Summer 2022 at The Commonwealth

Summer at The Commonwealth is always a special time; full of community, fellowship, food, art, culture, and work. The Summer of 2022 was more vibrant than ever; deeply rooted in Routine, Ritual, and Reflection and the continuation of long-standing summer urban ecology programming… and full of exciting new spaces and events like the opening of Civic Arts Church and the inaugural convening of our national network of Values-Based Partners.

We invite you to read more about the dynamic and vibrant summer at The Commonwealth. 

2022 Urban Ecology Global Fellows

Summer 2022 kicked off with the arrival of 7 diverse and dynamic students and recent graduates who joined the 2022 cohort of Urban Ecology Global Fellows on Monday, June 13. On what would be one of the hottest weather of the summer, Fellows were disoriented through hands-on work at The Commonwealth. Fellows quickly connected with one another, the land, and the SWF team in preparation for the arrival of more than 80 Values-Based Partners on Wednesday, June 15.  Read more about the 2022 Fellows here.  

2022 National Convening of SWF’s Values-Based Partners (VBP)

From Wednesday, June 15 - Friday, June 17, SWF hosted its inaugural Values-Based Partner Convening with the theme: [Re]Generate Across Generations. More than 80 VBPs from across the country joined us at The Commonwealth for a hands-on experience to connect with each other, the land, and the values of Regenerative Neighborhood Development.  Read more about the 2022 VBP convening here.

Fifth Annual Juneteenth Celebration at The Commonwealth

On Saturday, June 18, 2021, SWF hosted its Fifth Annual Juneteenth Celebration. More than 400 people converged at The Commonwealth to create, build, and celebrate freedom + community. The main event this year was Sweet Water Foundation’s first Intergenerational Fashion Show entitled “Walking in the Wisdom of Our Elders.”  Read more about the Fifth Annual Juneteenth Celebration here.

Inaugural Concert in Civic Arts Church featuring Kombelisa Mi

On Friday, July 15, SWF welcomed more than 75 visitors for our first music performance in Civic Arts Church featuring Kombelisa Mi, an Afro-Colombian group from San Basilio De Palenque in Colombia. Civic Arts Church was transformed through the energy of their music.

Seeding The Future Field Lessons

In late July, we welcomed middle school students from the garden club at Beasley Elementary School, located one mile from The Commonwealth and high school students from Austin Grown, a summer program based on Chicago’s West side. During their visits, the students plugged into farming and gardening work with our team and saw the ways they could translate the practice of Regenerative Neighborhood Development into their own schools and neighborhoods. 

Weekly Rituals | Community Wellness Wednesdays, Civic Arts Friday, and Markets

This summer, we continued the weekly rituals of Wellness Wednesdays, Civic Arts Fridays, and our weekly Friday Farmer’s Market. Each Wednesday, local residents, partners, and volunteers plugged into farm and garden work during a day dedicated to promoting wellness in the community through nourishment of connections to one another and the land. Every Wednesday after working outside, we shared a meal prepared by a SWF team member using produce from the Community Farm. Meals featured cabbage, chard, peppers, potatoes, carrots, beans, tomatoes, garlic, onions, and fresh herbs from the farm. 

A variety of arts, culture, and crafts - Civic Arts - were integrated into our Friday Farmer’s Markets. Visitors of all ages were invited to express their creativity at the art table and experience music from local drummers. From nature prints, to rubber band bracelets, to nature mosaics, the art station was a popular spot during the market. 

2022 Urban Ecology Global Summer Fellows’ Final Presentation 

Summer culminated in late August with the Summer 2022 Urban Ecology Global Fellows final presentation delivered virtually and in-person from the Civic Arts Church to an audience of more than 70 Values-Based Partners, family + friends, community members, and representatives from colleges, universitIes, and other educational partners.  Click here to view their presentation.

As we shift to fall formations, the Sweet Water team is grateful for the support, hard work, and connections cultivated in Summer 2022.  

There GROWS the neighborhood!