Summer at the Guild
The days are long, the gardens are full, and the Guild is humming with life. July brought a steady rhythm of celebration and connection: our joyful Fourth of July gathering, with good food, old friends, and the occasional firework; a constant stream of guests and artists bringing fresh energy to the place. There’s been a sense of fullness in the air, of days stretching out with purpose and play.
Flowers in bloom outside the hall
A highlight of the month was the incredible performance of The Tempest by Shake on the Lake. The actors brought music, laughter, and depth to the stage, and the Q&A with director Josh Rice lingered in conversation long after the applause ended. It was a beautiful reminder of what shared creative space can do. We’re grateful to the Rochester Area Community Foundation, NYSCA, and the Yates County Tourism Advisory Council for supporting this program as part of our Lecture on the Lawn series.
The month ahead promises to be another full and joyful one. On August 3rd, we’ll host our next Lecture on the Lawn, an afternoon of poetry featuring several local writers. Shortly after, our annual Craft Weekend runs from August 7-10, with four days of hands-on exploration in woodturning, weaving, pottery, and more. And at the end of the month, we’ll celebrate the wedding of two of our residents!
What a beautiful season it’s been here in our community. Thank you, as always, for your love and support. Keep reading for garden news, upcoming events, and snapshots of life on the farm.
From the Garden
Cordelia, head of our garden team, is deep into the summer rhythm, tending a diverse and thriving mix of crops in the heat of the season.
Zucchini, squash, green beans, lettuce, garlic, and eggplant are all coming along, and tomatoes are growing steadily on the vine. Scattered throughout the beds you’ll also find chard, strawberries, indigo for dyeing, lots of flowers, and more. It’s a beautiful sight, thanks to the care and collaboration of the garden team.
One new approach this year is interplanting, a method of growing different crops together in the same space. It helps improve soil health and makes the most of each bed. You’ll spot green onions beside celery, and beets tucked in with the corn.
Papalo, an herb commonly grown in Mexico, is thriving in one sunny bed. With a flavor somewhere between cilantro, arugula, and lime, it’s amazing in salsa!
The only real troublemaker this season? A particularly bold woodchuck who seems to have a taste for carrot tops and bean leaves. But despite his antics, the garden is thriving.
Join us for upcoming events!
Thanks for spending a bit of time with us. Whether you’ve been here recently or are simply following along from afar, we’re glad to be connected. There’s so much still to come this season, and we hope to see you soon, on the lawn, in the studio, or wandering the garden path.
With love,
All of us at the Folk Art Guild
