The Harmony Garden Mural & Ms. Emily Ash

It's only been a year since Skyview PTA broke ground on the Skyview Harmony Garden. But it has already become an RISD-wide attraction. At the center of our school garden is a stunning "L"-shaped mural - a mural created by Skyview's own art teacher, Ms. Emily Ash.

Ms. Ash is a local artist and educator. With the help of her 6th grade art students and the Skyview Art Club, Ms. Ash painted this enormous mural installation in the spring of 2016. The mural depicts children creating community through art, music and nature. The themes of equity, respect, community and reverence are highlighted in the mural.

This spring, we're excited to reveal part 2 of the mural installation. Hand-lettering that reads "Skyview Harmony Garden" is flanked by soaring skyhawks (the Skyview mascot). You'll have a chance to see the finished product on Saturday, April 22 at Skyview's Earth Day Fair & Garden Expo. Learn more about it here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1747882502188616/. During our Earth Day Fair you'll also have a chance to visit the Skyview Art Club booth and talk with Ms. Ash in person about her work and the process of installing such a large and inspiring mural.

Until then, here are some photos of the mural and some sneak peak shots of the newly painted elements:

Community Work Party | March 25

Join your friends and neighbors at the 

Skyview Harmony Garden spring work party!

Saturday, March 25th

9:00 - 11:00am

Skyview PTA will have bottled water and snacks on hand for all volunteers. We will be weeding the vegetable beds, replenishing the decomposed granite pathways, planting a replacement tree that was lost during a storm last year, and planting flowers to beautify our campus! Please let us know if you're coming in one of three ways: leave a comment below, email us at skyviewgarden@gmail.com, or RSVP on Facebook at www.facebook.com/events/1783545915300646/.

And if you're able, we're accepting donations of Vinca, a lovely sun-loving flower found at any and all nurseries. We'll be planting Vinca around the school marquee, as well as in flower beds around the school entrance and in the Harmony Garden. Thank you!!

Signs of Spring

The groundhog just announced 6 more weeks of winter, but here in Texas it's been warm and sunny. This week, many of our dormant plants are showing signs of hope and growth! This will be our school garden's first opportunity to experience spring. Last year at this time, the Skyview Harmony Garden was still in the planning phases. (We broke ground on April 16, 2016). The students are excited to see what else will pop up in the coming weeks! 

Interested in helping us kick off the spring season? We're hosting a Community Garden Work Party on Saturday, March 25th from 9:00-11:00am and you're invited! Learn more on our Facebook Event Page. 

2017 Earth Day Fair | Save the Date!

Winter Solstice in the Harmony Garden

The Skyview Harmony Garden is having a little winter nap during the holiday break. And while we've had a few harsh evenings with temperatures well below freezing, we still have some herbs and vegetables fighting through the elements. During this dormant time of year, we're also seeing the beautiful dry seed formations and quiet plant cycles run their course. Below are some photos from the garden this week.

But the work continues - even though our raised beds are barren and their isn't a lot to do in the garden itself. The Skyview Harmony Garden Committee is having their first meeting of the year on Thursday, January 4th from 6-7pm. The meeting is open to the community as they'll be planning spring planting, a community work party and the Skyview Harmony Garden's Annual Earth Day Fair, which is to take place on Saturday, April 22nd from 5-7pm. To attend the January 4th meeting, please RSVP to Sarah Greenman at skyviewgarden@gmail.com. She'll send you details about location!

Milkweed seeds.

Swiss Chard takes a licking and keeps on ticking.

Seeds from our Butterfly Bush.

Garlic is a great winter vegetable that can handle the frosty weather.

Against all odds, our Cilantro is still fighting for life!

Crepe Myrtle seeds pods are opening up.

Community Thanksgiving Herb Harvest

The school garden has been quiet this week, as our students and teachers are away on Thanksgiving break. But if you're still in town, we have an exciting offer for you! Do you need fresh herbs for your Thanksgiving feast? The Skyview Harmony Garden will be open tomorrow morning, Wednesday November 23rd, from 9:00-9:45am for herb harvesting. We have rosemary, culinary sage, cilantro, chives, mint, oregano, and multiple types of basil. See you in the garden!

The Instruments are HERE!

This morning, everyone at Skyview Elementary School was excited to find out that their long awaited outdoor musical instruments were finally being installed today! This was the final phase of the Skyview Harmony Garden ground breaking.

Skyview's music teacher and garden co-chair, Austin Aeschbacher, was on hand to make sure that the layout of the four instruments adhered to the needs of Skyview students. PTA President, Sarah Greenman, was also on hand to work out final installation details.

Please join Skyview's PTA and community partners in celebration of the completion of the garden by attending our work party on Saturday, September 10th from 9am - 10:30pm. We can't wait to show off the new instruments!

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