This funding bid is for Phase 1 of our overall project to recreate the twenty-one fruit sculptures of The Tasting Garden. The Tasting Garden was originally created by the environmental artist Mark Dion. Each new Portland stone sculpture, situated on a sandstone plinth, and positioned by its own fruit tree, is a celebration of the tree’s fruit-giving life. We are simultaneously recreating a beautiful community space for physical, mental, and spiritual well-being for anyone to enjoy.
The first two sculptures, the Czar plum and the Swan’s Egg pear, have already been installed, funded by the Friends of the Storey Gardens and Lancaster City Council. Phase 1 of the project is to complete seven fruit sculptures, therefor this funding bid will raise funds for the next five sculptures.
By making a pledge towards the project you can become an acknowledged patron of this exceptional opportunity to recreate this unique artwork, orchard, and free open community space for generations to come.
What we'll deliver:
- Five fruit sculptures carved in Portland Stone by Alan Ward, a local artist
- Five fruit sculptures fixed on a high-quality sandstone plinth
- Five fruit sculptures inscribed with the name of the fruit and installed next to the fruit tree
- A beautiful open community space for physical, mental, and spiritual well-being for all to enjoy
- A community space for ongoing education and development
Why it's a great idea:
The overall vision is to recreate The Tasting Garden not only as an artwork but as a garden. It is about creating a beautiful community space for physical, mental and spiritual well-being for the enjoyment of those who live and work in the city, as well as being a tourist attraction. It is the only freely accessible piece of Mark Dion's public work in Europe. As well as its appeal to the art world the garden is an orchard containing old varieties of fruit trees (apple, cherry, plum and pear) a reminder of those that once graced the orchards and gardens of Lancashire and beyond. As well as working to restore and enhance the garden the volunteers host training days for young volunteers, open days including Heritage weekends, school projects, group visits, befriending refugees, and The Bay: A Blueprint for Recovery's environmental sessions. See our website www.storeygardens.org for more information.
All patrons will be publicly acknowledged as a supporter of this unique project.
Steps to get it done:
- Remove existing concrete plinths
- Order Portland stone for fruit sculptures
- Commission the local sculptor to carve fruits sculptures
- Order Sandstone plinths from quarry
- Install 5 fruit sculptures
- Unveil the recreated artwork and gardens
- Further engage the local community with the enhanced space
The Tasting Garden is part of Lancaster's cultural heritage. The recreated sculptures will enhance the experience of all those visiting the gardens. Locals and visitors drop in for a quiet moment in this enchanting and inspiring place. Events are organised in the spring for the annual Crocus mornings and also in the autumn our volunteers welcome hundreds of visitors during the Heritage Open Days and Light Up Lancaster events. The garden is used for community picnics, school visits and as an inspiration for art and poetry workshops.
Once the fruit sculptures are in place The Tasting Garden will be of interest both nationally and internationally to those who are engaged in environmental art such as that produced by its original creator, Mark Dion. This environmental artwork will also complement the work of local artists who exhibit in the Storey building. It will also be an additional place of interest for those visiting Eden North in Morecambe.