The Art in the Gardens tour in Columbia will offer people an opportunity to see creative spaces, enjoy live music and catch artists in action. Organized by Create Columbia, the tour will be held on Saturday, June 11, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The mission of Create Columbia is to promote the arts and promote Columbia, and the tour provides a perfect way to do that, said Kathy Hohenadel, a member of the garden tour committee. Tourgoers may purchase tickets in the gazebo at Locust Street Park, 560 Locust St., and enjoy live music from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the park. Music from a variety of genres will be coordinated by Chris Prestia, director of the Columbia School of Music. Plantings from various Columbia gardens will be for sale in the park while supplies last, and several local vendors will be set up as well. "They'll be selling items to decorate your garden," Hohenadel said. Vendors will include Virgin Iron Blacksmithing, Kim's Prim co and Rust and Crafts. Local photography by John Reitzel will also be available for purchase in the park.

Tourgoers will have the opportunity to explore eight gardens, each of which will feature at least one artist working en plein air. "People will get to see an artist creating something, whether it's a collage, an oil painting, a watercolor or whatever they are working on," Hohenadel explained. "You can enjoy the garden while watching art in progress." Highlights of the garden tour will include annuals and perennials, herbs, water features and ornamentals. One of the gardens is certified by the National Wildlife Federation as a haven for birds, bees and butterflies, among other wildlife. "This year, we have four properties that are neighbors, so people can park and walk through four gardens side by side," Hohenadel noted. At Wright's Ferry Mansion, tourgoers will not only enjoy the lush gardens surrounding the historic stone house but also get to learn about the history of the home and its gardens from a tour guide. Reproductions of Susanna Wright's paintings and selections of her poetry will be located throughout the gardens as well.

The garden tour is a fundraiser for Create Columbia, a nonprofit organization that is currently raising funds for several art-focused projects in the borough as well as establishing a scholarship for people who want to pursue art, music or drama lessons.

Tickets for the tour will be available for purchase on the tour date. Cash or checks will be accepted, with an additional service charge for purchase by credit card. The tour will be held rain or shine. For more information, including highlights of participating gardens, visit http://www.facebook.com/createcolumbia.