The first time was so nice we got invited back to do it twice (in the same year no less)!
Feeling like the first time, “Soul Fest” Fall 2023 was charming and soul satisfying in the confines of an open-air courtyard. The continuation of this “cultural anthology of life depictions” was interpreted through sight, sound, taste and movement and maintained its original theme: “Keep On Keeping On!” with a focus on honoring legacy and tradition through the lens of preservation and reverence.
Chef Tarsha presented a talk highlighting seasonal flavors and the timely use of root vegetables fresh from the Fall garden. Sticking to the the subject of Preservation the topic of “canning and traditional methods of preserving a bountiful harvest” (particularly utilizing mason jars) prefaced a couple of cooking demonstrations to include: “Ms. T’s Quick Pickles” and “Pumpkin Sweet Potato Hash.” The crowd, intrigued to witness actual pickles being made in front of their very eyes, relished in the taste of unexpected flavor combinations and light bites of organic produce. It was another great demonstration of how culinary skill impacts cultural history and food ways.
In our latest urban project, ECOTONE World sets out to bring beautification to various garden green spaces benefiting Houston communities.
“Every garden has its own atmosphere, shape and charm, made considerably better by the presence of art! Community gardens should reflect culture and the aspirations of the people tending them. “Green space” has an impact on everyone, including the casual on-looker who has an opportunity to observe the space through public displays; views of abundant harvests, and/or a vibrant stimulation of wildlife (birds, bees, butterflies and such).” Since the days of “pandemic lock-down” when the whole world experienced isolation, fear and trauma, there was a natural inclination to turn to Mother Nature. It was kind of like opening and closing our eyes. Adopting a reverence for time to actually bask in the sun, or deeply breathe in less polluted air came easy. Even animals blurred the lines of established boundaries and roamed freely on what was natural to them — green space! In an unprecedented way we were introduced to the value of self-care to include gardening and deliberate mental health routines (yoga, writing, sewing and such). We were desperate to “calm our nerves” and bring about some sense of normalcy and regain control. And we gardeners rounded our emotions by putting our hands in the dirt; planting seeds and endeavoring to create hand-made beauty in our surroundings.
The “Urban Garden Experience” [“UGE”] presents an opportunity to engage an inter-generational swath of community folks in the beautification of community green space. The intended outcome is to enliven a “spirit of community through the activation of art, color and culturally based imaging.
Our first “UGE” target green space is a backdrop of the Courtyard at the Third Ward Multi Service Center, located at 3611 Ennis St., Houston, TX 77004. ECOTONE World moves forward in 2024 to complete our “Urban Garden Experience” mosaic mural project to artistically impact the visual aesthetic of a courtyard area where Seniors receive daily meals and engage in other social activities.
In these “First, Second and Third Rounds,”of curating the mural we EDUCATE, CULTIVATE and ACTIVATE summer camp students of Shape Community Center; students from Spectrum Arts NOLA and students from Energy Institute High School. It should be noted that Shape Community Center alongside Community Artists’ Collective have been Community Partners of Chef Tarsha and ECOTONE World for many years.
3rd Round: Students from Energy Institute High School in Third Ward (Winter 2023)
2nd Round: Students Touring from Spectrum Arts NOLA (New Orleans, Louisiana) (Fall 2023)
1st Round: Summer Camp Students of S.H.A.P.E. Community Center (Summer 2023)
This summer we stretched our podcast-legs and took a trip to Urban Fresh Gardens located in Waterbury, CT to speak with its founder Gregory Knight! Having already bridged a connection between our urban planning in Texas to their gardens in Connecticut, it was a pleasure to finally meet the man with the plan in person. Taking a seat at their Hill Street Garden location, my conversation with Greg was easy. We discussed his life growing up in Kingston, Jamaica; the dedication to youth mentorship; and his growing success as an urban garden steward.
