The Press Release:
Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, a nonprofit cultural center located at the historic site of the 1969 Woodstock Festival, announced today an initiative titled Growing Hope. Together with Sullivan Renaissance, a beautification and community development initiative of the Gerry Foundation, Growing Hope will provide flower-growing kits and art supplies to school students who are presently at home due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Kits will be distributed at the end of April. The community will be invited later in the season to plant a peace garden at the historic Woodstock festival site later in the year.

Regardless of the global circumstance, Bethel Woods and Sullivan Renaissance remain committed to inspiring and empowering the people who have touched the organizations by creating opportunities for shared experiences, learning, and engagement with the arts.

The goal of this project is to strengthen the personal and communal connections that have been weakened by social isolation in order to retain creativity, positivity, and productivity. Engaging in purposeful activities, both mindful and physical, and nurturing the self and others is essential to coping during this crisis. The organizations believe Growing Hope will address these needs and help to keep the community connected as participants nurture seeds at home, share growth progress, and look forward to the culmination of their efforts in a shared garden for all to enjoy. Students may also choose to keep their flowers and vegetables at home. It is the goal of Growing Hope to empower people of all ages to realize their potential through the influence of art and shared experiences.

“It is clear that the virus outbreak has caused enormous disruption for individuals, families, and communities across the world. While managing physical health concerns and reducing the spread of illness is the priority at present, we would be remiss if we failed to address the impacts this crisis will have on the social and emotional wellness of our community,” said Eric Frances, Chief Executive Officer, Bethel Woods Center for the Arts.

“We are happy to join forces with Bethel Woods to remind people of the ‘power of flowers’ to not only add beauty, but to heal and bring people together,” said Denise Frangipane, Sullivan Renaissance Executive Director.

Kits will be dropped off at the following Sullivan County schools: Liberty High School, Sullivan West Elementary School, Roscoe Central School, Benjamin Cosor Elementary School, Livingston Manor Central School, Eldred Central School, and Tri-Valley Central School. They will distributed during meal deliveries or be available for pick-up Mondays from 9am-11am. Additional kits will be available at The Museum at Bethel Woods, Mondays-Fridays from 10am-4pm. Vehicles can drive into the circle for a contact-free pickup.

Kits will include:
* Clay pots with paint and brushes to customize
* Seeds and soil
* Directions with additional resources for families at home

A dedicated webpage has been created that includes painting inspiration, a place to share information about how one’s plant is growing, and additional creative activities to do at home. To learn more, visit BethelWoodsCenter.Org/AtHome.

About Sullivan Renaissance:
Sullivan Renaissance is a beautification and community development initiative of the Gerry Foundation. Learn more at SullivanRenaissance.org or Facebook.com/SullivanRenaissance

About Bethel Woods Center for the Arts:
Bethel Woods Center for the Arts inspires, educates, and empowers individuals through the arts and humanities by presenting a diverse selection of culturally-rich performances, popular artists, and community and educational programming. Located 90 miles from New York City at the site of the 1969 Woodstock festival in Bethel, NY, the lush 800-acre campus includes a Pavilion Stage amphitheater with seating for 15,000, an intimate 440-seat indoor Event Gallery, the award-winning Museum at Bethel Woods, and a Conservatory for arts education programming.

Through the in-depth study and exhibition of the social, political, and cultural events of the 1960s, as well as the preservation of the historic site of the Woodstock Music and Art Fair, Bethel Woods educates individuals about the issues and lessons of the decade while inspiring a new generation to contribute positively to the world around them. The not-for-profit organization relies on the generous support of individuals, corporations, and foundations to develop and sustain programs that improve the quality of life in the region and beyond.

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Piercing Ken Thoughts: Not much to add about this but I wanted to share the news since I felt it was the kind of positive alert that we all need during this critical time. I love the idea of this as it will teach a better sense of appreciation of the environment and that my friends is a very good thing. We only have one planet so we need to learn how to better take care of it. What do you think? Chime in down below. See you next time.

Official Websites:
Bethel Woods Center for The Arts: http://www.BethelWoodsCenter.org