The Garden of Fire festival held last Friday, August 18th at CareFirst was fabulous! The festival was tremendously successful, thanks to the outstanding support from the community, amazing educators, talented artists and volunteers. Here are some pictures from the day. Thank you to Dan Gallagher for documenting the festival so well and capturing the essence of the program through incredible photography and video!
The Native American Council of Corning Incorporated joined us for the opening ceremony. Musician Sue Spencer lead us through the chants she previously wrote with the youth participants during one of the sessions, drumming to the chorus, “Thank You Mother Earth”.
The activities were a blast. Thank you to the Food Bank of the Southern Tier, SSC Library, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Corning Museum of Glass, Wegmans – Corning, Zumba Instructors Gianna Lutz and Amanda Wylie and to all the collaborators who made this day so special!
Corning Catering generously supported the festival by providing a tasty lunch for everyone!
Thank you to the Addison and Corning-Painted Post Area School Districts for supporting this program and making Garden of Fire an incredible experience for all the youth participants!
The adobe mud sculptures on display at the festival were created with artists Tony Moretti and Gwen Quigley at one of the sessions leading up to the event. Watch the Adobe Clay Creation Time Loop Video here.
The closing ceremony brought everyone together for one last musical chant honoring mother earth.
This program is supported in part by The Triangle Fund, Community Foundation of Elmira-Corning and the Finger Lakes and Rose’s Youth Philanthropists.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to make the event so wonderful!
Amy Ruza
Youth and Family Programs Educator
The Rockwell Museum
Garden of Fire 