As the vibrant and productive summer of 2021 comes to a close, the Sweet Water Foundation team is taking time to reflect on the transformative experiences that transpired and the many relationships cultivated. This summer, The Commonwealth truly came to life as a “Communiversity,” a place where local youth and residents, artists, university students, recent graduates, and Values-Based Partners from community-based organizations near and far connected through hard work, dialogue and immersion in the practice of Regenerative Neighborhood Development.
SWF’s Friday Farmer’s Market also took on new life this summer with the addition of weekly drum and dance circles and new local vendors. Beyond having access to fresh produce harvested from the Community Farm, market visitors enjoyed music, danced, played, and supported local vendors selling honey, handmade skincare products, fresh lemonade, and hand-carved wood products.
Last, but far from least… Sweet Water Foundation is excited to share the opening of the second installation in the Thought Barn - We The Publics...from Bounded Rationality to Unbounded Possibilities. The We The Publics... exhibit is a catalytic assemblage of art, artifacts, and history exploring the many facets and dimensions of the publics and public trust.
We invite you to read on to learn more about Summer 2021 at The Commonwealth.
There GROWS the neighborhood!
IN THIS ISSUE:
People- Humans of Sweet Water...Meet Patrice Patterson
Humans of Sweet Water… Meet Patrice PattersonPatrice is a local resident, SWF Value-Based Partner, co-founder of Mama Moore’s Smart Garden, and founder of BeYOUtifully Abundant. She has been activating a community garden on Chicago’s South Side since 2018, and has been connected with Sweet Water Foundation since 2019. Sweet Water Foundation is excited to introduce Patrice, her involvement with our Values-Based Partner Network, our connection with Mama Moore’s Smart Garden, and her experience as an entrepreneur. We invite you to read more about Patrice.
NOT YOUR AVERAGE INTERNSHIP | SUMMER 2021 FELLOWSHIP AT THE 'COMMUNIVERSITY'
Sweet Water Foundation’s Urban Ecology Global Fellowship offers an alternative to traditional internships, providing a unique “Communiversity” settingin which university students and recent grads are grounded in hands-on work and community engagement as they grapple with academic theory in the face of real world problems and solutions. Read more.
SUMMER 2021 RECAP | A VIBRANT SUMMER AT THE COMMONWEALTH
Summer 2021 at The Commonwealth was jam-packed and full of vibrant arts, cultural, and educational programming that engaged a diverse and intergenerational audience of local residents and learners, leaders, and artists from near and far.Read More.
CULINARY EXPERIENCES AT THE COMMONWEALTH
Cultivating fresh, locally grown food is an essential part of daily practice at Sweet Water Foundation. Learning to cook the bountiful harvest that we cultivate is equally important and, this summer, became a new and exciting ritual of the Urban Ecology Apprenticeship program. Read more.
EVENTS
What's Happening at The Commonwealth?
EVERY
FRIDAY
12:00 - 2:00 PM
SWF's Farmer's Market
Every Friday between 12:00 - 2:00 pm, stop by the SWF Community Garden (64 W. 57th Place) for locally grown, fresh produce. Produce will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please bring your own bag!
COVID-19 Protocols: Sweet Water Foundation continues to follow social distancing and mask wearing protocols at The Commonwealth.
WEDNESDAYS
SEPT
&
OCT
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
We The Publics...from Bounded Rationality to Unbounded Possibilities
Sweet Water Foundation is excited to launch We The Publics...from Bounded Rationality to Unbounded Possibilities, a catalytic assemblage of art, artifacts, and history exploring the many facets and dimensions of the publics and public trust. For over a decade our work has been in the service of cultivating neighborhoods as we live our motto, “There GROWS the Neighborhood.” This exhibit shares the collective works and perspective of the Sweet Water Foundation community to provoke a reframing and reclaiming of the ‘Publics’ for all. Click here to register.
This summer, Sweet Water Foundation team members and fellows have been taking turns making simple, fresh dishes to eat during lunch using produce from the SWF Community Farm. In July, one of the Summer Fellows from Yale University shared a campus favorite, Kale and Feta Meatballs. The tasty "meat"balls were an instant hit with the SWF team, fellows, apprentices, and, even, visitors who happened to stop by that day!
