Help Thuya Studio grow a garden!

Tasha Lee is organizing this fundraiser.

Donation protected

Hello! I'm Tasha - artist, designer and operator of Thuya Studio. It has always been my goal with Thuya to go beyond the flowers. To behold their beauty in a way that sees also their grandness; a fractal of the world, a reflection of ourselves. My exploration in photography and with flowers seeks to de-commodify the way we see the natural world. I want to start a new project that will be a space to build on these ideas, learn from our plant teachers, supplement my art and floral practice, and to create community and connection. That project is called Moonless.

This garden is dedicated to deepening relationship with plants. I have been working on small-scale farms and vineyards here in Ontario for the past 6 summer seasons, learning as I go. I have been inspired to start my own project where I can learn more about the medicinal and magical properties with plants. To have a better understanding of how we co-mingle above and below ground (in the mycorrhizal world) and how we support each other, energetically, emotionally and physically. My goal with this project specifically is to:

Grow off-market cut flower varieties, dye plants, edible flowers and medicinal herbs
Discover which plants serve us for beauty, magic and medicine
Regenerative farming that focuses on symbiotic vs commercial growing.

The first few years of Thuya were very, very, very challenging, and it is still a complex and misunderstood feld. Follow it up with 2.5 years of pandemic madness, and exponential rising costs. To say it hasn't been a cakewalk would be putting it lightly. We change and grow around the challenges of course, but this has definitely left me with less resources to work with. So I need your help as we move to the next chapter of creation.

It is always my hope to contribute my magic to the world in a tangible way, to share and collaborate. This was certainly the goal with Thuya when I began 5 years ago, but things have been a little more difficult than I imagined. I launched that small business on my own with little nest egg and a loan (boy was that a mistake). It hasn't always gone as planned. I opened and closed a storefront, crested bankruptcy, endured 2.5 years of pandemic atrophy and been doing it all without a liveable income. I do it because I love it, and have so much more love to give with this new project.

Farm startup costs are no joke, So I am asking for support from the community I have nurtured to help me get going on the basic supplies to get this project in the ground!

Funds will be used for

Organic land rental costs for the 2022 season
Seeds, roots, plugs and growing medium
Ground cover for weed control (mulch, straw, landscape fabric)
Tools and supplies (Shovels, rakes, trowels)
Hoses and irrigation supplies
Materials to create drying trays for herbs and dried flowers
Bulbs, and roots for fall planting of this year.

I have been lucky enough to secure a beautiful space on an Organic farm with some lovely folks - now I'm ready to move.

It's difficult to say what the first year yield of this project will be. I will be selling wholesale, using flowers in our work, and harvesting herbs for medicinal use as well! Once I know a bit more about the possible yields, I am really interested in running CSA program in the future, and having a continued community in which to share the magic of plants. With your support, I can invest in this in a real way and look to expand in future growing seasons.|

We welcome your support!