Grace Farms

Exhibit: Tears of Gold by Hannah Rose Thomas
2024-01-14 | Grace Farms, CT
View a temporary exhibition of artworks by author, artist, and human rights activist Hannah Rose Thomas featured in the new book Tears of Gold.
Tears of Gold, the exhibition and book of the same name, features portraits of Yazidi, Rohingya, and Nigerian women who have suffered violence in areas of conflict. The book tells the women’s stories alongside their portraits, providing a testimony to their humanity and resilience in the face of adversity.

“One of Hannah’s aims is to capture not only the courage and stoicism of the women who have suffered so much, but also the nobility, dignity, and extraordinary compassion that many of them manage to retain, despite their traumatic experiences. I very much hope that this beautiful book, Tears of Gold, will help enable the Yazidi, Rohingya, and Nigerian women’s voices to be heard, as well as to highlight the issue of the persecution of religious and ethnic minorities in general. All too often, their stories of suffering remain unseen and unheard – but Hannah Thomas is doing tremendous work in bringing their stories out into the open. May her powerful paintings spread the word and, God willing, have a positive impact in relieving the suffering of some of the most vulnerable and marginalised communities around the world.”
HRH Prince Charles (prior to his accession as HM King Charles III)

This exhibit will coincide with A Conversation with Hannah Rose Thomas, with Prince Zeid Ra’ad Al-Hussein, president and CEO of the International Peace Institute and former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on Thursday, January 25.

Tears of Gold will be available for purchase in the Library for the duration of the exhibition. Proceeds will support the survivors and their families.
“…using a different color palette for each group…she captures her subjects’ particularities, as well as the sometimes-haunted, sometimes-resolute gaze they share—which often seems to stare straight through the viewer.”
Publishers Weekly

Admission to the exhibition is included with your free daily registration.

Exhibit: Tears of Gold by Hannah Rose Thomas
2024-01-16, 2024-01-17, 2024-01-18, 2024-01-19, 2024-01-20, 2024-01-21, 2024-01-23, 2024-01-24 and 3 more dates
View a temporary exhibition of artworks by author, artist, and human rights activist Hannah Rose Thomas featured in the new book Tears of Gold.
Tears of Gold, the exhibition and book of the same name, features portraits of Yazidi, Rohingya, and Nigerian women who have suffered violence in areas of conflict. The book tells the women’s stories alongside their portraits, providing a testimony to their humanity and resilience in the face of adversity.
This exhibit will coincide with A Conversation with Hannah Rose Thomas, with Prince Zeid Ra’ad Al-Hussein, president and CEO of the International Peace Institute (IPI) and former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on Thursday, January 25.

Hannah Rose Thomas’s work has been exhibited at the UK Houses of Parliament, European Parliament, Lambeth Palace, and Westminster Abbey. Three of Thomas’s paintings were chosen by HM King Charles III for an exhibition in Buckingham Palace. Thomas is currently a PhD UNESCO Art Lab for Human Rights and Dialogue scholar at the University of Glasgow.
Tears of Gold will be available for purchase in our Library for the duration of the exhibit. Proceeds will support the survivors and their families.
Admission is included with your free daily registration.

Open Arts Studio
2024-01-18 13:00 - 17:00, 2024-01-20 10:00 - 14:00, 2024-01-25 13:00 - 17:00, 2024-01-27 10:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York)
Building Texture
Inspired by Olafur Eliasson’s Mat(s) for multidimensional prayers
Drop in for a facilitated series designed by artists, curators, and educators that invites families to think, play, create, and experiment with sensory-rich materials and different modes of artmaking. This season, participants are invited to discover the River with a series of programs taking inspiration from the architecture and landscape at Grace Farms.
January features a special curriculum inviting families to create a wooly weaving using materials from nearby and far away and discover how textures look and feel when combined.
For ages 4 and older with adult caregivers

Chef's Palate | Crafting Tea-Based Drinks
2024-01-18 18:00 - 19:00
Expand your knowledge of the culinary arts and learn how to mix your own delicious tea-based drinks with Pastry Chef and Educator Leah Jones and the Grace Farms Foods team!
Experiment with ethically sourced herbal teas from Certified B Corp Grace Farms Foods while learning how to craft custom-made mocktails that can support any wellness journey with every sip.

