Summer Time Shine!

Now that spring is officially upon us, our Chicago Studio artists are taking advantage of the weather and an awesome gardening opportunity in Humboldt Park!

[Image: Arts of Life artists working in the garden]

This Spring, The Arts of Life has had the unique opportunity to partner with Rouge Philanthropy to secure a spot in the Bon Appetit Garden in the Humboldt Park neighborhood. Every Monday, a member of the Chicago studio Horticulture Committee and two or three additional artists accompany staff to take care of the garden’s needs.

[Image: Artists planting seeds and tending to the garden beds]

In the past three weeks, nine different artists have visited and assisted with the garden! The first week focused on planting a huge assortment of seeds, getting the Arts of Life/Rouge plot into shape, and learning basic chicken care (yes, we have chickens!). The following week, despite dreary weather, a brave group of artists helped plant additional seeds in the raised bed, replant some pre-sprouted herbs in a communal herb plot, and also wrangled worms for a worm bin composting system that the garden space houses!

In our third week, we replanted our newly sprouted veggies in the raised bed, harvested some chives and asparagus, assisted in preparing a corner of the garden space for a new community deck, and of course, gave the chickens some TLC!

[Image: Artists tending to the chickens and garden beds]

It’s going to be an exciting summer full of fresh veggies and new experiences! If you are in Humboldt Park on a Monday—feel free to stop by!