Reviews

Nurtured by Nature

The London Free Pressl- Saturday, August 21, 2010

Flight of fancy - The Whimsy of Lucy Ogletree's folk art, both created and collected, lighten the heart.

Folk art garden, healing garden or just a place of peace- whatever one calls the two hectares that surround Lucy Ogletree's home - it is a lovely, serene setting.

Many know Olgetree for her folk art, while others may recognize her name as being active in an African relief organization called Canadian Aid for Southern Sudan. Besides being a well known artist and activist, whe's a wife and business person. She and her husband Mike Roberts own and run Winter Wheat. This destination art and curio store in Sparta attracts 150 people each day of the summer... click here to read full article.

Visit to Winter Wheat

Customer comments via email- Tuesday, July 27, 2010

My wife and I had the immense pleasure of visiting your ...what do I call it??? A wonderfully serene walk through chidhood mixed in with humorous displays, gorgeous flowers and trees of course. My trade was as a Forester so that kept my attention. And the crafts for sale in your main house were just breathtaking. We went away with quite a few but could have left with more. One of the things we bought was a picture depicting part of the walking tour and it really caught our eye and it is on display in our kitchen so we can see it everyday and again appreciate the wonderfull time we had. The painting is very well done, conveying a love for work being done and trying to capture the spirit of the place. Thank you for being able to participate in the experience, I am most sure we will be back and will recommend to our friends. We live in Ottawa but the trip was well worth it.

Larry and Jocelyne McIntosh

Four Fun and Easy Day Trips in Your Area

Campbell Toyota eNewsletter- May 2010

Unique, quirky, creative, whimsical, peaceful and fun best describe what awaits you at Winter Wheat, a one-of-a-kind setting, located just outside of Sparta.

It’s a perfect place to get away from the regular world and have a great time...more

Brantford Piston Pushers visit Winter Wheat

Thank you for your hospitality- November 2009

This past Nov 1 2009 a group from the Brantford Piston Pushers enjoyed a stop at Winter Wheat. There are lots of shots at Winter Wheat (on the video below) and on behalf of our club I thank you for your hospitality!
Kevin Hill

A great day “owt” in South Western Ontario

Chickstravelflicks's Blog- November 23, 2009

My mother discovered Winter Wheat while on a Mother’s day Shunpiker Mystery Tour about five years ago. Since then this place has become a “must see” for the many friends and family who come to visit my parents in Canada throughout the year.

I find it hard to describe a place like Winter Wheat without falling into the trap of clichés. It is, without a doubt, peaceful, tranquil, cosy and enchanting ..more

It's all about the beach in Port Stanley

The Toronto Star - Aug 15, 2009

Winter Wheat, a studio/store "healing garden" and showcase for the work of Canadian folk artists Lucy Ogletree and Mike Roberts, is a must-visit...

...The genuine sense of welcome is worth the drive in itself ...more

Winter Wheat

Day Tripping Paper- July/August Issue, 2009

Breathing in the gentle fragrance of the land and feeling the soft bed of needles beneath my feet, I think how wonderful it is to be in the hush of the woods again...

... Visitors speak quietly, smile at strangers and... take their time. I notice the look in their eyes, the softness of thier faces; some sit almost trancelike...more

Winter Wheat

I really did find the experience an enriching and uplifting one...

Lucy, I just wanted to take the time to let you and your husband know what a great place Winter Wheat is. I was recently at Winter Wheat for the first time with my mother and I really did find the experience an enriching and uplifting one.

I also wanted to let you know what a great inspiration you are to not only manifest your dreams but also to share it with others in such a generous way. I really respect your involvement in Sudan as well. We take so much for granted in our rich Western Society. I always get so discouraged with parents who won’t allow their children to use play doh or create any crafts at home. Not only do we take for granted our peaceful society and resources but just our opportunities to foster our creativity.

Good luck, Christy Doherty

The Country Connection Magazine, Winter/Spring, 2009

There's a folk art haven one the mile south of the historical community of Sparta, on the northern shores of Lake Erie. It's the home of Canadian folk artist Lucy Ogletree and her husband, Michael Roberts. Their five-acre plot of land itself reflects the couple's artistic vision of a simpler life, rural and whimsical. Approached down a long...more

Originality and Soul

my first glimpse almost brought me to tears...

My husband David and I wanted to thank you for generously opening your beautiful facility to us and all the visitors you accommodate. I had found you via the internet and dragged my reluctant husband with me. Winter Wheat worked its magic because he hasn’t stopped talking about it since :). It may sound corny to say this , but my first glimpse almost brought me to tears because of it’s originality and soul.

It’s obvious that the two of you love what you do. I felt like a child opening amazing gifts. With each step we had to just stand still and absorb our surroundings for fear we’d miss something. It was sensory overload of the best kind. We bought a few things at the gift shop (who could not with all of the inspiration surrounding us) and everytime we look at it will be reminded of Winter Wheat. We appreciate all of the hard work and heart work that went into making Winter Wheat what it is. We look forward to visiting again and telling anyone who will listen about this amazing place. Warm regards, Carol Marttini (email: "A house is a home when it nourishes the soul)

When the hermit left

Toronto Star Saturday, September 11, 2004

It's one of the most peaceful and relaxing places to shop for decorations for your home and garden.
Fittingly, it's the former forest abode of a man known as
"the hermit," now transformed by a couple raised on
local farms, who went on to establish their careers in
folk art and chainsaw artistry. more

Memories in paint

The London Free Press, Saturday, January 26, 2002

Lucy Ogletree had always known she could draw, but
she'd never thought of trying her hand at painting.
In 1996, however, her life changed when she began
delving into her past and her imagination, to create
folk art for her home. more