ArtisTree Gardens5501 Martin Ln., TampaNick Ewing runs a 2.6-acre sustainability showcase near the border of Temple Terrace and Tampa—and he’s in the business of pollinating people. At his ArtistTree Gardens, the 31-year-old who wears many hats (musician, beekeeper, farmer), Ewing welcomes anyone who’s interested to learn about his garden and apiary. “The best ability is availability,” Ewing told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay about his approach to educating his neighbors. When he’s not welcoming folks to ArtisTree, he’s bringing the project to the community via classes that teach people how to cook with locally grown food, or to private and commercial clients who’ve asked Ewing to help their own corner of the community. ArtisTree works closely with Visit Tampa Bay as well as the Coalition of Community Gardens as well.—Ray Roa Credit: Photo via ArtisTree Gardens

The earth’s gifts to us are not infinite, and ArtisTree Gardens (stylized “ArtisTREE”) wants to help Tampa Bay businesses to do something about it.

The company, founded by musician, beekeeper and gardener-farmer Nick Ewing, curates public and private immersive experiences centered around sustainability and education, with a focus on locally-grown food, wellness and creativity.

The food it brings to events is grown within its network of local farmers or onsite at ArtistTree Gardens in Temple Terrace. “We believe that these strategies promote food sovereignty and reduce waste and cost to our clients across their system,” Ewing wrote in a statement.

To share his vision with the Ybor City business community, Ewing brings ArtistTree Gardens to the district for a 12 hour concert, showcase and market that brings other players in the Bay area’s sustainability, urban agriculture, permaculture, science and commerce spaces.

Nearly a dozen vendors will be onsite as live music from a dozen homegrown acts takes the stages.

Funds raised will go to local garden ecosystems and eco-projects in the Bay area.

It’s pay-what-you-can for “12 Hours For Earth” happening at Crowbar in Ybor City on Saturday, April 19, but the suggested donation is $30.

This article appears in Apr 10-16, 2025.

Read his 2016 intro letter and disclosures from 2022 and 2021. Ray Roa started freelancing for Creative Loafing Tampa in January 2011 and was hired as music editor in August 2016. He became Editor-In-Chief...