Grace Farms Foundation

We are thrilled to welcome visitors of all ages to attend the Humanity in Architecture Film Festival, taking place on Friday, January 24th and Saturday, January 25th, at Grace Farms! Hosted in partnership with Architecture and Design Film Festival, it is going to be an unforgettable weekend filled with inspiring films, dynamic conversations, and more, all celebrating architecture's indelible impact on people and communities. We're excited to kick off the Festival with our opening night premiere of "Strange & Familiar: Architecture on Fogo Island" and a dynamic conversation with visionary Zita Cobb and Grace Farms CEO and Founder, Sharon Prince, alongside Kyle Bergman, Festival Director & Founder of Architecture & Design Film Festival, and Toshihiro Oki, Grace Farms Architecture Advisor. Saturday's lineup includes a variety of films, including Tokyo Ride and Sitting Still with Laurie Olin, that each speak to our longstanding belief that architecture moves us and inspires us to address the most pressing humanitarian issues of our time. For more details on what's screening and to get tickets to attend the Humanity in Architecture Film Festival, visit: https://bit.ly/4eZNwBQ

We are delighted to invite visitors to encounter the creative process of James Florio, renowned architectural photographer and Grace Farms Artist-in-Residence, from January 30th through February 2nd, 2025! Step inside the Library as it temporarily transforms into a captivating display of Florio's photography, along with curated elements that represent his Montana studio. Florio has been visiting Grace Farms throughout the seasons, building a unique body of work composed on large format film. As a medium, large format film has a way of removing barriers between the viewer and the image, capturing the world as it is. In his work, Florio has been exploring how the River building harmonizes with the landscape as the seasons change. Like large format film, the River building's glass walls also remove barriers -- between people and nature. In addition to the Library display, Florio will engage in a dynamic discussion with Chelsea Thatcher, Grace Farms Chief Strategy Officer and Founding Creative Director, on January 30th at 7:00 pm. Come to hear his to compelling stories about what's it like to fully immerse oneself in the natural rhythms of nature while documenting the changing seasons at Grace Farms. Register to attend at the conversation and learn more about James Florio: https://bit.ly/4ihfQ5N

Trying to decide on the perfect gift this holiday season? Look no further than a membership to Grace Farms! Throughout our Season of Light, enjoy 10% off individual and family memberships! Grace Farms members benefit from expedited access to our site, discounts on paid programs and retail items, memorable members-only experiences, and the opportunity to share in something greater with a unique gift from Grace Farms Tea & Coffee. Memberships have a significant impact on our mission to advance good, and our local and global initiatives, including the preservation of the River building and its surrounding 80-acres. A Grace Farms membership is a fantastic gift for anyone who loves the arts, nature, architecture, and is interested in being part of a positive change in the world. Gift one now: https://bit.ly/3h4U5LM Photo by Melani Lust

Make it an unforgettable weekend and attend our Humanity in Architecture Film Festival, coming up next month on January 24th and January 25th! View a variety of beautiful and thought-provoking films that each explore the power of architecture to nurture connection, enrich humanity, and remind us of the ability we all possess to make a positive change in the world. It's going to be incredible start on January 24th with the opening night premiere of Strange & Familiar: Architecture on Fogo Island! Following the film, enjoy a meaningful dialogue between one of the primary subjects of the documentary film, visionary Zita Cobb, and Grace Farms CEO and Founder Sharon Prince, alongside Kyle Bergman, Festival Director & Founder of Architecture & Design Film Festival, and Toshihiro Oki, Grace Farms Architecture Advisor. Saturday, January 25th, is going to be fantastic! Come to day two of the festival for a full day of films echoing our belief that architecture moves us and can create new humanitarian outcomes. The day will include such titles as "Biocentrics," "Unfinished Spaces," "Sitting Still with Laurie Olin," "Tokyo Ride," and many more! Attend our Humanity in Architecture Film Festival, hosted in collaboration with Architecture and Design Film Festival. Get tickets: https://bit.ly/3BbE0Ow

This month, on Friday, December 27th, and Saturday, December 28th, find a cozy seat in the Sanctuary and enjoy the stunning vocal talents of acclaimed singer, Alita Moses, as Songs of the Season returns on 3-4pm on both days! Hailing from a musical family and winner of the 2014 Shure Montreux Jazz Vocal Competition, Alita Moses' incredible vocal talents have received international acclaim. Based in Brooklyn, Moses has performed across the globe alongside such A-list musicians as Shawn Mendes, Corinne Bailey-Rae, and Jacob Collier, and she's also performed as a soloist with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra and Philly POPs Orchestra. Songs of the Season is not only a highlight of our Season of Light, but also offers a fun and memorable way for families and friends to spend time together, experience incredible music, and create new memories Learn more about Alita Moses: https://lnkd.in/eqJjp-5P. Songs of the Season is free to attend with daily registration. Pictured: Alita Moses

