Art Walks at Kubota Garden With Mary Magenta
September 4, 2012
Want to explore Kubota Garden through the eyes of an artist? Mary Magenta, a Feet First Neighborhood Walking Ambassador as well as a volunteer, docent, and Artist in Residence at Kubota Garden, has been leading walks through the wonderful city park in Rainier Beach since late spring. Her knowledge of the Garden’s history and Japanese garden culture combined with her skill and experience as an artist has provided a unique perspective of the park to the many local residents who have joined her over the past few months.
This past Friday, Mary led a walk on the occasion of the blue moon. The walk was very well attended: Mary reported back that she had twenty-five people “howling” in the rarefied lunar light. The howling should come as no surprise to those acquainted with Mary’s contagious enthusiasm. “I love being with people,” Mary says, “and being a Feet First Neighborhood Walking Ambassador in my favorite park allows me to meet and interact with fabulous folks from all over–and to share my deep appreciation for the sanctuary that is Kubota Garden.” While Mary has been visiting Seattle to paint for years, she decided relocate here permanently earlier this year. Mary recently stated that one of the main reasons she chose to move to Seattle is “because public transit works so well here, because bikes are a very welcomed form of transportation, and because I don’t want to drive anymore!”
In addition to leading walks in Kubota Garden this summer, Mary has also been directing Art Adventures, a 7 week art workshop for grandparents and grandchildren. Art Adventures has provided a venue for mult-generational discussion about art and nature while creating wonderful works of art together. Through generous donations, Mary was able to provide this workshop free to all participants. Visitors at the Rainier Beach Art Walk will be able to view (and purchase) some of the art from this workshop on September 15th from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm at the Rainier Beach Medical and Dental Clinic (9245 Rainier Avenue South).
Want to join Mary on her next walk through Kubota Garden? The blue moon has passed, but the walks will be continuing, starting Sunday, September the 16th from 3:00 pm until 4:30 pm, and again the evening of Tuesday, September 25th from 6:00 pm until 7:30 pm. Participants of all ages and abilities are welcome. Meet up at the main entrance to Kubota Garden (9817 55th Avenue South) near the intersection of Renton Avenue South and 55th Avenue South. Metro Route 106 serves this location.