Afternoon Tea
2024-01-19 15:00 - 16:30
You’re invited to our traditional English Afternoon Tea service!
Gather with your friends, neighbors, and fellow community members for an afternoon of conversation over a delicious pot of ethically- and sustainably-sourced tea from Grace Farms Tea & Coffee, a public benefit LLC and a Certified B Corp. Our lite fare menu includes a seasonal assortment of tasty English and Japanese-inspired bites created by the Grace Farms Culinary Team.

Grace Farms Tour
2024-01-20 10:30 - 12:00, 2024-01-27 10:30 - 12:00
This comprehensive guided tour invites a closer look at the architectural elements of the River building and Barns. Take in 360-degree views of the ever-present nature preserve while exploring aspects of the building, including its sustainable design, curated interiors, and materials choices. During the tour, sample a cup of tea from Grace Farms Tea & Coffee, a Certified B Corp committed to demonstrating and educating about ethical and sustainable supply chains.
The double LEED-certified River building was designed by Pritzker Prize-winning firm, SANAA. SANAA and Grace Farms were awarded the prestigious 2014/2015 Mies Crown Hall Americas Prize (MCHAP). Grace Farms was also honored with the AIA National 2017 Architecture Honor Award and AIA Connecticut 2016 Design Honor Award.
Approved for AIA CES 1.5 LU

Gardening Workshop | Starting from Seed
2024-01-20 11:00 - 12:00
Starting your garden from seeds? Learn everything you need to know from Master Gardener Lauren Elliott. During this hands-on workshop, you’ll discover best practices for indoor seed sowing, how to select the right seed, the differences between types of seeds, and so much more.
This workshop is part of a monthly gardening series.

Grace Farms Family Tour
2024-01-21 15:00 - 16:00
This interactive tour invites families to explore the River building as it twists and turns through Grace Farms’ natural landscape. Build models, play with some of the materials used to create our homes and community spaces, and discover how a building’s design can reduce its impact on the environment.

For ages 5 and up with adult caregivers.

A Conversation with Hannah Rose Thomas
2024-01-25 19:00 - 20:00
Join us in the Library for a conversation between author, artist, and human rights activist Hannah Rose Thomas and President and CEO of the International Peace Institute and former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Prince Zeid Ra’ad Al-Hussein.
This program introduces Thomas’ new book and coincides with the temporary art exhibition, Tears of Gold — both of which feature portraits of Yazidi, Rohingya, and Nigerian women who have suffered violence in areas of conflict.

“One of Hannah’s aims is to capture not only the courage and stoicism of the women who have suffered so much, but also the nobility, dignity, and extraordinary compassion that many of them manage to retain, despite their traumatic experiences. I very much hope that this beautiful book, Tears of Gold, will help enable the Yazidi, Rohingya, and Nigerian women’s voices to be heard, as well as to highlight the issue of the persecution of religious and ethnic minorities in general. All too often, their stories of suffering remain unseen and unheard – but Hannah Thomas is doing tremendous work in bringing their stories out into the open. May her powerful paintings spread the word and, God willing, have a positive impact in relieving the suffering of some of the most vulnerable and marginalised communities around the world.”
HRH Prince Charles (prior to his accession as HM King Charles III)

“…using a different color palette for each group…she captures her subjects’ particularities, as well as the sometimes-haunted, sometimes-resolute gaze they share—which often seems to stare straight through the viewer.”
Publishers Weekly

The exhibition can be viewed in the Library from January 11th to January 27th.

Masterclass with Jazz Musician James Carter
2024-01-27 10:30 - 11:30
Bring your instruments and join renowned jazz musician James Carter for an interactive Masterclass for saxophone and woodwind players. Widely recognized for his versatility and ability to play jazz in any style, Carter has been an influential part of the New York jazz scene for more than 20 years.
Drawing inspiration from our Voices of Culture concert series, Grace Farms Music Director, Marcus G. Miller, has curated a Spotify playlist to set the perfect tone for your year ahead!
Go to Spotify Playlist

