NARROWSBURG, NY — As the leaves change color outside, colder days are upon us, showing us signs of plant life beginning to wither away. But the plants will remain alive in the Tusten Heritage Community Garden (THCG).  

That’s thanks to farmer/florist, Lesley LeFranc, and her friend and photographer Kaitlyn Danielson. They’re the co-creators of the lumen print (solar photogram) art project in Narrowsburg’s local community garden.  

Having always been fascinated by nature and the elements at hand, I entered and knew right away it wasn’t a typical garden. I took one glimpse at the first artwork, and was in awe.

Utilizing plant specimens, UV rays of the sun, humidity from the moisture of the plants, varying temperatures and Danielson’s darkroom, these fine works of art were created.

“Sometimes you don’t really know what you’re gonna get” Danielson said with a chuckle.  “You can’t really fully plan it, which is what I really like about the process.”

As she was joined by LeFranc, they discussed the goal of this project: to inspire others to “get their hands in the dirt,” Lesley said. They believe that we all have a sense of responsibility in connecting with nature and in respecting our environment.

As I walked from picture to picture among the garden beds, I could feel their inspiration working through me. The flowers and plants were communicating with me through all the beautiful colors, shapes and designs.  

“I have found that things you wouldn’t think are pretty or beautiful, give us some of the most interesting results,” LeFranc went on to say. “Honestly, I think it’s the simpler things that yield the more aesthetically pleasing results.”

“We made some of our prints with just grass,” Danielson added.

They explained how you could also create these prints from your own backyard flora.

“I think that you can call any space a community garden. If you just take the time to slow down and sit still and look around,” LeFranc explained. “Pick up the grass, find a mushroom. Turn it over and see all the interesting patterning—let go of perfection and let the plants speak for you.”

Andrea Reynosa, the creator of the THCG, who is still on the advisory board and an artist herself, created this community garden using an ancient Chinese divination text that uses elemental symbols as a template for the beds, according to an information plaque at the garden. The beds are arranged as Heaven, Water and Earth.

Just as the lumen prints are created with heaven (sun), water (humidity) and earth (plant specimens).

As the plant life remains with the preservation of this profound artwork, one could say, so does Reynosa’s vision for this small-town community garden.

For more information or to volunteer or become a member of the Tusten Heritage Community Garden, email tusenthcg@gmail.com.