Join us for an evening of holiday artistry and merry making in support of Backyard Growers. Expertly guided by designer Rochelle Grenier of Sought Interiors, you will learn the artful layers of holiday tablescapes while creating a bespoke centerpiece for your own holiday table. 

Accompanying the workshop will be a curated natural wine offering from Helen’s Bottle Shop and bites from the Cave. 

This is an opportunity to ignite your creativity this holiday season, and all for a good cause! Discover how to seamlessly blend timeless charm, organic beauty and contemporary sophistication on your holiday (and everyday) table.  Rochelle will cover other essentials like selecting natural elements, incorporating textures, playing with color palettes and combining vintage heirlooms with modern accents.

Ticket sales from this beautiful evening support Backyard Growers' work in our community connecting people with everything they need to grow their own food. 

Purchase tickets for: 

Wednesday, December 11, 2024 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Or

Thursday, December 12, 2024 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

We look forward to celebrating the season with you-
Backyard Growers & Sought  

Join us for an evening of holiday artistry and merry making in support of Backyard Growers. Expertly guided by designer Rochelle Grenier of Sought Interiors, you will learn the artful layers of holiday tablescapes while creating a bespoke centerpiece for your own holiday table. 

Accompanying the workshop will be a curated natural wine offering from Helen’s Bottle Shop and bites from the Cave. 

This is an opportunity to ignite your creativity this holiday season, and all for a good cause! Discover how to seamlessly blend timeless charm, organic beauty and contemporary sophistication on your holiday (and everyday) table.  Rochelle will cover other essentials like selecting natural elements, incorporating textures, playing with color palettes and combining vintage heirlooms with modern accents.

Ticket sales from this beautiful evening support Backyard Growers' work in our community connecting people with everything they need to grow their own food. 

Purchase tickets for: 

Wednesday, December 11, 2024 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Or

Thursday, December 12, 2024 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

We look forward to celebrating the season with you-
Backyard Growers & Sought  

Stop by Gloucester’s new weekly farmers market, the Backyard Growcery, managed by Backyard Growers. The Backyard Growcery is located at Burnham’s Field, an urban park near Gloucester’s thriving waterfront, and features small-scale North Shore farmers, bakers, a seafood vendor, an artisanal pizza maker, and more, throughout the season.

The Backyard Growcery accepts SNAP and Senior Coupons. Burnham’s Field is accessible via CATA bus. It is located near the Sheedy Park stop on the Gloucester Crossing & Business Express Loop.

Stay tuned for a calendar of free food-growing, gardening, and art workshops taking place at the Growcery that are designed to bring our community together. The Backyard Growcery also features a Community Resources area where visitors can access essential services and learn more about innovative nonprofit organizations making an impact on Cape Ann.

Questions? Contact us at 978-281-0480 or thegrowcery@backyardgrowers.org.  Follow the Backyard Growcery on Instagram and Facebook.

We are excited to welcome artist Maia Mattson to the Backyard Growcery for Seed Stories: 14 weeks of free, all ages eco-art programming offered at the Backyard Growcery from July 10th to the end of the 2024 market season. From a place of curiosity and play, we invite participants of all ages and ability to explore various methods of nature-based art making. Using eco materials sourced directly from our market vendors and local businesses, we will be making naturally dyed plant paper embedded with native seeds so that the art will grow when planted.

For the first eight weeks, we will be making plant paper! Every workshop is designed with maximum accessibility in mind so that participants of all ages, abilities, and interest can join in the process. Participants will have hands-on opportunities to make paper pulp, strain the pulp into molds,  and press seeds and flowers into their paper to create unique designs. Each week we will focus on a specific, naturally derived color for our paper making, so that by the end of the 8 weeks, we will have an incredible collection of colorful, plantable paper.

During week 9 and 10 we will explore natural ink making, creating colors from locally sourced plants and organic materials.

The remaining weeks will feature collage and sewing based activations where participants can create their own paper compositions. Participants can choose whether they would like to keep their seed paper compositions, or contribute their artwork to a large-scale community composition that will be sewn together by the end of the Backyard Growcery season.

This FREE community programming is made possible through the generous support of the  Essex County Community Foundation, CreativeCounty, and Awesome Gloucester.

