Community artists were recognized at the January board meeting of the Vallecitos Water District for contributions of their artwork to the District’s Sustainable Demonstration Garden.

“Artwork is a wonderful addition to any garden, as it still sparkles when the plants are going through their dormancy period,” said garden creator Lisa Urabe, a UC Master Gardener and recently retired Vallecitos employee. She explains that the artwork also helps draw more attention to the garden, introducing residents to the value of sustainable gardening.

Contributing artists span multiple generations, from a Brownie troop with members ages five to eight years old, to a painter who beautified the garden’s Seed Library, who is age 97.

Meet the artists who donated their time and talent on behalf of the Vallecitos Water District.

Virginia Ryba, Ceramics Artist

 

Vallecitos staff discovered beautiful ceramic birdhouses at the San Marcos Senior Center during an outreach event and contacted artist Virginia Ryba to inquire about purchasing a birdhouse for the Sustainable Demonstration Garden. Ryba said it would be her honor to donate one.

Ryba selected a birdhouse with a roof she crafted by imprinting the leaves from sunflower plants in her garden. Ryba shows her ceramics art at local North County events, including the San Marcos Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. See Ryba’s work at the Valley Center Ceramics Instagram page.

Members of Girl Scout Troop 65091 and Brownie Troop 1765

Kristine Chau brought local Girl Scouts and homeschoolers for a tour of the Sustainable Demonstration Garden as part of a project earning badges for the “Wonders of Water Journey,” including a “Save Water” Award. During the tour, the girls participated in a “tea party” where they each brought a teacup and filled it with succulents and gems, creating their own garden art to take home.

After the tour, Chau and the scouts came up with the idea of converting a native “bee box” into a portable seed library and donating it. “The design on the seed library incorporates elements of water and nature, utilizing some Waldorf art techniques,” explained Chau. Vallecitos staff uses the portable seed library at outreach events.

In addition, Chau’s daughters Arya and Mila created items for a fairy garden and added painted stones to show how a water-wise garden could be fun and kid-friendly.

“She was inspired by how much she plays in our own fairy garden, which came about organically, starting with just a bunch of nature items. She hopes the fairy garden will bring joy to any children visiting the garden at Vallecitos Water District,” said the proud scout leader and mom.

Ann Kreile, Painter and Artist

After a presentation at Palomar Estates West mobile home park in San Marcos, Vallecitos Water District staff toured the property, including its community garden. It was decorated with beautiful artwork. The artist is resident Ann Kreile. When contacted, the 97-year-old avid gardener was thrilled to contribute her artwork for display in the Sustainable Demonstration Garden.

Kreile also repainted the district’s Native Seed Library, which had faded from the sun. She also painted a new garden library sign to draw more attention to the District’s garden book library and created an additional sign that the District plans to customize with a water-wise message.

Master Gardeners Association of San Diego

Urabe recruited talented artists among fellow members of the Master Gardeners Association of San Diego to beautify a planned display of water and sewer pipes typically used in residential neighborhoods. She obtained scrap pipe materials, and three Master Gardeners, including Urabe, decorated the pipes with mosaic work.

Association President Heather Holland said member volunteer efforts, including their arts outreach, are part of the Association’s mission to teach science-based gardening and sustainability techniques to people of all ages and backgrounds throughout San Diego County.

“Our 350 volunteers help educate our community through schools, community gardens, churches, hospitals, memory care centers, correctional facilities, and social media, including projects like the Vallecitos Demonstration Garden. Our work impacts San Diego in a multitude of positive ways, one garden at a time,” said Holland.

Each pipe has its own theme: Ocean, created by Lisa Urabe; Waterwise Landscape, created by Kimberlee Kelso; and Wildflowers, created by Judy MacKenzie.

MacKenzie runs the art studio for the Master Gardeners Association and teaches many of the classes. Kelso is the school garden coordinator at San Marcos Elementary School. The Vallecitos Water District has provided supplies for the school’s garden to encourage the next generation to embrace water-wise gardening.