Arts

Our permanent artworks, thoughtfully curated by Yuko Hasegawa, embody the seamless integration of nature, arts, justice, community, and faith. Each piece is thoughtfully placed to inspire reflection, spark meaningful dialogue, and foster deep connections. Together, they invite visitors to engage with art not merely as observers, but as active participants — encouraging a profound interaction with the world around them and with one another.

Exhibits at Grace Farms offer a contemplative lens into the values that shape this cultural and humanitarian center. Rooted in design, ethics, and nature, these multidisciplinary installations invite visitors to reflect on our shared responsibilities — how the spaces we inhabit, the materials we use, and the stories we tell can contribute to a more just, peaceful, and sustainable world. Set within the River building and Barns, the exhibits create meaningful moments of pause, discovery, and connection.

Grace Farms’ concert series invites audiences to experience the unamplified sound of acoustic instruments and voice—music in its most elemental form. Set against sweeping daytime views of nature through our glass-enclosed Sanctuary, each performance offers moments of resonance, inviting artists to respond to the vision and mission of Grace Farms while showcasing the artistry of their craft.

Experience the joy of seasonal music through informal, improvisational performances by local artists, offered in exceptional spaces at Grace Farms. From our festive Songs of the Season to the light-filled melodies pf Songs of the Summer, these daytime performances invite all ages to gather and enjoy music in a welcoming, family-friendly setting.

The Grace Farms Rest House Project aims to provide tea and coffee farmers worldwide with ethically designed, sustainably built rest houses that offer safety, respite, and community spaces. By leveraging open-source design principles, this initiative seeks to create globally adaptable solutions that uphold and demonstrate Design for Freedom principles.

The Humanity in Architecture Film Festival at Grace Farms explores the transformative power of architecture and design to serve humanity and the planet. Through a curated selection of films and site-specific experiences, the festival celebrates the moment when vision becomes action — when ideas take form to improve the human experience. Set within the River building and surrounding landscape, the festival invites thoughtful reflection through food, music, nature walks, yoga, and collaborative design activities.

Arlen will be collaborating with Grace Farms to explore the magnificent natural sound of the Sanctuary, an indoor amphitheater which serves as a concert hall for 700-people, with 360-degree views of nature in all seasons. The Sanctuary was designed as a place of reciprocity and connection, and Arlen has created several programs that build connection to Grace Farms’ mission, to the canon of classical music, and to nature.

“I can’t explain the power of playing on stage, listening and reacting and trying to weave together the story you want for the music, and then looking up and watching birds, and wind flowing through the trees, and the sunlight magically moving through the land, and letting that beauty seep into your process of creation. It feels miraculous,” said Arlen.

In addition to a solo recital, engagements with the community, and performances at the 10^th anniversary, Arlen is developing a new series with Grace Farms, called Grace Farms Lectures, which blends visionary lectures with 60-minutes of classical music that enhances the messages from the lecture. Arlen and Grace Farms will announce the musicians and music program on July 1.

Hear Arlen Hlusko perform:
October 11 | Arlen will join Grace Farms to celebrate the beginning of the 10th season. She will play with a group of musicians from 10:30-11:30, and a short solo performance in the afternoon. Tickets here.
January 10 | Sharon Prince Delivers Grace Farms Lecture + 60-minutes of music. Tickets here.
February 7 | Miroslav Volf Delivers Grace Farms Lecture + 60-minutes of music. Tickets here.
February 21 | Solo Recital. Tickets here.
March 7 | Robin Wall Kimmerer Delivers Grace Farms Lecture + 60-minutes of music. Tickets here.

Learn with Arlen Hlusko:
Feb 20 | Arlen will engage with young musicians as part of Grace Farms’ Passport Week

James is making large-format images of Grace Farms throughout the seasons, creating an immersive experience of the beauty of the diverse seasons with photography to share with Grace Farms Foundation and the public. James has been photographing Grace Farms since 2018, and became Artist-in-Residence in March 2024, and has generously created opportunities for the visitors and staff to learn from his process of making photographs, including the making of a Studio at Grace Farms in January 2025, for the public to touch and see hundreds of images, negatives, and artist notes.

While James has been building a body of work at Grace Farms, he also has traveled to Haida Gwaii, land of the Haida people, in Canada, to make a new work for Grace Farms that will be unveiled on October 11, 2025. “Time moves differently among the ancient trees,” said James.

Canadian cellist Arlen Hlusko is an internationally acclaimed artist celebrated for her expressive depth and fearless virtuosity. As cellist of the Bang on a Can All-Stars and a versatile collaborator with ensembles like The Knights and Dolce Suono, she brings dynamic energy to a wide range of music.

James Florio is a photographer focused on the built environment and the life surrounding it. He works slowly whenever possible, visiting a place repeatedly to gain a greater understanding of it and to deliver a thoughtful and profound interpretation.