Gallery Space: A Breath of Beauty in Winter

     American artist Georgia O'Keefe (1887-1986) said,"I found I could say things with colors and shapes that I couldn't say any other way---things I had no words for."

     Art is an often-used medium at Laraway, providing opportunities for the children and youth we serve to "say things" with art, to express emotions and creativity.  From the Art Room at our school to craft activities in our foster care and behavioral intervention programs, Laraway is ablaze in color.

     A new exhibit in Laraway's Gallery Space is the work of our of our youth whose inclination to paint large, colorful flowers, reminds one of O'Keefe's work.  This young person was first introduced to art when she was very young, by a family member who is an artist. 

     The exhibit is up until the end of February.  For more information or to arrange a visit, please contact Katherine at Kstamper@Laraway.org or (802) 635-2805 x 106. 

Plan 'Til You're Planted

This month, the Laraway Art Gallery is featuring a slightly different form of art- garden plans! The garden plans were made by students during a Farmer on Site lesson in January and their feedback was integrated into the 2016 garden design. Please stop by and check out the creative ideas students have for this upcoming growing season. 

Plan ‘Til You’re Planted

On a cold January day, huddled inside a cozy, heated yurt, Laraway students directed their attention away from the snow on the ground outside and thought of sunshine, flowers, and tasty produce. During the first Farmer on Site of the year, the Land Stewardship team facilitated a garden planning workshop with school groups. Surrounded by pictures of creative garden designs, piles of books, and lots of colored pencils, crayons, and plenty of magazines to make collages, students got to work drawing a vision of what they would like to see in the Laraway gardens this upcoming year. Ideas big and small were crafted, including a hot pepper patch to be turned into tasty hot sauce, flowers of all kinds spread throughout the garden, and a dragon sculpture bench. Staff feedback also suggested a quiet space, pumpkin patch, and outdoor classroom. Students reminisced about produce they enjoyed last season and would like to continue to grow such as green beans, tomatoes, and carrots. As they flipped through seed catalogues, new types of plants caught their eyes such as sunchokes, wild roses, and rhubarb. From that planning session, a garden plan has been crafted and preparations are starting to be made for projects. Students will be starting seeds at the end of February, building projects will start up in March, and plants will be in the ground by April. We look forward to a creative, educational, and bountiful 2016 garden season!

If you have any ideas or would like to be more involved feel free to email Ginny (gcooke@laraway.org) or Cornelius (cornelius@laraway.org).    

A Dragon Sculpture Bench to sit on during outdoor classes.

An Earth Bed to relax and rejuvenate in the garden.

A collage of flowers- one group of students expressed in interest in planting "flowers everywhere"!

2016 Laraway Garden Plan

You're Invited: Open House at Laraway's Morrisville Office

   

     Did you know that Laraway opened an office in Morrisville?  Our Backpack Program, providers of public-school-based behavioral intervention supports and consultations, now has its own office at 30 Mountain View Plaza, Units 3 & 4 in Morrisville.  Space needs and a desire to locate program staff closer to where clients reside precipitated the move.

     Join us for an Open House at Backpack's NEW office in Morrisville on Thursday, February 18th, 2016 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.  Meet our staff, sample light refreshments and learn about the program.

     Please RSVP by Thursday, February 11th to Jena at 802-635-2805 x 226 or JGouldHopkins@Laraway.org,  We hope to see you there!