First #WelcomingWeek Art Walk in our Garden
On Friday, September 25th The Environmental Center partnered with City of Bend to host the first ever Welcoming Art Walk in celebration of Welcoming Week. Despite the cold, rainy weather, several community members, families and children showed up to support BIPoC artists.
We featured the artwork of Jefferson Greene, artist and storyteller of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, community member and artist, Rebekah Ratcliff and local Latinx artists, Agla and Madeline Magaña.
We asked attendees to participate by writing their responses to four questions around: what welcoming means to them, what food means to them, what kinds of food hold cultural and personal meaning, and what kinds of foods they’d want to see cultivated in a community garden. See below for a few of the responses.
What design elements would make a garden space welcoming to you? ¿Qué elementos de diseño haría un espacio de jardín para sentirse bienvenido?
Fuentes de agua y cascades(water fountains and waterfalls), Art, Interactive garden features, Places to sit, Activity for littles, Diferentes culturas(different cultures)
What is your favorite homestyle meal? ¿Cuál es su comida favorita hecha en casa?
Mac n cheese, Tater-tot casserole, Chicken and wild rice soup, Carne asada(grilled steak), Lentejas(Lentils), Plant based burgers, Biscuits, Tinga de pollo(shredded chicken with tomatoes, chipotle chilis, and sliced onions), Pozole, Chilaquiles, Enchiladas verdes, Chiles rellenos, Mole
What does welcoming mean to you? What does it look/feel like to feel welcomed? ¿Qué significa para usted la bienvenida?
Kindness, Love, Amor, Belonging
What foods would you want to grow in a garden? ¿Qué alimentos quieres crecer en un jardín?
Sweet corn, Tomato, Peppers, Herbs, Jalapenos, Pumpkins, Super kale, Mango trees, Orange trees, Squash, Watermelon, Medicine, Aguacates(avocados)
We really appreciated seeing these community responses regarding how we can create a more welcoming and inclusive space through food, art and culture. We hope to grow this event next year! Cheers! Saludos!
