Two fabulous events to welcome spring with us!
Join us in the garden to raise funds for MWCA -- your local non-profit arts center! Both events help us raise funds needed to keep our doors open -- to assist with keeping class costs as low as possible, to purchase supplies, make improvements, and to serve our special needs community at no or low-cost. We're growing and working hard to serve our community with creativity, beauty and a commitment to excellence. Take a look at our 2024 Impact Report HERE if you'd like to have a glimpse of the good things we do.
Come to one event ... or come to both! Special savings on your ticket if you attend both events.
Come to one event ... or come to both! Special savings on your ticket if you attend both events.
TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW! Early bird prices from now through March 31: Click HERE - or visit the art center ~ OR ~
call us at 770-207-8937
call us at 770-207-8937
Saturday, April 26:
A Toast to the Arts Garden Party from 7pm - 10pm
Chaired by Kamden Ecker and Mary Smith
You’ll enjoy a fun night out – wine tasting, hors d'oeuvres, music and dancing, and an exclusive silent auction that raises critical money for MWCA. Join us to fundraise for the arts and enjoy one of the most memorable evenings in Monroe. Email Kamden if you'd like to help: [email protected]
A Toast to the Arts Garden Party from 7pm - 10pm
Chaired by Kamden Ecker and Mary Smith
- Food | Drinks | Entertainment | Silent Auction
- Held at Sparrow Grove Manor in Monroe
- Special guest: Matt Ramos of Plant Sensations
You’ll enjoy a fun night out – wine tasting, hors d'oeuvres, music and dancing, and an exclusive silent auction that raises critical money for MWCA. Join us to fundraise for the arts and enjoy one of the most memorable evenings in Monroe. Email Kamden if you'd like to help: [email protected]
Saturday, May 10:
Nature Meets Art Garden Tour from 11 am - 5 pm
Chaired by Barbara Barth
Five private gardens
Three additional venues
NATURE MEETS ART Garden Tour, an inspiring and beautiful foray into the loveliest gardens in the area. Email Barbara if you'd like to help: [email protected]
Nature Meets Art Garden Tour from 11 am - 5 pm
Chaired by Barbara Barth
Five private gardens
Three additional venues
- Growers Outlet plant sale (to benefit MWCA)
- Special Guest: Dr. Allan Armitage
NATURE MEETS ART Garden Tour, an inspiring and beautiful foray into the loveliest gardens in the area. Email Barbara if you'd like to help: [email protected]
TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW! Early bird prices from now through March 31: Click HERE - or visit the art center ~ OR ~
call us at 770-207-8937
call us at 770-207-8937
Tickets:
Early bird prize:
The first 75 people to buy a COMBO ticket or a GARDEN PARTY only ticket (April 26) get a free hand-painted wine glass, one per ticket purchased. These are beautifully painted by our volunteer-artists! Original art on a wine glass! Dishwasher safe (although hand-washing is preferred).
EARLY BIRD PRICE March 1 - 31
REGULAR PRICE (April 1 until we sell out!!)
HOW TO GET YOUR TICKETS:
FOR THE GARDEN PARTY ON APRIL 26:
Your receipt acts as your ticket into the GARDEN PARTY. Please keep up with your printed receipt if you purchase in person or emailed receipt if you buy online.
FOR THE GARDEN TOUR ON MAY 10:
Printed ticket/maps for the GARDEN TOUR will be ready by May 1. 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 ticket.
Early bird prize:
The first 75 people to buy a COMBO ticket or a GARDEN PARTY only ticket (April 26) get a free hand-painted wine glass, one per ticket purchased. These are beautifully painted by our volunteer-artists! Original art on a wine glass! Dishwasher safe (although hand-washing is preferred).
EARLY BIRD PRICE March 1 - 31
- $40 for A Toast to the Arts Garden Party on April 26
- $25 for Nature Meets Art Garden Tour on May 10
- Combo ticket to both events: $60
REGULAR PRICE (April 1 until we sell out!!)
