Art Show Opening Reception Recap

Art Show: Giving Tree

Working with children is one of the greatest gifts in the entire world. Children are learning about the world through their interactions with their environment and relationships to others. They approach life with curiosity, present mindedness, reflection and are incredibly relationship driven individuals. Unfortunately, society can sometimes be so blind to the teachings of children and to the ways of being childlike. This lack of regard for children is one of the biggest mistakes we can make as a human society. We need to provide opportunities for children to feel honored, respected, and valued in relationships and in community and help guide them to understand their influence in the larger community. The foundation of our care for children at Cultivate begins with relationships and community. We often ask ourselves questions in this pursuit of cultivating an environment where all children (from birth forward) understand that their life has meaning and purpose. What does it mean to be in relationship with one another? What does it mean to build relationships that are mutually respectful and kind? What does it mean to equally contribute to relationships? What can we learn from each other to help raise up our self and collected consciousness? How can children contribute to society in ways that are meaningful? How can we share space with children in ways that provide agency and influence for children? How can we teach about community and the interconnectedness of community? How can we teach children about self while also teaching about the importance of the collective. The artistic concept of The Giving Tree takes the narrative of Shel Silverstein ’ s book, The Giving Tree, and provides opportunities for children to give to the tree; to shower the tree with items, objects, and memories that are incredibly meaningful to them. Through this practice of giving, children are able to share a piece of their environment and their meaningful treasures with the greater community. The community is then able to honor the meaning of children and begin to ask questions about how children make sense of the world and the environment. The gifts that the children bring to the tree are unique to them and wholly individual. They are unguided and simply based on the child’ s willingness and ability to give meaning to an object and then to give the object away. The tree represents a reminder of the interconnectedness of nature and self. In our fast paced environment, it is easy to ignore our relationship with nature and how we are connected to it. And, it’ s important to remember that we are in relationship with everything around us. Finally, the entire show in partnership with the Carnegie Arts Center is an artistic expression of collaboration, community, and connection. We are working together to create meaningful spaces of community and connection in ways that are honoring ALL members of our community. We are helping to build spaces that provide agency, influence and opportunity for children to engage in their community in meaningful ways. We are cultivating relationships, love, and community in authentic ways, which is the greatest gift of all.

Once there was a tree and she loved…

If you were not able to make it to the opening reception – don 't fret, you still have a handful of opportunities to check it out! The 'Giving Tree ' will be on display during open hours through August 6th.

The Giving Tree, now on display July 22 – August 6

Thursday: 1–7pm Friday: 1–4pm Saturday: 11am–5pm

Art Show Opening Reception: July 22nd

The Art Show Opening Reception was a huge success! Thank you to all of our families for joining us!

Huge shout out to the Buchert Family for sponsoring our food and drinks at the Cultivate Mankato Art Show opening reception! Because of their $300 donation, we were able to provide wine, lemonade and hor d’ eurves catered by Cultivate Kitchen. Liv Benson, our Central Kitchen & Food Coordinator, and her assistant, Paige Walters, not only makes all of the meals for our children, but for Cultivate Kitchen as well. Thank you Liv and Paige! www.cultivatemankato.com/cultivate-kitchen