On Saturday, June 10, the Tom Thomson Art Gallery will host a Pollinator Symposium organized by the OPEN Team and with the partnership of community collaborators led by artist and environmental advocate Liz Zetlin.  All are welcome and it is free to attend.

The Pollinator Symposium will provide an important opportunity for people to learn more about what they can do to support our local ecosystem.

The OPEN Team has collaboratively worked with the community on several important projects, including supporting the development and launch of a Pollinator Corridor initiative for Owen Sound. The concept of a Pollinator Corridor and the impact of re-introducing native plants will be explored at the Symposium, which will feature talks by two Master Gardeners: Elizabeth Brims from Pollinate the Blue Mountains at 11 a.m. and Jennifer Deeks, who is a local expert, at 4 p.m.

The Gallery will also welcome Curator Shannon Anderson for a talk on the Art Gallery’s new exhibition, Sara Angelucci: Undergrowth at 2 p.m. The exhibition features large-scale, interwoven images of native and invasive plants, which point to the intense impacts and struggles that endure because of colonization and persistent colonial attitudes.The series Nocturnal Botanical Ontario comes from her acute desire to comprehend and explore vulnerable habitats and our role in interrupting the natural balance; it documents the vegetation surrounding her home and studio in the Pretty River Valley, part of the Niagara Escarpment. The exhibition continues until August 26.

Following Saturday’s talks, there will be a Launch Reception at 5 p.m. for Pollinate Owen Sound and a celebration of the River District Blooms project with remarks, light fare, and a cash bar.

The OPEN Team, along with the Pollinate Owen Sound group, will have a native plant installation located in a canoe just outside the Farmer’s Market as part of River District Blooms, which runs June 9 – 18. 

source: TOM Facebook page