The Soil Factory was founded in Ithaca, NY, in mid-2021 to serve as an experimental space to develop innovative ways of bringing a diverse group of people together to tackle the most pressing issues of our time. The Soil Factory explores art-science approaches together with the local community, policy makers, the academic community, and anyone in the Ithaca region and globally who are interested in building an unusual platform of creative engagement. The Soil Factory is organized by WeaveCommunity, an Ithaca-based community organization.
The Soil Factory
The Soil Factory Warehouse is a gathering spot
for investigating and sharing conversation and ideas
between artists, scientists, and the community. It consists
of a large warehouse and 3 acres of experimental gardens and land nestled amidst cornfields.
Staging for the sound, light and tactile exhibit,
Tending Ostreidae: Serenades for Settling Oysters (Version 1)
just prior to its debut at Governors Island. The work is an artistic and animated exploration of the oyster’s reproductive plight
in NYC harbors. Created by Stephanie Rothenberg,
Silvia Ruzanka and Suzanne Thorpe.
Experimenting with alternative photography. The Soil Factory
has built a state of the art alternative darkroom dedicated to the
hand crafted visual image; open to the community for exploration and experimentation.
The Soil Factory holds monthly community potluck meals where artists, scientists, farmers, and members of the community can sit and share ideas and conversation. All events at The Soil Factory are offered at no charge and open to all.
“We strive to support institutions that share our artist-centered values. The small grassroots arts organizations as well as the museums that comprise our grantees provide invaluable opportunities for artists to express their unique perspectives on the pressing urgencies of the day. We hope that our grants help to amplify artists’ voices within their communities, in national discussions and debates, and across platforms in the international contemporary art world.”
Joel Wachs, President