More Gardens’ 20th-year Celebration
Growing Art & Justice in the Community Gardens
More Gardens and Loisaida will be working jointly with 2 community gardens in the Lower East side, throughout the months of April and May, culminating in 2 days of festivities highlighting the deep-rooted stories of NYC’s diversity, culture, and green mystery. It is More Garden’s 20th-year anniversary highlighting its part in the preservation of over 500 community gardens citywide.
Goals:
This community process and series of events and artworks will build on the growing web of community activists working together to create a vibrant, regenerative culture on the Lower East Side while protecting valuable resources for the neighborhood's vibrant culture to be sustained and to grow. We will continue to enlarge a supportive network of people to protect and nurture the roots of long term members of the neighborhood with the power of arts, celebration, and community engagement including the collaboration of youth and elders.
Meetings and Workshops will be held throughout May at Children's Magical Garden, and El Jardin Paraiso community gardens. Artists, local schools groups, community centers, and volunteers will work together with the gardeners to brainstorm, build giant puppets, masks, costumes, and installations, and create performances, culminating in the May 25-26th festivities.
Workshop Dates May 5th through May 24th:
Workshops: 1 PM - Sunset, weather permitting*
Children’s Magical Garden -
Tuesday, May 7th, 14th, and 21st
Thursdays, May 9th, 16th, and 23rd
Sunday, May 12th and Saturday, May 19th,
El Jardin Paraiso -
Wednesday May 8th, 15th, and 22nd
Friday (or Monday), May 10th, 17th, and 24th
Saturday, May 11th and Sunday, May 18th (fewer puppeteers),
Rain Location - Loisaida Center or 4th Street/Avenue A - Corner Bank
Saturday, May 25th Telling the story of 2 community gardens
1pm-3pm - Children’s Magical Garden*
Procession to next garden
3.15-5.30pm - El Jardin Paraiso*
The art will remain up for at least a month after the Festival
*Art and Performances are to be determined by each community garden
Sunday, May 26th Loisaida Festival - The community gardens will be joining the Loisaida Festival Parade, Pageant, and festivities.
We join the Parade with all our creations!