Earth Art, an innovative environmental art exhibit at the RBG, features the work of renowned Canadian and international artists and opened yesterday (Saturday) for a three-month run.

The Ontario government is investing the money to help the RBG promote Earth Art to art and culture fans and ecology-conscious travellers from across Canada, the United States and abroad. The exhibit will run until Oct. 13.

"We had applied for various grants," Ross Halloran, the RBG's director of marketing and visitor experience, told the Post. He said the Gardens has received provincial funding from three sources valued at $120,000 for start up and staging of the new exhibit.

The Earth Art exhibit showcases 10 celebrated and international artists from Canada, Germany, the U.S., Britain, Mexico, France and Belgium.

The lone Canadian representative is sculptor Simon Frank of Hamilton.

"We've had 10 artists, nine outside Canada, who have been brought over, toured our (RBG) natural lands and created pieces of art. We've been helping source items like a chainsaw, twine or plant materials for them to use. Every artist has their own needs," said Halloran.

Their works encompass natural elements, influenced by the characteristics of the RBG landscape, transforming natural materials into environmental sculptures.

"A lot of these artists know each other but had never met before. They are living in one place in Hamilton. All of the pieces are done except for one, a grass and earth ramp that goes up into some trees. Some of the pieces are in the (RBG's) gardens and some in the nature lands," noted Halloran.

Ontario Culture Minister Aileen Carroll visited the RBG last Thursday to make the funding announcement in advance of the exhibit's opening.

"Earth Art will attract more visitors to the Royal Botanical Gardens," said Carroll. "Ontario is proud to support this innovative art show by helping promote it to audiences around the world."

Carroll was joined at the opening by RBG executive director Mark Runciman, renowned Earth Art curator John Grande, and area MPPs Ted McMeekin and MPP Sophia Aggelonitis.

"This investment from the Ontario government enables the RBG to develop and promote such significant cultural and artistic endeavors as Earth Art and attract new visitors," said Runciman.

The director and CEO of the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, B.C. issued a statement praising the new exhibit.

"The selection of a curator such as John Grande, whose contributions have been extensive in this area, and the selection of these key artists, including Hamilton-based Simon Frank, offers all visitors the opportunity to re-consider how we think about our cultural position and how we view nature during a time of climate change. And what better place than the RBG?" said Shirley Madill.

The RBG is the one of the world's largest botanical gardens with five gardens and four nature sanctuaries on more than 2,700 acres of cultivated gardens and natural lands.

Admission to the RBG is $10 for adults but non-RBG members can purchase an Earth Art passport for $15, which is good for repeat visits to the RBG and the special exhibit until Oct. 13. An Earth Art passport for a family of four is $35. A souvenir catalogue of the specially-created works is included in the passport's cost.