Blue Poppy Day on May 14

Published 1:00 pm Wednesday, May 11, 2016

The Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden, in partnership with the City of Federal Way Arts Commission, will hold its fifth annual Blue Poppy Day – Art in Bloom event on Saturday, May 14, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The event features the rare blue poppies that bloom only under certain conditions and during this time of year, as well as the talents of artists who are inspired by them. Among these talented artists is this year’s featured artist, Pat Yager.

“I discovered a love for painting while in my 20s, and after taking a few workshops here and there, decided to concentrate primarily on watercolor,” said Yager. “Learning to combine the fluid characteristics of the water-based pigment in both loose and ‘tight’ applications is an unending challenge, so for me, painting in watercolor is a process of continually experimenting with new ideas in order to present familiar subjects in interesting ways.”

Yager’s art is on gallery exhibit at the Knutzen Family Theatre until May 10. Her work, as with the work of all artists’ work featured at Art in Bloom, are for sale by the artists themselves at the event.

The Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden has also opened its new Blue Poppy Glade, which is easily reachable along its accessibility trail. The area is surrounded by flowering trees like Magnolia sieboldii and Stewartia pseudocamellia that bloom in late spring in conjunction with the blue poppies.

For more information on Blue Poppy Day, visit www.rhodygarden.org or call 253-838- 4646, ext. 100 or ext. 140.