2007 VISIONARIES:
• Lily Yeh • Vernon Masayesva • Joanna Crell • Aimee Beth Ward • Dr. Gladys Taylor McGareyAIMEE BETH WARD
Ethnic Botanist, Artist, Teacher
Aimee Beth Ward is a powerhouse! She sculpts, gardens, shoots photos, makes videos and performs. She has exhibited her award winning creations in Arizona, New Mexico and Washington State.
A multi-talented and passionate artist and teacher, Aimee Beth not only inspires her students but empowers them to make their own art and try their hands at gardening. The result? The children develop confidence and pride in their creations — and in themselves.
Sponsored by Gardens for Humanity and The Rim Institute, and in cooperation with the University of Arizona Maricopa County Extension Service and its Master Gardeners, from 1998-2004 Aimee Beth designed and built a Demonstration Healing Garden in Phoenix, Arizona for the purpose of cultivating a variety of healing desert plants. In constructing it over a two-year period employing a variety of architectural means — walls and enclosures of hay bale, rammed earth, adobe and found object — she inspired many students, disabled persons, even prisoners who joined in to help make her dream come true. When the garden was completed with its murals, mosaics and water features, the Phoenix school children to whose schools she had traveled as a missionary came in droves to experience the beauty and peace of this garden — a mecca for learning. In the happy disguise of Dr. Greenbean, teacher, Aimee Beth Ward continues to share her knowledge and spread her joy to help green communities.
Recently, Aimee came up with another idea — a garden for different generations to enjoy together. In Cle Elum, Washington with JUMP, a mentorship program for at risk children, Aimee and the children created such a garden. The purpose is to bring these youngsters in closer contact with their communities and to foster their one-on-one relationships with other generations. Each student and adult who take part do at least two hours of community service together each month.
After creating and nurturing their communal garden, the growers can sell vegetables at the local farmers’ market. The program is administered through a cooperative effort between several local groups and the school district.
See the masks some of these children have made:
Aimee Beth Ward’s vision goes on! In 2006 she conducted the Roslyn Library Summer Reading Programs: two six-week sessions, one for 2 to 9 year-olds, another for teens. In addition to reading, Aimee Beth introduced character development via making masks, puppets and instruments as well as painting. The youths used their creations in The Grand Parade which wound through town to the park crowned by a celebratory picnic where they were able to act or read their written works in accompaniment to their art. This program is partnered by the High Country Artists, a non-profit organization, some of whose members will assist the student with their weekly creative projects.
Honoring her commitment to JUMP, Aimee Beth will continue to nurture the garden which was created last year. She will be focused on adding art into the garden and stimulating more active
participation with her students.
Whatever Gardens for Humanity could do to support her would be appreciated.
Budget:
Reading Program: TOTAL $1500
Materials and art supplies for approximately 40 students: $150
Advertising and promotion: $300
Artist-Consultant: $500
Other: $50
Aimee Beth Ward is asking Gardens for Humanity for $1500 in support of the artist.
Materials and other costs will be donations and/or supplied by the other participating
partners.
Please visit our Donors Page and assist Aimee Beth in her dedication to helping people of all ages, cultures and backgrounds to create, learn and thrive. Ten percent of your donation will go to Gardens for Humanity and will be used to aid other visionaries in their efforts to improve the
quality of life on Earth.
______________________________________________________________________________________________
GfH HOME • Visionaries: Gardeners of the Spirit • The Earth Is Our Garden • Our Story • Participate • Contact & Resources
© 2008 Gardens for Humanity All rights reserved