THE NEW England Regional Art Museum will celebrate Art in the Garden this weekend

A range of local and regional artists will showcase their wares in the garden of sculpture artist Francois Jaggi and his wife Penny.

Event organiser Lynne Walker said the event started as a smaller version of the Neramble held in April and will raise funds to create a sculpture garden at the back of NERAM.

“I knew of a lot of wonderful gardens in the area and thought it would be a wonderful idea, the long term plan is that funding will go toward the garden at the back of NERAM, we’ve already fixed the creek bed and now we want to establish a sculpture garden,” she said. 

The home and garden are located on a hillside on the northern outskirts of Armidale and the open garden has been planted with natives to showcase Mr Jaggi’s sculptures.

At the bottom of the garden a pond teems with frogs and visitors are welcome to sit and enjoy under a shady pergola.

A thriving vegetable garden produces all year round with a many fruit trees also planted in the garden.

The garden will host established artists Max Powell, BackTrack’s Ironman Welders, James White and Bronwyn Goodrich and all works on show will be for sale.

A number of market stalls will be available and Devonshire tea and lunches on offer.

Ms Walker said she was incredibly grateful to Mr and Mrs Jaggi for opening their garden to the public for the event.

"Francois is a very private man and I thought he’d never say yes but he has opened his garden and we are so grateful,” she said. 

Children are welcome at the event and Ms Walker said it is well known as a great family outing.

“We welcome children, in the grand scheme of things they’re our future gardeners, the event is generally regarded as a wonderful family day out,” she said. 

Art in the Garden is on October 1 and 2 at 79 Chestnut Avenue from 10am to 4:30pm.

Entry cost is $6 and free for children.