“I always think of flowers as all the colors dancing in the light,” says Pam Clausen, a Kewaunee artist.

Clausen’s garden is full of spring flowers, she said.  Clausen, who is working towards her Master Gardener accreditation, said her oil paintings focus on everyday life in her community and gardens are an important part of what makes the community beautiful.

The board of Lakehaven Hall in Kewaunee agrees that gardens are becoming more of a focus for county residents.

“It was time for Kewaunee County to have its own garden show,” says Ann Crevcoure, who is helping to organize the first  Lakehaven Garden and Outdoor Living Show on Saturday, May 28, at the historic Lakehaven Hall on the lake in downtown Kewaunee.

“It is amazing the talent in our area and the beautiful work they do,” says Crevcoure, a member of the Lakehaven board. “We have this beautiful building (Lakehaven) and we live in an area where a lot of people take pride in their yards.”

For the show, Clausen will be exhibiting her oil paintings of flowers and painting a still-life on site, perhaps incorporating lilacs, one of county’s oldest non-native spring flowers, she said. She will also be offering to paint residents’ yards and flowers on a commission basis.

Crevcoure and the rest of the garden show committee including Mary Stoeger, Mary Skornicka, Vicki Jaeger and Mary Kay Messman have been working since January to bring more than 20 gardeners, artists, nursery owners and other vendors from Northeast Wisconsin to the one-day show.

“We really reached out to a lot of people,” said Crevcouve.   “We wanted to show what the area has to offer.”

There will be demonstrations on how to design a patio by Matt Wojta, and How to Make a Flower Arrangement offered by Flowers by Judy of Luxemburg.

Iron Maiden of Oconto will be exhibiting ornamental work for the garden, while Meadow Brook Storage of Two Rivers will be bringing a variety of hand-made garden sheds. David Beachy of Kewaunee, owner of D & J Enterprise, will be selling his recycled plastic chairs, tables and gliders that feature more than 20 different designs from flowers to eagles to horses.

“They are chairs that you can leave out that won’t rust and rot,” said Beachy.   “They are made of stainless steel and plastic.”

Crevcoure said that the committee wanted to bring in people with unique garden items.  For example, David Calhoun of Swanstone Gardens of Green Bay will be demonstrating how to make a fairy garden for adults, children and grandchildren.

“Fairy gardens are planted with little miniature plants and you can add fairy houses and furniture, little ponds and bridges,” says Glen Van der Linden of Swanstone Gardens.

The store will also be exhibiting stained glass stones for the yard and witch balls, which are modeled after 18th century ornamental balls that were hung in the yard to capture “evil spirits.”

“Fisherman used to put them in their nets to protect them from sea monsters,” said Van der Linden.

Flowers will be visible throughout the day with the Kewaunee County Garden Club holding their annual flower sale just down the street at Harbor Park.  In addition, Three Kewaunee High School students from Future Farmers of America (FFA)  will be performing a demonstration at noon on hydroponics – how to grow plants without soil, according to Randall Charles, ag instructor and FFA adviser at the high school.

“Essentially, we will be showing people how to have an indoor garden,” he said.

“We are happy with the way it is all coming together,” Crevcoure said.  The committee will also be selling sandwiches, salads and sundaes throughout the show, and Ron’s Cheese, as well as several other food vendors, will be selling cheese and other food items.

The committee will also be selling tickets to their Murder Mystery Dinner on July 23 that they are organizing with the Kewaunee Chamber of Commerce.   The mystery will have a 1980s prom theme.

Crevcoure said that having an indoor location for the show makes it much easier to plan with the spring weather in Kewaunee.   The committee is planning to make it one of the first events of the season in future years.

Proceeds from the show will be used for improvements and maintenance at Lakehaven, which is a 501(c)(3) organization, she said.

Admission is free, although donations are appreciated, she said.   The show will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press Gazette: First Kewaunee Garden and Outdoor Living Show to be held at Lakehaven