Hi All,

Hope your primed to have a great weekend.

Just thought I'd give an update from the lighter side (cultural v. geomorphology) of this project.

The curator of the Baum Gallery loves this idea of incorporating art into our proposed botanical garden.  She immediately thought of a sculptor  (the art committee is planning several permanent pieces around campus next September) whose work would "mesh" with our new space.  The pieces are massive and constructed from organic materials, REALLY cool.  She thinks there is a good chance that the art committee would want to install one at our site.  I'm going to approach Gayle Seymour, who heads up the committee for a meeting, Barclay says she'll be a great contact.

I'm also planning to contact the music department to gauge their interest.  Our new space could be a great place for open air concerts by student musicians (maybe that's where our grassy berm sheltering the garden from the parking lot comes in).  I can see it! 

Also, in my Urban Planning class this semester the Mayor, Brad Lacey who is head of the Chamber of Commerce, and Wes Craiglow who is the head planner for Conway have all been guest speakers.  The all talked about how the UCA campus is a huge selling point for the city.  Whenever they are trying to sell the city to somebody (HP for example) every one of them said one of the last things they do is drive people through the campus.  They also talk about the importance of quality of life and amenities as a selling point of Conway.  I believe they are big stakeholders not only in the project we're planning but in JMNR.  After our restoration, the will be no other place in the city like the preserve, creek and botanical gardens.  I plan to contact Wes Craiglow, talk to him about the project and invite him to our presentation.

I'm also waiting to hear from Kami Marsh who is over the Master Gardeners.  I wanted to get information about the installation and maintenance requirements of their garden.  Of course I'll share our plan with her, maybe the MGs will be interested in our proposal.

I'll keep everyone posted.

Has anyone been to Bernice Gardens in LR?  Barclay, Baum's curator, told me it's a lot like what we're thinking of for our site.  I'm trying to contact somebody there, and will probably go by.  It sounds pretty cool, she said it has revolving art exhibitions, music sometimes and a farmer's market all on a small lot.