Stop by our demonstration garden beds at the Backyard Growcery to pitch in planting garlic for next season. We’ll be showing you how to plant for success, with free heads of seed garlic available for you to try in your own garden.

This is a drop-in event at the Backyard Growcery - come see us when you visit the farmers market for your groceries.

We are excited to welcome artist Maia Mattson to the Backyard Growcery for Seed Stories: 14 weeks of free, all ages eco-art programming offered at the Backyard Growcery from July 10th to the end of the 2024 market season. From a place of curiosity and play, we invite participants of all ages and ability to explore various methods of nature-based art making. Using eco materials sourced directly from our market vendors and local businesses, we will be making naturally dyed plant paper embedded with native seeds so that the art will grow when planted.

For the first eight weeks, we will be making plant paper! Every workshop is designed with maximum accessibility in mind so that participants of all ages, abilities, and interest can join in the process. Participants will have hands-on opportunities to make paper pulp, strain the pulp into molds,  and press seeds and flowers into their paper to create unique designs. Each week we will focus on a specific, naturally derived color for our paper making, so that by the end of the 8 weeks, we will have an incredible collection of colorful, plantable paper.

During week 9 and 10 we will explore natural ink making, creating colors from locally sourced plants and organic materials.

The remaining weeks will feature collage and sewing based activations where participants can create their own paper compositions. Participants can choose whether they would like to keep their seed paper compositions, or contribute their artwork to a large-scale community composition that will be sewn together by the end of the Backyard Growcery season.

This FREE community programming is made possible through the generous support of the  Essex County Community Foundation, CreativeCounty, and Awesome Gloucester.

Stop by Gloucester’s new weekly farmers market, the Backyard Growcery, managed by Backyard Growers. The Backyard Growcery is located at Burnham’s Field, an urban park near Gloucester’s thriving waterfront, and features small-scale North Shore farmers, bakers, a seafood vendor, an artisanal pizza maker, and more, throughout the season.

The Backyard Growcery accepts SNAP and Senior Coupons. Burnham’s Field is accessible via CATA bus. It is located near the Sheedy Park stop on the Gloucester Crossing & Business Express Loop.

Stay tuned for a calendar of free food-growing, gardening, and art workshops taking place at the Growcery that are designed to bring our community together. The Backyard Growcery also features a Community Resources area where visitors can access essential services and learn more about innovative nonprofit organizations making an impact on Cape Ann.

Questions? Contact us at 978-281-0480 or thegrowcery@backyardgrowers.org.  Follow the Backyard Growcery on Instagram and Facebook.

Learn how to extend the growing season in your garden this season. We’ll be demonstrating how to set up a garden bed to keep the harvest coming into the colder months, with a supply list available to attendees. This workshop is free and drop-in — stop by when you pick up your groceries at the market and ask all your season extension questions.

Questions? Call 978-281-0480 or email us at community@backyardgrowers.org.

Stop by Gloucester’s new weekly farmers market, the Backyard Growcery, managed by Backyard Growers. The Backyard Growcery is located at Burnham’s Field, an urban park near Gloucester’s thriving waterfront, and features small-scale North Shore farmers, bakers, a seafood vendor, an artisanal pizza maker, and more, throughout the season.

The Backyard Growcery accepts SNAP and Senior Coupons. Burnham’s Field is accessible via CATA bus. It is located near the Sheedy Park stop on the Gloucester Crossing & Business Express Loop.

Stay tuned for a calendar of free food-growing, gardening, and art workshops taking place at the Growcery that are designed to bring our community together. The Backyard Growcery also features a Community Resources area where visitors can access essential services and learn more about innovative nonprofit organizations making an impact on Cape Ann.

Questions? Contact us at 978-281-0480 or thegrowcery@backyardgrowers.org.  Follow the Backyard Growcery on Instagram and Facebook.

We are excited to welcome artist Maia Mattson to the Backyard Growcery for Seed Stories: 14 weeks of free, all ages eco-art programming offered at the Backyard Growcery from July 10th to the end of the 2024 market season. From a place of curiosity and play, we invite participants of all ages and ability to explore various methods of nature-based art making. Using eco materials sourced directly from our market vendors and local businesses, we will be making naturally dyed plant paper embedded with native seeds so that the art will grow when planted.

