Year: 2015

Innisfree’s first house “Meadow” came down with a crash this week. With its newer, shinier version looking on next door, the contrast was striking as roofing caved in and once sturdy walls became mere rubble in the dumpster. Yes, the house was old and it was time to say goodbye. Yes, Meadow V. 2 is amazing and we are so thankful for those who made the move happen whether through hauling boxes or providing funding. However, many people throughout the years have passed through Meadow’s doorways and stairwells. Many people have called Meadow home and will continue to do so, though memories will be made in different doorways and different stairwells. Here are some memories we’ve collected from previous and current community members- Meadow has been such a special place and we’re looking forward to the years and memories yet to come!

The mother of a coworker…

“When Elizabeth first came to Meadow, 8 years ago, her first bedroom was the “tiny” room across from the laundry room. Already knowing her collecting instincts, the community put in shelves so that she could have some of her collection displayed in her new room. Such is the consideration of this remarkable community. When she moved into “Ivy” room when Kimmie vacated it for Robert’s room in the corner when he moved to Amity, again, Elizabeth’s display space for her growing collection increased with the help of the community to provide shelves. Worn, yes, “Old Meadow” was worn but like comfy slippers that you can’t quite part with. And, every time I looked out the kitchen window I could not believe how stunningly beautiful the view is/was. Not sad but wistful…”

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The Innisfree Fitness program, led by Jeanmarie Badar, aims to provide opportunities for fitness-related activities to the Innisfree community. Currently, about 25 coworkers participate in the program at some level. Specifically, the program includes:

• The Fitness Workstation: Small groups of coworkers participate in fitness activities during the regular work day. Each coworker follows an individually designed cardio/strength workout plan with help from Jeanmarie and the fitness volunteers. Heart rate monitors help measure exertion levels, and workout records allow progress to be documented.
• Community Classes: Open to the entire Innisfree community, this 45-minute class uses dance to improve cardiovascular function, coordination, focus, and balance. The class meets weekly for 6-week sessions and is currently on “break” for the summer.
• Individual Sessions: some coworkers who need a more structured, one-on-one exercise program work with Jeanmarie outside of workstation hours.
• Volunteer/Staff Classes: Jeanmarie leads a small group once a week in an intense one-hour workout using a variety of fitness modalities including weight lifting, dance, suspension straps, and circuit training.

Click here to learn about Innisfree’s Four Components of Fitness!

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We did it! We raised our entire fundraising goal and more- THANK YOU for all that participated. We are forever grateful for your generosity and kindness. We’re looking forward to making our art look professional and gallery-ready and and can’t wait to share with you the final results! Over the next few months we’ll be getting our pieces ready for an upcoming show- please check back!   Thank you to Suzanne for snapping some shots of the workshop at The Bridge Progressive Arts Initiative this past Saturday. Friendly faces old and new came to participate in this collaborative quilt and we can’t wait to see the finished product hanging around town. It was so serendipitous that there was already a quilt show hanging in the space when we arrived- a collaboration between the Culpepper Juvenile Correctional Center and Roy Mitchell Jr., an African American educator with a passion for quilting- read more here . It made for such a cozy setting and great acoustics for blasting tunes from the local radio station. Thanks to all that came out to participate!

Although Innisfree is a great support system in and of itself, I’m looking forward to creating partnerships with other local groups to further foster creative spaces such as the one this past weekend. I’m so grateful to The Bridge for opening up their space to us and would love to collaborate with more groups around town. Be on the lookout for this bright, geometric quilt and come participate should you see more Innisfree hosted events! On the horizon- new fabric patterns (including yet another collaborative quilt project!), a peak at the custom art pieces for our fundraising awards and our new solution for using fabric scraps.

Hey friends! Just wanted to update  you with a few upcoming events where you can get involved in some of Innisfree’s creative outlets.

1. This Friday, May 22, is the last day of our Indiegogo campaign to raise funds for framing all the beautiful pieces that come out of the Innisfree art class. Raising money to frame our pieces means that we can participate in more art shows, display our art on the walls instead of stored in closets, and work on bridging the gap between what is considered fine art and what is considered “outsider” art.  https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/innisfree-village-art-gallery#/story

2. This Saturday, May 23 we will be hosting a workshop at The Bridge Progressive Arts Initiative from 1-3 PM.Here’s the link to the flyer: innisfreeatthebrdige. It’s free, though there is a suggested donation, and we’ll be working together to make a collaborative quilt. See below pictures of the finished mandala quilt from the workshop between Innisfree artists and the Alzheimer’s Association Arts Fusion program. The idea behind this project is to create something together no matter age or ability. Hopefully the quilt created in this workshop will hang in various public spaces throughout Charlottesville to remind us of the incredible power of coming together. This is the finished quilt from this post!

1. On September 12 (yes, a ways away but we’re already looking forward to it!) the Innisfree Artists will have their very own booth of goods at Fleaville, an outdoor market at the IX park in Charlottesville. Come out and see some of our latest works! 4. And finally, in October (even farther away but we’ll be updating on the lead-up) we’ll be having our very own gallery opening at the Presbyterian church in Crozet, VA. It may even be fun to incorporate a hands-on project into the opening, we’ll see!