In our continued effort to cultivate urban community green-space, we are long-standing observers of value, added from a platform of “flexibility.”
Our flexibility begins with Land acquisition. The Land offers access, space, and the opportunity to meander through a practical execution of our thoughts, plans, and designs in an outdoor classroom or, in other words, a laboratory of good will and resilience. We are free to try, to fail and to change course and to try again — a priceless opportunity! The number of successes counted from this “flexible approach” are many and have, in their accumulation, sturdied-up our “hedge of organic sustainability.”
In this new season, as spring turns to summer, our sites are on history and agriculture; public art and impact and the newness found in the illustration of the past. We’re excited to actualize our plan starting with Juneteenth — a celebration surrounding the Emancipation of enslaved people of color in the southern region of these United States.
We’re growing Cotton. Hopefully, with much success, a small cotton field to offer tactile context referencing the Southern and global dominance of the crop. We’ve begun planting “brown cotton” seeds sourced from what is considered the “deep south” that is the Mississippi delta. While Texas most certainly has a history for cotton plantations, our goal as always is to bring conversation (consumption and utilization) around varying cultures. In this example, it is the historical culture of Southern agriculture. We’ll also plant: Sugar Cane, Okra, Watermelons, Peanuts, Sweet Potatoes, and Tabbacco. Already on deck are our fruit trees and shrubs: Peaches, Plums, Blackberries, Bananas, Citrus, Pears, Figs and grapes. Our orchard is made complete with the speckling of a few Pecan Trees continuing to mature.
A Public Art installation is underway as well with the latest piece having recently been delivered. “The Cross” is a touring art installation created by the talent of artist, Kimberly Lakes and is constructed of wire and found objects. We are excited to offer a home to the public exhibition of the piece. The objective is to welcome contemplation of its meaning as it relates to imagery in the fields of the south and its symbolism in the context of our confines — the Cotton Field. The Cross will take on some on-site restoration in preparation for its exhibition placement as we get ready for our Juneteenth Garden Space.
