GCAC

Press release

Due to a new location in need of renovation for the Garrard County Art Council, it will have its first fundraiser on June 23 — a House and Garden Tour. 

The new center is located across from the Grand Theater, at 112 Lexington St. in Lancaster. The three-story building has been empty for several months; GCAC was offered the basement and first floor, and can start moving in pending renovation. 

Five locations have been selected for the fundraising House and Garden Tour: Willie Frances Graham’s garden, Lexington Road; Judy Dawahare’s “Pink Painted Lady” house and garden, Lexington Street; Donna Allen’s garden, Lakeview Drive; Pam Canter’s log home and garden, Perry Rodgers Road; and Nell Manning’s garden, south of Stanford on U.S. 27. 

The tour will also offer tea foods, such as scones and jam, finger sandwiches, chicken salad in filo, mixed fruit, quiche, teach cakes and cookies. Live music will also be provided, and art exhibits as well. 

Stacy May, local artist and coordinator for the tour said, “The gardens of Willie Frances Graham’s are amazing. Her plants are labeled and her back yard is as pretty as the front, with benches strewn throughout under shade trees, it’s a great place to view and relax in the midst of all the beauty.” 

May says Donna Allen’s property is “really something to see,” with an in-ground pool, a beautifully furnished “tiny” house and an outdoor kitchen. She explains that Nell Manning, a Master Gardener, also has a site on her property, putting so many years into an enormous, beautiful garden. 

“She incorporates fairy gardens, yard art and a variety of different species of plants,” May says. 

She says Pam Canter has a log cabin showplace — “The wraparound porch is like outdoor living space, the Canters have an old original store building and many antiques and primitives inside and out.” 

May says Judy Dawahare has a lovely older home that is decorated beautifully. “You will recognize it as the ‘Pink Painted Lady’ on Lexington Street, down from the school.“