Need some holiday gifting inspiration? Curate your own personalized "Book Bundle" at Grace Farms to gift a friend, loved one, or colleague this season! Not only will you save 10% on your unique collection, but also take home a complimentary tote bag. The perfect way to bring joy and cheer to someone special this time of year (or a little treat for yourself)! Visit Grace Farms during our Season of Light to create your "Book Bundle" and make the most of our site at the same time. Plan your visit: https://lnkd.in/eiJ9rri5 Photo by Julie Bidwell

Discover the breathtaking architecture of the SANAA-designed River building and how wood is an integral part of its design on a walking tour with Grace Farms' Architecture Advisor, Toshihiro Oki, this Saturday, December 14th, at 2:30pm! This unique tour will provide visitors with a perspective on the wood that comprises the River building, from the way trees felled onsite during construction were repurposed into the Commons' communal wood tables, chairs, and other furniture, and more. Sign up: https://lnkd.in/eFYpCxNi Approved for AIA CES 1.5 LU Thank you to our sponsors CPG Architects, Extravega Milano Srl Società Benefit | B Corp®, and HKS, Inc. Photo: Dean Kaufman

As we observe #HumanRightsDay, we're encouraged to announce our new Design for Freedom International Guidance & Toolkit is available for download. Twenty-eight million people around the world are held in forced labor conditions, many extracting the materials that go into our homes, schools, office buildings, and landscapes. We echo the UN's statement: "This is the time to mobilize action to reinvigorate a global movement for human rights." The Design for Freedom International Guidance & Toolkit, a comprehensive resource for design and construction professionals to implement ethical and forced-labor-free material sourcing strategies into their practices, builds upon the Design for Freedom Toolkit, published in 2022. In tandem with this release is a further amplification of the global Design for Freedom movement, with Elaine Mitchel-Hill's appointment as the first international lead for Design for Freedom, leading strategic partnerships in India and the UK. "Forced labor in the building materials supply chain is a global issue,” said Sharon Prince, Grace Farms' CEO and Founder. “By expanding our engagement in Europe and Asia and issuing the International Guidance and Toolkit geared towards a growing global audience, we are better poised to address this egregious human rights violation together Through new public and private sector partnerships, we are accelerating a radical paradigm shift to design and build a more humane future for all.” The Guidance features contributions from such experts as: Lindsay Baker, Living Future; Dr. Doreen Boyd, School of Geography, University of Nottingham; Dr. James Cockayne, New South Wales Anti-Slavery Commissioner; Benafsha (Bee) Delgado, UN Global Compact Network UK; Anna Dyson, Yale CEA; Fanny Frémont, Responsible Mica Initiative - RMI; Felix Heisel, Circular Construction Lab, Cornell University; John Morrison, Institute for Human Rights and Business; Jonsara Ruth, Healthy Materials Lab at Parsons School of Design; Stefano Savi, Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber (GPSNR); Christopher Sharples, SHoP Architects; Dame Sara Thornton, former Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner, U.K.; and Eloise Savill, Anti-Slavery International. The Guidance opens with a contribution by the Right Honorable The Baroness Young of Hornsey OBE. Through this Guidance & Toolkit, which provides new human rights due diligence tools, we can all design and build a more humane future together. Download it now: https://lnkd.in/gNNKd47y

Spread happiness and cheer to someone special this year and gift a #GraceFarms membership! A Grace Farms membership is a wonderful present for anyone who loves the arts, nature, architecture, and photography. Plus! All throughout our Season of Light, enjoy 10% off individual and family memberships. Grace Farms members come with so many wonderful benefits, including the opportunity attend member-only experiences, enjoy discounts on retail and dining, a 20% discount on compelling paid programs, and so much more. It's the gift that keeps on giving all year-round. Check off your list with a Grace Farms membership today and find more information: https://lnkd.in/eYAQ6xUn

Join us for an amazing evening as we launch our Humanity in Architecture Film Festival with ADFF on Friday, January 24th at 6:30pm! Don't miss the opening night premiere of "Strange & Familiar: Architecture on Fogo Island," the critically acclaimed, award-winning documentary film, directed by Marcia Connolly and Katherine Knight that takes viewers on a compelling journey to the beautiful and rural Fogo Island, off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada. As the world continues to evolve and urbanization takes hold, what does the path look like for places like Fogo Island? In the face of its struggling cod fishing industry and ability to preserve all that makes it such a rare and special community to inhabit, the film explores what happens when architect Todd Saunders and visionary entrepreneur Zita Cobb (CEO and Founder, Shorefast) come together, determined to write Fogo Island's next chapter and change its course. Through stunning, one-of-a-kind architecture, they bring a renewed sense of hope to the island, affecting meaningful social change as a result. After the film, hear directly from Cobb as she joins Grace Farms CEO and Founder, Sharon Prince, for an unforgettable conversation that will also include Kyle Bergman, Festival Director & Founder of Architecture & Design Film Festival, and Toshihiro Oki, Grace Farms Architecture Advisor. A "cinematic journey that captures how it is infinitely possible to honor a community's history while adapting to the inevitable evolution of life and circumstance and nature," writes the Independent Critic. Get tickets for this incredible night: https://lnkd.in/eUVfNBv7