For the first eight weeks, we will be making plant paper! Every workshop is designed with maximum accessibility in mind so that participants of all ages, abilities, and interest can join in the process. Participants will have hands-on opportunities to make paper pulp, strain the pulp into molds,  and press seeds and flowers into their paper to create unique designs. Each week we will focus on a specific, naturally derived color for our paper making, so that by the end of the 8 weeks, we will have an incredible collection of colorful, plantable paper.

During week 9 and 10 we will explore natural ink making, creating colors from locally sourced plants and organic materials.

The remaining weeks will feature collage and sewing based activations where participants can create their own paper compositions. Participants can choose whether they would like to keep their seed paper compositions, or contribute their artwork to a large-scale community composition that will be sewn together by the end of the Backyard Growcery season.

This FREE community programming is made possible through the generous support of the  Essex County Community Foundation, CreativeCounty, and Awesome Gloucester.

Stop by Gloucester’s new weekly farmers market, the Backyard Growcery, managed by Backyard Growers. The Backyard Growcery is located at Burnham’s Field, an urban park near Gloucester’s thriving waterfront, and features small-scale North Shore farmers, bakers, a seafood vendor, an artisanal pizza maker, and more, throughout the season.

The Backyard Growcery accepts SNAP and Senior Coupons. Burnham’s Field is accessible via CATA bus. It is located near the Sheedy Park stop on the Gloucester Crossing & Business Express Loop.

Stay tuned for a calendar of free food-growing, gardening, and art workshops taking place at the Growcery that are designed to bring our community together. The Backyard Growcery also features a Community Resources area where visitors can access essential services and learn more about innovative nonprofit organizations making an impact on Cape Ann.

Questions? Contact us at 978-281-0480 or thegrowcery@backyardgrowers.org.  Follow the Backyard Growcery on Instagram and Facebook.

We are excited to welcome artist Maia Mattson to the Backyard Growcery for Seed Stories: 14 weeks of free, all ages eco-art programming offered at the Backyard Growcery from July 10th to the end of the 2024 market season. From a place of curiosity and play, we invite participants of all ages and ability to explore various methods of nature-based art making. Using eco materials sourced directly from our market vendors and local businesses, we will be making naturally dyed plant paper embedded with native seeds so that the art will grow when planted.

For the first eight weeks, we will be making plant paper! Every workshop is designed with maximum accessibility in mind so that participants of all ages, abilities, and interest can join in the process. Participants will have hands-on opportunities to make paper pulp, strain the pulp into molds,  and press seeds and flowers into their paper to create unique designs. Each week we will focus on a specific, naturally derived color for our paper making, so that by the end of the 8 weeks, we will have an incredible collection of colorful, plantable paper.

During week 9 and 10 we will explore natural ink making, creating colors from locally sourced plants and organic materials.

The remaining weeks will feature collage and sewing based activations where participants can create their own paper compositions. Participants can choose whether they would like to keep their seed paper compositions, or contribute their artwork to a large-scale community composition that will be sewn together by the end of the Backyard Growcery season.

This FREE community programming is made possible through the generous support of the  Essex County Community Foundation, CreativeCounty, and Awesome Gloucester.

We are excited to welcome artist Maia Mattson to the Backyard Growcery for Seed Stories: 14 weeks of free, all ages eco-art programming offered at the Backyard Growcery from July 10th to the end of the 2024 market season. From a place of curiosity and play, we invite participants of all ages and ability to explore various methods of nature-based art making. Using eco materials sourced directly from our market vendors and local businesses, we will be making naturally dyed plant paper embedded with native seeds so that the art will grow when planted.

For the first eight weeks, we will be making plant paper! Every workshop is designed with maximum accessibility in mind so that participants of all ages, abilities, and interest can join in the process. Participants will have hands-on opportunities to make paper pulp, strain the pulp into molds,  and press seeds and flowers into their paper to create unique designs. Each week we will focus on a specific, naturally derived color for our paper making, so that by the end of the 8 weeks, we will have an incredible collection of colorful, plantable paper.

