles for both professional and weekend gardeners alike.
To view informative, and instructional short videos filmed in his personal garden, visit his YouTube channel. To learn more, visit his website, too!
Come meet Dr. Allan Armitage, our guest speaker at The Garden Tour on May 10. He will be on hand to answer your garden questions from 11am - 3pm during the benefit plant sale hosted by GROWERS OUTLET at the Anderson home. Dr. A will also have two brief talks about "Common Sense Gardening" at noon and 2pm. His books will be available, too!
Serious gardeners know well Dr. Armitage's name, work, books and honors, but just in case you're new to gardening, here is a little introduction to Dr. Armitage.
Dr. Armitage is Emeritus Professor of Horticulture at the University of Georgia (retired 2014). He is a well known writer, speaker, and horticulturist. Born and raised in Quebec and Ontario, Allan now resides in Athens, GA. He has worked with gardeners, landscapers, growers and retailers in the North and South, and travels the world sharing his passion for plants. He has been presented with almost every prestigious horticultural award for his writing and work.
Allan has written 17 books, countless academic papers and hundreds of articles for both professional and weekend gardeners alike.
To view informative, and instructional short videos filmed in his personal garden, visit his YouTube channel. To learn more, visit his website, too!
🌸🎉 **VOLUNTEERS NEEDED – JOIN THE FUN!** 🎉🌸
We're gearing up for our two big **WELCOME SPRING** events at **Monroe-Walton Center for the Arts** — and we need your helping hands and smiling faces!
🌿 **NATURE MEETS ART: Garden Tour**
📅 Saturday, May 10 | Daytime Event
🌼 A self-guided tour of gorgeous local gardens with artistic flair!
Please use THIS SIGNUP if you are interested in helping with the GARDEN TOUR on 5/10
We need **LOTS of volunteers** for both — and guess what?
🎟️ **Volunteers receive a FREE TICKET** to the event you're helping with, to enjoy during your "off hours"!
Whether you love greeting guests, helping with check-in, guiding visitors, or assisting artists, there's a role for you. It’s a great way to support MWCA, have fun, and be part of our biggest spring traditions.
💌 **Interested?** Use the SIGNUP Forms listed above. Let’s make magic happen — together! 🌞🌷
We're gearing up for our two big **WELCOME SPRING** events at **Monroe-Walton Center for the Arts** — and we need your helping hands and smiling faces!
🌿 **NATURE MEETS ART: Garden Tour**
📅 Saturday, May 10 | Daytime Event
🌼 A self-guided tour of gorgeous local gardens with artistic flair!
Please use THIS SIGNUP if you are interested in helping with the GARDEN TOUR on 5/10
We need **LOTS of volunteers** for both — and guess what?
🎟️ **Volunteers receive a FREE TICKET** to the event you're helping with, to enjoy during your "off hours"!
Whether you love greeting guests, helping with check-in, guiding visitors, or assisting artists, there's a role for you. It’s a great way to support MWCA, have fun, and be part of our biggest spring traditions.
💌 **Interested?** Use the SIGNUP Forms listed above. Let’s make magic happen — together! 🌞🌷
Plein Air Painters
paint or draw outside in the gardens during the Garden Tour on 5/10. You may wish to sell your works (if you work smaller and faster!).
Please use THIS SIGNUP if you are interested in being one of our garden painters.
Plein air painters paint for half of the time during the tour (three hours). They will receive a free ticket to the Tour to enjoy the gardens for the other three hours.
paint or draw outside in the gardens during the Garden Tour on 5/10. You may wish to sell your works (if you work smaller and faster!).
Please use THIS SIGNUP if you are interested in being one of our garden painters.
Plein air painters paint for half of the time during the tour (three hours). They will receive a free ticket to the Tour to enjoy the gardens for the other three hours.
Please read these guidelines before making your purchase:
- Purchase of the ticket is an agreement to assume full responsibility for any personal injury and that both MWCA and the property owner are not liable for any injuries or accidents which may be incurred during the tour.
- Purchase of tickets is required for all attendees; *recommended* age limit for children is age 10 or older for the Garden Tour.
- A Toast to the Arts is an adults-only event.
- All guests must have a ticket. Please do not lose your ticket! It will not be replaced.
- NO REFUNDS
- These are rain or shine events!
- FOR THE GARDEN TOUR: We recommend walking shoes and comfortable clothing. This is an outdoor experience. Gardens may have pebble, mulch or uneven walkways and steep inclines. Be mindful of these.
- No Pets, No Food & Drink, No Strollers
- Public restrooms are available only at MWCA, not in the private homes.
- Please leave the gardens as you found them; do not pick the flowers
- PARKING: Be mindful of traffic on narrow streets so that no driveways are blocked and emergency vehicles have room to pass. Do not park on the grass unless approved by the homeowner. If possible park in one of the nearby public parking lots and walk to the garden on the sidewalk.
- Please follow instructions given by the Volunteer Docents.
please support our generous and community-minded sponsors ... See THIS PAGE if you'd like to sponsor our non-profit community arts center!
- Animal Care Hospital at Bold Springs: Facebook page or website
- Fit Fiddles: Facebook page
- Grower's Outlet: website or Facebook page
- Johns' Supermarket: website
- Piedmont-Walton Hospital: website
- Rust and Dust Antiques: Facebook page
- Sidestreet Boutique: Facebook page
- The Brown Fig: Facebook page
- Wayfarer Hotel and Events: website
- Wyrick Mechanical: website
thanks also to ...
- Elaine Dillard, graphic artist
- Walton County Master Gardeners
- Zach Coffman, videographer
