The garden is blooming.
This morning, over coffee on the deck, we marveled at how the black swallowtail caterpillars had discovered our little pot of dill. That’s what they eat, after all—dill, the herb. They’re beautiful creatures, but they’d munched their way through the pot and were running out of food. Off we dashed to Home Depot for reinforcements.
When we returned, we found two escapees: they’d crawled 20 feet along the railing and scaled 10 feet up the brick wall. They’re seeking the perfect spot to pupate—preparing for that astonishing metamorphosis. Like magic. ✨
Which makes you wonder… how did the butterfly find our dill among all the other plants? How does that tiny caterpillar know to scale walls in search of a transformation chamber?
And what on earth goes on inside a chrysalis? Nature is full of mysteries—and miracles.
That sense of wonder brings me to something else close to my heart.
Last week, I addressed the artists at the Ontario Society of Artists AGM and encouraged support for Gallery X Scarborough by simply subscribing at galleryxscarborough.com. It costs nothing but sends a powerful message: that Scarborough’s 630,000 residents deserve a major public gallery.
I’ll admit—I was disappointed to see only two new subscribers immediately afterward. I know more may still follow, but it felt like a setback.
Then today, I stumbled across a stat in our software I rarely check. While we have 262 formal members, we also have 334 followers on Facebook. Some may be duplicates, sure—but taken together, that’s around 500 individuals supporting our cause. That realization flipped the script: from discouragement to renewed optimism. 🌱
So, maybe we’re like those caterpillars—on a long march, seeking the right place for transformation. With continued effort and a little magic, we’ll emerge as something spectacular: a vibrant, permanent gallery for Scarborough.
We began this journey in 2018. Since then, we’ve built a foundation with our online exhibitions. We’re likely halfway there. But to reach the finish line, we need more voices behind us. Please spread the word. Ask friends and family to visit galleryxscarborough.com and subscribe.
Because sometimes, hope needs a little dill—and a whole lot of community.
Peter Marsh July 11 2025
1 Comments
Brad Burt
Although not a Scarberian, I fully endorse this drive to open a physical gallery in Scarborough. The Arts are essential to the sustaining of an enlightened civilization, and the visual arts are major component.
Lovely blog post, Peter, and great pictures!
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