This year’s July Garden Tour is a bit of a unique one. GardenKitchener members are invited to register for one of two guided tours of the gardens at the Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery (KWAG). Learn about four beautiful, thoughtfully-designed outdoor spaces that combine visual art, horticulture and community spirit.
Tour Details:
- Two guided tours will be hosted on Tuesday, July 7th. The first will begin at 6:30 p.m., and the second at 7:30 p.m.
- Each tour will last approximately one hour: 45 minutes will be led by a KWAG guide, and 15 minutes will be led by the artist of the Veradis Garden.
- Members must register in advance. Click here to register. Please bring proof of membership (digital or printed membership card) with you to the tour.
- Each tour will be limited to 30 members. Because we know these tours are popular, we kindly ask that you only register if you’re sure you can attend. If any last minute cancelations arise, we’ll send out an email the day before.
- Members will meet inside the Gallery foyer before the tour begins.
- Tours will take place rain or shine. If severe weather alerts are issued within an hour of a tour beginning, the tour may be canceled at the last minute. If that’s the case, registered members will be notified via email.
- Paid parking is available directly in front of the Gallery (approximately $2.89 per hour). Free street parking is available on side streets throughout the surrounding area as well.
About the KWAG Gardens
The tour explore four distinct outdoor spaces, each with its own purpose and story.
The Sculpture Garden has been part of the Gallery since the early 1980s, when KWAG moved into its current building. The garden features six metal sculptures created by different artists, some using scraps of steel as their inspiration. During the tour, participants will learn about the history behind each piece and how the sculptures have become part of the Gallery’s landscape.
The Veradis Garden is a collaboration between two artists and the community and was created as a memorial to a young girl. It’s a distinctive and beautiful space enclosed by a living willow fence.
The 50/50 Garden of Resilience is one of the Gallery’s newest additions, established in 2025. This garden is a symbol of decolonization and carries a message of returning land back to the community. Half of everything grown is donated to local organizations, while the remaining plots are cultivated by community gardeners. One of the plots is tended by Gardeners in Residence who host a number of different workshops and programs for KWAG throughout the season.
The fourth garden is titled Mike MacDonald: Planting One Another. It’s an Indigenous plant garden curated by Lisa Myers in partnership with Woodland Cultural Centre. It features native and medicinal plants such as sweetgrass and milkweed, alongside familiar perennials including coneflowers and black-eyed Susans. Some non-native plants have also been intentionally included to spark conversations about colonization and changing landscapes.
More Than a Garden
KWAG views its gardens as an outdoor extension of the Gallery itself. They provide opportunities for artists, gardeners, and community members to collaborate while exploring themes of biodiversity, sustainability, food sovereignty, and Indigenous knowledge.
The gardens continue to evolve each year. While many of the permanent features remain in place, the Gallery welcomes new ideas and annually selects a new Gardener in Residence to help shape the 50/50 Garden of Resilience.
Whether you’re interested in landscape design, native plants, public art, or community gardening, this tour offers a chance to experience a different side of the Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery and learn how gardens can support both people and place.