- $45 for A Toast to the Arts Garden Party on April 26
- $30 for Nature Meets Art Garden Tour on May 10
- Combo ticket for both events: $70
HOW TO GET YOUR TICKETS:
FOR THE GARDEN PARTY ON APRIL 26:
Your receipt acts as your ticket into the GARDEN PARTY. Please keep up with your printed receipt if you purchase in person or emailed receipt if you buy online.
FOR THE GARDEN TOUR ON MAY 10:
Printed ticket/maps for the GARDEN TOUR will be ready by May 1. 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 ticket.
Bee a friend to our garden events to help us out!
~~MWCA is Walton County's only non-profit community art center~~ see our Impact Report HERE:
Donations are tax-deductible
Donations will be used to offset the costs of our garden party (April 26) and garden tour (May 10) -- tents & food and more for these exciting and beautiful events!
Any extra donations will go into our general fund to help us:
Our BEE FRIENDS will be listed on our website.
Every little bit makes a big difference. Thank you for giving to MWCA!!
~~MWCA is Walton County's only non-profit community art center~~ see our Impact Report HERE:
Donations are tax-deductible
Donations will be used to offset the costs of our garden party (April 26) and garden tour (May 10) -- tents & food and more for these exciting and beautiful events!
Any extra donations will go into our general fund to help us:
- keep our class fees as low as we can
- cover the costs of free community events
- cover the costs of our healing arts programs (special needs classes, Art Therapy, Artistic Shelter & ART MD healing art kits)
- DONATE HERE - thank you!
Our BEE FRIENDS will be listed on our website.
Every little bit makes a big difference. Thank you for giving to MWCA!!
Our SILENT AUCTION will be held Saturday, April 26 at the Garden Party
We are accepting donations through April 11.
Promote your business and support local arts through our Spring Events -- thank you!
Email Kamden by April 11 if you'd like to donate to our Silent Auction.
Here's a highlight of some of the amazing items you don't want to miss!
At this writing on 2/16/2025, we have:
We are accepting donations through April 11.
Promote your business and support local arts through our Spring Events -- thank you!
Email Kamden by April 11 if you'd like to donate to our Silent Auction.
Here's a highlight of some of the amazing items you don't want to miss!
At this writing on 2/16/2025, we have:
- Art and jewelry by our artist-members
- Various Gift baskets filled with fun gift cards and more
- Wine, Bourbon
- and more!
Special Guest at The Toast to the Arts Garden Party:
Matt Ramos, owner of Plant Sensations in downtown Monroe
Matthew Ramos' expert knowledge of plants and design inform his plans for lush garden containers and floral arrangements. Matt finds inspiration in every detail. With a keen eye for the arts and a passion for plants, his creations blend nature and beauty into everything he designs.
Matt Ramos, owner of Plant Sensations in downtown Monroe
Matthew Ramos' expert knowledge of plants and design inform his plans for lush garden containers and floral arrangements. Matt finds inspiration in every detail. With a keen eye for the arts and a passion for plants, his creations blend nature and beauty into everything he designs.
VOLUNTEER and get in free!
Please use THIS SIGNUP if you are interested in helping with the GARDEN PARTY on 4/26
Helpers/Servers for A Toast to the Arts Garden Party on 4/26 (pre-event set up, during the event, and end-of-event clean up)
* You will be asked to work for approximately two hours.
Please use THIS SIGNUP if you are interested in helping with the GARDEN TOUR on 5/10
* Garden Volunteers work one shift of either 10:45 - 2 or 1:45 - 5
As a THANK YOU, Volunteers will get free admittance to the event they volunteer for to enjoy the event during their "off" hours.
Please use THIS SIGNUP if you are interested in helping with the GARDEN PARTY on 4/26
Helpers/Servers for A Toast to the Arts Garden Party on 4/26 (pre-event set up, during the event, and end-of-event clean up)
* You will be asked to work for approximately two hours.
Please use THIS SIGNUP if you are interested in helping with the GARDEN TOUR on 5/10
* Garden Volunteers work one shift of either 10:45 - 2 or 1:45 - 5
As a THANK YOU, Volunteers will get free admittance to the event they volunteer for to enjoy the event during their "off" hours.
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
See more photos of these lovely gardens on this Facebook video - click HERE
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!
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
- 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
