August News from the Garden |
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Letter from the Executive Director |
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Greetings!
I hope this note finds you well and enjoying the dog days of summer. We're sending an abbreviated newsletter this month. Not that there isn't anything going on at the Garden...
July activities in the Garden were highlighted by the installation of Dixie Friend Gay's mosaic mural, "Enduring moment," August has been dominated by the continued installation of a foot bridge to the North Dry Garden. The bridge was designed by Andrew Vrana, principal of Metalab, a firm he co-founded with Joe Meppelink. Andrew also happens to have been a student of John Fairey's in the architecture department at Texas A&M University.
I approached Andrew several years ago and asked if he'd consider designing a bridge for the Garden, pro-bono. He eagerly accepted the invitation as a means of honoring John, who had been an important professor to Andrew. Though it took several years to come to pass, Andrew presented his design to John a few months before John's passing and he gave his enthusiastic blessing to the project.
Foundation preparation began in March, and then between fabrication and waiting for the ground to dry, we were finally able to install the bridge last week. The bridge deck and handrail covering and some abutment work still need to be completed, but we are on track to have it finished by our next Open Day on Saturday, September 18th.
Many thanks to all those involved in the creation and installation of the bridge:
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Andrew Vrana and Joe Meppelink, co-founders of Metalab, bridge designers
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Matthew Renfro, founder of Renfro + Co, bridge fabricators and installers
- Brad Dougherty, project engineer
- Jimmy Reed of Reed Crane
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Bob Sheehan, D. L. Meacham, piers and cement work
- Adolfo Silva, Head Gardener, The John Fairey Garden
We'll dedicate the bridge and Dixie's mural on Saturday, November 13th during the Celebration of the Life and Legacy of John G. Fairey. This event will be open for family and members only. If you'd like to attend, but aren't a Garden member, you can join here.
Warm regards,
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The Garden is fortunate to have a friend like Cintia. Cintia, a close friend of John Fairey's, has taken it upon herself to sort and archive John's correspondence, slides, photographs, student work, John's own early student work, and many other forms of ephemera. It's a time consuming and detail-oriented job, and Cintia has diligently stuck with it over the last year. Thank you, Cintia, for making sure we are preserving these important pieces of John's legacy. |
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Some Important Dates to Remember
There are a number of important activities happening at the garden in the coming months that we think you'll want to participate in. We will provide details as the date approaches but please go ahead and put these on your calendar so you can join us.
First Open Day of Fall - Saturday, September 11th
Taking Root Luncheon - Tuesday, October 19, 2021
A Celebration of the Life and Legacy of John Fairey - Saturday, November 13, 2021
Budding Out Plant Festival - Saturday, March 19, 2021
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Volunteers and Docents Needed
We're always looking for volunteers and docents and have a variety of tasks suited for a range of volunteer interests and skills. If you're interested in finding out more or in signing up, email info@jfgarden.org or call the office at 979.826.3232
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