Merced Garden Club member Alan Claunch opens the meeting with a reading of a poem.
Local artist Monika Modest speaks with members of the Merced Garden Club about her planned projects to help beautify the City of Merced.
The Merced Garden Club presents local artist Monika Modest with the Civic Beautification Award during their March 14 meeting for her involvement in a variety of projects in Merced.
Members of the Merced Garden Club work out the details of the upcoming 22nd Annual Garden Tour on April 11.
The Merced Garden Club has presented local artist Monika Modest with the group’s Civic Beautification Award.
Known for her many community and charitable project throughout the city, Modest received the award for her past and continuing efforts to create a more colorful city for residents to enjoy. Her projects include the ceramic tiles located on the risers of the Merced Arts Center stairs, the G Street underpass murals, the Tree of Life wall, and recently installed Poppies Galore installation at Bob Hart Square.
The Merced Garden Club noted their admiration of her artistic talent, and expressed an appreciation for her dedication to beautifying the city, saying that they “applaud her efforts to improve the lives of our citizens through her generous philanthropy.”
In particular, members highlighted the Poppies Galore project, which raised $8,000 for the Merced Rescue Mission as well as the Valley Crises Center.
Looking towards the future, Modest has plans to create a mural inspired by Vincent Van Gough’s painting “Starry Night” for the Merced Open Air Theatre in Applegate Park. The Starry Night mural is planned to be completed in the fall of 2018.
For the Merced Garden Club, members are currently looking forward to planting poppies inside of the Bob Hart Square planter to complement the Poppies Galore artwork.
Also, the club is hoping to inspire residents to beautify the Merced area with their 22nd Annual Garden Tour. Taking place on April 11, the annual event will run from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., and will allow residents looking for inspiration to tour five unique local gardens.
Tickets for the event are $20 and can be purchased by calling the Merced Garden Club at 617-2199.