During week 9 and 10 we will explore natural ink making, creating colors from locally sourced plants and organic materials.

The remaining weeks will feature collage and sewing based activations where participants can create their own paper compositions. Participants can choose whether they would like to keep their seed paper compositions, or contribute their artwork to a large-scale community composition that will be sewn together by the end of the Backyard Growcery season.

This FREE community programming is made possible through the generous support of the  Essex County Community Foundation, CreativeCounty, and Awesome Gloucester.

Stop by Gloucester’s new weekly farmers market, the Backyard Growcery, managed by Backyard Growers. The Backyard Growcery is located at Burnham’s Field, an urban park near Gloucester’s thriving waterfront, and features small-scale North Shore farmers, bakers, a seafood vendor, an artisanal pizza maker, and more, throughout the season.

The Backyard Growcery accepts SNAP and Senior Coupons. Burnham’s Field is accessible via CATA bus. It is located near the Sheedy Park stop on the Gloucester Crossing & Business Express Loop.

Stay tuned for a calendar of free food-growing, gardening, and art workshops taking place at the Growcery that are designed to bring our community together. The Backyard Growcery also features a Community Resources area where visitors can access essential services and learn more about innovative nonprofit organizations making an impact on Cape Ann.

Questions? Contact us at 978-281-0480 or thegrowcery@backyardgrowers.org.  Follow the Backyard Growcery on Instagram and Facebook.

Come explore Burnham’s Field Community Garden, a downtown growing space where over fifty Gloucester households are growing their own food. Visitors can get garden inspiration, see what food our community is growing, and learn more about joining a Backyard Growers-managed community garden in Gloucester.

Tours will be managed and supervised by Backyard Growers, taking place during Gloucester’s farmers market at Burnham’s Field, the Backyard Growcery. All are welcome - the more the merrier!

Join us to celebrate another awesome growing season at the 9th annual Great Gloucester GrowDown! Hear stories of Backyard Growers’ impact, connect with others over the joy of growing food in our community, and chow down on delicious, farm-fresh food from the amazing team at Oak to Ember.

Proceeds from this annual fall fundraiser support our work connecting communities to the resources, space, and knowledge that people need to grow their own food. THANK YOU for partnering with us in this work!

Stop by Gloucester’s new weekly farmers market, the Backyard Growcery, managed by Backyard Growers. The Backyard Growcery is located at Burnham’s Field, an urban park near Gloucester’s thriving waterfront, and features small-scale North Shore farmers, bakers, a seafood vendor, an artisanal pizza maker, and more, throughout the season.

The Backyard Growcery accepts SNAP and Senior Coupons. Burnham’s Field is accessible via CATA bus. It is located near the Sheedy Park stop on the Gloucester Crossing & Business Express Loop.

Stay tuned for a calendar of free food-growing, gardening, and art workshops taking place at the Growcery that are designed to bring our community together. The Backyard Growcery also features a Community Resources area where visitors can access essential services and learn more about innovative nonprofit organizations making an impact on Cape Ann.

Questions? Contact us at 978-281-0480 or thegrowcery@backyardgrowers.org.  Follow the Backyard Growcery on Instagram and Facebook.

We are excited to welcome artist Maia Mattson to the Backyard Growcery for Seed Stories: 14 weeks of free, all ages eco-art programming offered at the Backyard Growcery from July 10th to the end of the 2024 market season. From a place of curiosity and play, we invite participants of all ages and ability to explore various methods of nature-based art making. Using eco materials sourced directly from our market vendors and local businesses, we will be making naturally dyed plant paper embedded with native seeds so that the art will grow when planted.

For the first eight weeks, we will be making plant paper! Every workshop is designed with maximum accessibility in mind so that participants of all ages, abilities, and interest can join in the process. Participants will have hands-on opportunities to make paper pulp, strain the pulp into molds,  and press seeds and flowers into their paper to create unique designs. Each week we will focus on a specific, naturally derived color for our paper making, so that by the end of the 8 weeks, we will have an incredible collection of colorful, plantable paper.

During week 9 and 10 we will explore natural ink making, creating colors from locally sourced plants and organic materials.

