The Indigo Garden project
Donation protected
About The Indigo Garden Project
The Indigo Garden is a creative green safe space for the community serving the city of East Saint Louis IL. People of the community and metro east area will be able to come learn the wonders of natural and chemical dyes specifically indigo dying. The Indigo Garden will also serve as a community garden bringing fresh and natural produce to the community as well as allowing the community to come and learn about the benefits of growing their own food and harvest.
Who I Am
My name is Eugenia Alexander and I am a professional multi-medium artist and have been practicing for over 12 years living and working in the metro east area of IL/MO. I have been practicing textiles for 5 years working specifically with indigo dye. I have worked and shown with numerous institutions and publications such as Saint Louis Art Museum, Regional Arts Commission, Alive Magazine, NPR STL and many others. On the green side I have been taking care of green friends for over 10 years with this year being my first growing produce which has been a success.
The Importance of this Project
This project is personal for me because I will be servicing a community that has helped shape me as an artist and educator as well as my family ties to this community. Growing up, as a family we would spend vacation time driving down to my grandparents and great grandmothers in east saint louis IL. My grandfather being a collector of African artifacts and my grandmother being an artist we were surrounded by art not even being conscious of the culture we were in-taking as kids, we were simply just at grandma's house. At the age of 12 I started to accompany my grandmother on her workshops and classes as her assistant and taught my first class at Sister Thea Bowman Catholic school there in east saint louis, officially becoming an arts educator. It was at my great grandmothers ( Grandma Honey) where I saw my first garden. Both my art journey and green journey started in East Saint Louis. My family ties are with this city. My mother is from East Saint Louis. My Grandmother was born and raised there and still lives there. My Grandfather was born and raised there and is still living in the city of East Saint Louis. My great grandmother was raised there and lived there until she transcended. My Great Great Grandmother Eugenia moved from Mississippi and set roots in the city of East Saint Louis. If you are unfamiliar with the city of East Saint Louis IL, at one point in history the city was a thriving point for railroad work and factories. The city was also predominantly white with black residents who were making a living and name for themselves with owning their own businesses. When the race riot broke out black people were killed, businesses and homes burned to the ground forcing people to flee the city, and leaving at least 6,000 homeless and $400,000 in property damages which today translate to over $7 million. Although this was only 100 years ago the city is still recovering from this horrific incident happening. With all of this being said it's only right that I use my knowledge and talents to be a vessel and of service for the community that has shaped and taught me and bring them something beautiful and resourceful.
Start Up Funding
I already have a plot of land in mind that is perfect for The Indigo Garden its just a matter of getting the money to secure/buy. The property has a lot size of about 4,000SQ ft so lots and lots of space for gardening and creating. The property also has a workshop space that served as a church and donut shop which is perfect space for teaching and creating. I have spoken with the owner as well as seen the space in person. Below is a breakdown of what I will be using the $40,000 for.
Property - $24,000
Warehouse fixes - $10,000
Garden Supplies (includes greenhouse for germinating seeds and starting plants for the season as well as other tools and etc.) - $4,000
Dye equipment and supplies - $2,000
- Getting the funds to secure the property as soon as possible is my main focus because i really feel that this space is the perfect space and i really don't want to miss out or loose it! All donations big or small are very much appreciated.
The Indigo Garden is a creative green safe space for the community serving the city of East Saint Louis IL. People of the community and metro east area will be able to come learn the wonders of natural and chemical dyes specifically indigo dying. The Indigo Garden will also serve as a community garden bringing fresh and natural produce to the community as well as allowing the community to come and learn about the benefits of growing their own food and harvest.
Who I Am
My name is Eugenia Alexander and I am a professional multi-medium artist and have been practicing for over 12 years living and working in the metro east area of IL/MO. I have been practicing textiles for 5 years working specifically with indigo dye. I have worked and shown with numerous institutions and publications such as Saint Louis Art Museum, Regional Arts Commission, Alive Magazine, NPR STL and many others. On the green side I have been taking care of green friends for over 10 years with this year being my first growing produce which has been a success.
The Importance of this Project
This project is personal for me because I will be servicing a community that has helped shape me as an artist and educator as well as my family ties to this community. Growing up, as a family we would spend vacation time driving down to my grandparents and great grandmothers in east saint louis IL. My grandfather being a collector of African artifacts and my grandmother being an artist we were surrounded by art not even being conscious of the culture we were in-taking as kids, we were simply just at grandma's house. At the age of 12 I started to accompany my grandmother on her workshops and classes as her assistant and taught my first class at Sister Thea Bowman Catholic school there in east saint louis, officially becoming an arts educator. It was at my great grandmothers ( Grandma Honey) where I saw my first garden. Both my art journey and green journey started in East Saint Louis. My family ties are with this city. My mother is from East Saint Louis. My Grandmother was born and raised there and still lives there. My Grandfather was born and raised there and is still living in the city of East Saint Louis. My great grandmother was raised there and lived there until she transcended. My Great Great Grandmother Eugenia moved from Mississippi and set roots in the city of East Saint Louis. If you are unfamiliar with the city of East Saint Louis IL, at one point in history the city was a thriving point for railroad work and factories. The city was also predominantly white with black residents who were making a living and name for themselves with owning their own businesses. When the race riot broke out black people were killed, businesses and homes burned to the ground forcing people to flee the city, and leaving at least 6,000 homeless and $400,000 in property damages which today translate to over $7 million. Although this was only 100 years ago the city is still recovering from this horrific incident happening. With all of this being said it's only right that I use my knowledge and talents to be a vessel and of service for the community that has shaped and taught me and bring them something beautiful and resourceful.
Start Up Funding
I already have a plot of land in mind that is perfect for The Indigo Garden its just a matter of getting the money to secure/buy. The property has a lot size of about 4,000SQ ft so lots and lots of space for gardening and creating. The property also has a workshop space that served as a church and donut shop which is perfect space for teaching and creating. I have spoken with the owner as well as seen the space in person. Below is a breakdown of what I will be using the $40,000 for.
Property - $24,000
Warehouse fixes - $10,000
Garden Supplies (includes greenhouse for germinating seeds and starting plants for the season as well as other tools and etc.) - $4,000
Dye equipment and supplies - $2,000
- Getting the funds to secure the property as soon as possible is my main focus because i really feel that this space is the perfect space and i really don't want to miss out or loose it! All donations big or small are very much appreciated.
Organizer
Eugenia Alexander
Organizer
Glen Carbon, IL