Member Reception | Voices of Culture featuring James Carter
2024-01-27 18:00 - 19:30
The Voices of Culture concert series kicks off the new year with a performance by virtuoso woodwind and saxophone extraordinaire, James Carter. Our Members are invited to join us for a reception before the concert. Please be sure to log in to access registration for the Member Reception.
A dynamic saxophonist, Carter’s music beautifully blends high-velocity solos and soft, warm melodies, weaving together divergent impulses. His impressive recording catalogue includes such albums as Chasing the Gypsy, an engaging lyrical session inspired by the unforgettable collaboration between Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli; Layin’ the Cut, a collection of songs melding funk and electronic sounds, inspired by the iconic guitarist, Jimi Hendrix; Gardenias for Lady Day that pays a heartfelt tribute to Billie Holiday; and recently, James Carter’s Elektrik Outlet, where he explores a new groove, shifting his sax into a keen array of electronics and pedals.

Voices of Culture | The James Carter Quartet
2024-01-27 19:30 - 21:00
Step into the Sanctuary for a jazz concert from the James Carter Quartet featuring James Carter (saxophones), Gerard Gibbs (piano), Lonnie Plaxico (bass), and Kahlil Kwame Bell (drums).
James Carter’s lifetime of inventive work, reflective of the way he’s mastered a multitude of styles and cultivated an uncanny knowledge of jazz history, has consistently pushed the boundaries of what the saxophone can do.
A dynamic saxophonist, Carter’s music beautifully blends high-velocity solos and soft, warm melodies, weaving together divergent impulses. His impressive recording catalogue includes such albums as Chasing the Gypsy, an engaging lyrical session inspired by the unforgettable collaboration between Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli; Layin’ the Cut, a collection of songs melding funk and electronic sounds, inspired by the iconic guitarist, Jimi Hendrix; Gardenias for Lady Day that pays a heartfelt tribute to Billie Holiday; and recently, James Carter’s Elektrik Outlet, where he explores a new groove, shifting his sax into a keen array of electronics and pedals.
Our Members are invited to join us beforehand, from 6 to 7:30 pm, for a reception.
About Voices of Culture
Voices of Culture is an unforgettable concert and conversation series exploring beauty in different musical traditions. Held three times a year, Voices of Culture invites guests into the Sanctuary where world-renowned artists perform and discuss their work with Grace Farms Music Director Marcus G. Miller.
Drawing inspiration from this series, Marcus has curated a Spotify playlist to set the perfect tone for your year ahead!
Go to Spotify Playlist
Voices of Culture continues on Saturday, May 18 and Saturday, September 28

Journey Into the World of Tea | Introduction to the World of Tea
2024-01-31 13:00 - 14:30
This tranquil and in-depth exploration of tea offers guests a taste of different notable varietals from cultures around the world, examples of demonstrations, and more. This six-part series is led by Tea Expert and Educator, Frank Kwei.
The first installment of this series immerses guests in the world of tea through tastings of tea varieties from across the globe. As you sip, learn about the differences between white, green, oolong, black, Pu-erh, and other major tea categories.

Open Arts Studio
2024-02-01 13:00 - 17:00
Carrying Light
Inspired by Teresita Fernández’s Double Glass River
Drop in for a facilitated series designed by artists, curators, and educators that invites families to think, play, create, and experiment with sensory-rich materials and different modes of artmaking. This season, participants are invited to discover the River with a series of programs taking inspiration from the architecture and landscape at Grace Farms.
February features a special curriculum inviting families to experiment with reflections. Become a part of Teresita Fernández‘s Double Glass River by attaching mirrored vinyl to your clothing and carrying light as you move around Grace Farms.
For ages 4 and older with adult caregivers

Lighting Design Tour
2024-02-01 17:00 - 18:30
Experience the beauty of Grace Farms’ harmonious, Lumen Award-winning lighting design during a special evening tour with Gabe Guilliams of Buro Happold, the designer behind the River building’s lighting scheme and Toshihiro Oki, Grace Farms Architecture Advisor formerly of SANAA /Kazuyo Sejima + Ryue Nishizawa (Pritzker Prize 2010).
Approved for 1.5 AIA credits

Sustainable Systems Tour
2024-02-02 13:00 - 14:30
Follow our facility experts for a rare glimpse of the 55 geothermal wells and other systems integral to keeping the River building – one of the only buildings in Connecticut with a double LEED certification – efficient, comfortable, and sustainable.
