 Photograph: Miranda Tagliafierro - West Point Grey Community Centre Pre-SchoolDue to early spring protocols of Covid-19, it was difficult for the artists to get out to the garden when the tulips bloomed and document the Liberation Poppy Garden. We are grateful that teacher Miss Miranda was able to capture a photograph of the garden. These poppies were part of the Remembrance of the 75th Anniversary of the Liberation of the Netherlands by Canadian Forces during World War 2.
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 Every year in late May, LocoMotoArt begins a garden and art project with the West Point Grey Community Centre Pre-School students. However, this year due to the current COVID situation, the students are not in session. We wanted to grow a plant for this year's garden that would provide some flexibility and be there once students were to start back to school. We decided on the blueberry as a perennial plant that can grow throughout the seasons. No matter which season it is, the plant offers the students an opportunity to participate in garden and related art projects. We also believe that the plant has value during discussions with students when explaining important elements about change, cycles, and return, as associated to their experiences related to stay-at-home protocols and coming to school.   November 7, 2019: The West Point Grey Community Centre Pre-School students, under the guidance of VBP McBride Residence artist, Laura Lee Coles, planted Canadian Liberation Tulips in the Aberthau Community Garden in remembrance of the 75th liberation of the Netherlands by Canadian Forces. The students first learned where the Netherlands was on the globe, and were introduced to the significance of the the symbolic gesture from the Netherlands to create a red liberation tulip to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands in 1945 by Canadian troops. Photos: Rob Scharein
    We've ordered our seeds and soon will be planting a garden with the pre-schoolers to grow, harvest, dry and decorate large gourds to make birdhouses. These birdhouses will be placed around the garden at Aberthau/West Point Grey Community Centre and the nearby urban forest of Jericho Park. The students got their seeds planted, and afterwards we had a few days of rain and sun. Looking forward to the plants emerging growing strong on the trellis. EARLY GROWTH CYCLE: The students planted their birdhouse gourds on June 8 in a light rain. Within the next few days the garden experienced warm sunny days and we have little plants started. One month from planting and about 8" in height
  The artists left the garden patch to sprout white clover while a drip irrigation system was installed. White clover is a huge attractor of bees. But most importantly this simple green is edible: leaves, stems, flowers, and seed pods. Dried or fresh the leaves and flowers can be used in raw salads or dried and used in baked goods. Often the white clover blossom is dried as a healthy tea.  On April 21, in celebration of Earth Day, the Bush Bean Garden was begun by resident artist Laura Lee Coles. On May Day, May 1, the 4 year old pre-school class plant their beans. What is exciting is the BOUNTIFUL HEIRLOOM will produce beans in 46 days! Watch our progress.At the conclusion of the season for the pumpkin garden, the students of West Point Grey Pre-School enjoyed decorating the nine pumpkins they grew. With the help of teachers and resident artist Laura Lee Coles, amazing Halloween creations emerged! Photos: Laura Lee Coles THE FINISHED PUMPKINS.......              
In May, the Pre-schoolers of West Point Grey Community Centre planted 14 starter pumpkin plants in hopes of growing pumpkins to carve into Jack-o-Lanterns this October. Please enjoy the photographic slide show below depicting the progression of the growth of the pumpkins from planting to final stages. SLIDE SHOW OF PROGRESS OF THE PUMPKINS After the success of the Sunflower Garden Project, LocoMotoArt artist Laura Lee Coles planted spring bulbs with the pre-schoolers in November of 2015. It was a frosty day, and the children loved forming three teams of planters and choosing their names: The Transformers, The Raiders and The Princesses. From February - April the garden sported purple crocus, yellow daffodils and a variety of tulips. The children decided not to pick them and leave them up so that everyone could enjoy them. Please see the gallery of photos below depicting the garden throughout the spring growing season. The final day of the garden: Preparing for the Pumpkin Garden Project: Stay tuned!!!!! |
