“MARGIE’S GARDEN” at Boerner Botanical Gardens, MI

MARGIE’S GARDEN

A tribute to Margie and her grandchildren

Margie’s Garden at Boerner Botanical Gardens was built by Margie’s Smile, Inc., founded by Margie’s family. The 6 piece bronze Sculpture Margie’s Garden by Austin Weishel is located right in front of the entrance of Margie’s Garden, the new children’s garden.

Margaret “Margie” Kezman was a joyful, optimistic, courageous and kind mother, wife, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. The most important things in Margie’s life were family and children. Margie was a natural teacher with a passion for gardening. Margie has what many would call a “green thumb” but gardening meant more to her. She went above and beyond nurturing her plants, just as she nurtured her own family and all children that were drawn to her infectious positive soul and smile. After a several year battle with Breast Cancer, Margie passed away in 2019.? Margie’s family created Margie’s Smile Inc., the foundation supporting Margie’s Garden, completed in July 2022.

Highlights of sculpting the sculpture

Just like Margie, who would spend hours planning out her garden before executing it flawlessly. I spend many hours planning out my sculptures before ever touching clay. With this sculpture I wanted to make sure everyone who saw it, whether they personally knew Margie or were never granted the chance to meet her, still felt the same pure hearted and positive person that Margie was.

I was excited and touched to be chosen by Tim, Margie’s husband, to create this inspiration piece. Several pieces about this project bring me pure joy that are hidden details that connect Margie’s family to this sculpture.

The 2 little girls are wearing bows because they always wore bows, this was an important detail to ensure their little girls had realism.

The boy holding the shovel I sculpted, is based off a real picture of him shoveling, given to me by his grandfather Tim to ensure every detail was exact.

The details

The Flowers that Margie is planting in the sculpture hold extra significance because not only did I sculpt 5 flowers, one for each grandchild and one representing Margie, but I felt something was missing so I added 2 flower buds. When discussed with Tim about the flowers and buds, he informed me he found out days prior the family was expanding. At the time of this sculpture those 2 buds represent 2 new grandchildren about to make their way into this world.

?This project brought up many emotions for me, as I sculpted the joy the children had being around their grandmother. It also evoked many emotions knowing they no longer have her to nurture them.

I brought my own Mother, who is also an avid gardener, to Milwaukee, WI to be involved with installing this piece because I knew Margie would have appreciated a family tie to her special piece.

-Austin

Video: https://youtube.com/shorts/GgeqiKXjbn4?si=Mw4bAGt6ZoCtoAAn