EXTENDED: Communities of Hope: Gardening Through the Pandemic” by Patricia Crutchfield
Nov 4, 2020 - Nov 22, 2020 | Themes: Photo Journalism
A photojournalistic story of Patricia Crutchfield's observation and connection with Springfield youth at Gardening the Community.
- Pat Crutchfield has successfully completed another near year-long adventure with her camera.
- Under the continued theme of Social Justice, Pat selected this community garden, Gardening the Community in Springfield, MA.
- After meeting with those in charge, she regularly visited the garden creating images of their planning, planting, cultivating, tools, May flower-sale, the Store, and harvest exercises.
- Pat is not remotely repetitive and has an innate sense of composition.
- The prints will be exhibited through November 22.
- In respect to the pandemic, two Gallery Visitors will be admitted in 15-minute cycles by appointment.
- Gallery Hours: Tuesdays, Wednesdays. Sundays, 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm.
- Please call 413-529-2635 or contact us at floyd@floydgallery.com
- We will also share a video based on the exhibit on our Gallery newsletter and Sunday afternoon Zoom Gallery Conversations.
- Thank you.
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Artist Statement:
On its website, Gardening the Community (GTC) describes itself as “a food justice organization engaged in youth development, urban agriculture and sustainable living to build healthy and equitable communities.”
It is all of that ... and then some. Visit the GTC website: www.gardeningthecommunity.org. The organization offers a wide variety of programs for Springfield youth.
I became aware of GTC when I read on Facebook that two of the agency’s bicycles had been stolen. We had two we hadn’t used for a very long time. I contacted GTC, put the bikes in my car, and drove to Springfield. When I met Ibrahim Ali (GTC Co-Executive Director), I asked if I could photograph the gardens as he, the staff, and the youth went about their work. He said yes, and starting in February of this year, I visited the gardens on Walnut and Hancock Streets at least once a week to photograph the growing season as it progressed. I feel blessed that, even in a pandemic, I had the opportunity to photograph and share the good work of GTC.
I am especially pleased to be able to photograph the young people engaged in the work of gardening, team building, and learning. They are gaining a multitude of sustainable skills applicable in gardening and in life. Much of this exhibit features photos of this talented and energetic group: I congratulate and celebrate them. And, as always, I appreciate Robert Floyd’s unwavering support for my vision of using my camera as a beam to shine a light on the social justice issues facing us.