The remaining weeks will feature collage and sewing based activations where participants can create their own paper compositions. Participants can choose whether they would like to keep their seed paper compositions, or contribute their artwork to a large-scale community composition that will be sewn together by the end of the Backyard Growcery season.

This FREE community programming is made possible through the generous support of the  Essex County Community Foundation, CreativeCounty, and Awesome Gloucester.

Stop by Gloucester’s new weekly farmers market, the Backyard Growcery, managed by Backyard Growers. The Backyard Growcery is located at Burnham’s Field, an urban park near Gloucester’s thriving waterfront, and features small-scale North Shore farmers, bakers, a seafood vendor, an artisanal pizza maker, and more, throughout the season.

The Backyard Growcery accepts SNAP and Senior Coupons. Burnham’s Field is accessible via CATA bus. It is located near the Sheedy Park stop on the Gloucester Crossing & Business Express Loop.

Stay tuned for a calendar of free food-growing, gardening, and art workshops taking place at the Growcery that are designed to bring our community together. The Backyard Growcery also features a Community Resources area where visitors can access essential services and learn more about innovative nonprofit organizations making an impact on Cape Ann.

Questions? Contact us at 978-281-0480 or thegrowcery@backyardgrowers.org.  Follow the Backyard Growcery on Instagram and Facebook.

We are excited to welcome artist Maia Mattson to the Backyard Growcery for Seed Stories: 14 weeks of free, all ages eco-art programming offered at the Backyard Growcery from July 10th to the end of the 2024 market season. From a place of curiosity and play, we invite participants of all ages and ability to explore various methods of nature-based art making. Using eco materials sourced directly from our market vendors and local businesses, we will be making naturally dyed plant paper embedded with native seeds so that the art will grow when planted.

For the first eight weeks, we will be making plant paper! Every workshop is designed with maximum accessibility in mind so that participants of all ages, abilities, and interest can join in the process. Participants will have hands-on opportunities to make paper pulp, strain the pulp into molds,  and press seeds and flowers into their paper to create unique designs. Each week we will focus on a specific, naturally derived color for our paper making, so that by the end of the 8 weeks, we will have an incredible collection of colorful, plantable paper.

During week 9 and 10 we will explore natural ink making, creating colors from locally sourced plants and organic materials.

The remaining weeks will feature collage and sewing based activations where participants can create their own paper compositions. Participants can choose whether they would like to keep their seed paper compositions, or contribute their artwork to a large-scale community composition that will be sewn together by the end of the Backyard Growcery season.

This FREE community programming is made possible through the generous support of the  Essex County Community Foundation, CreativeCounty, and Awesome Gloucester.

Join Backyard Growers on summer Thursday mornings at 10am for Garden Story Hour! We’ll be gathering in the Sawyer Free Library’s garden at 88 Middle Street for stories, planting, watering, and harvesting.

Lunch will be provided by The Open Door.

Stop by for some fun garden time - no registration required!

Stop by Gloucester’s new weekly farmers market, the Backyard Growcery, managed by Backyard Growers. The Backyard Growcery is located at Burnham’s Field, an urban park near Gloucester’s thriving waterfront, and features small-scale North Shore farmers, bakers, a seafood vendor, an artisanal pizza maker, and more, throughout the season.

The Backyard Growcery accepts SNAP and Senior Coupons. Burnham’s Field is accessible via CATA bus. It is located near the Sheedy Park stop on the Gloucester Crossing & Business Express Loop.

Stay tuned for a calendar of free food-growing, gardening, and art workshops taking place at the Growcery that are designed to bring our community together. The Backyard Growcery also features a Community Resources area where visitors can access essential services and learn more about innovative nonprofit organizations making an impact on Cape Ann.

Questions? Contact us at 978-281-0480 or thegrowcery@backyardgrowers.org.  Follow the Backyard Growcery on Instagram and Facebook.

We are excited to welcome artist Maia Mattson to the Backyard Growcery for Seed Stories: 14 weeks of free, all ages eco-art programming offered at the Backyard Growcery from July 10th to the end of the 2024 market season. From a place of curiosity and play, we invite participants of all ages and ability to explore various methods of nature-based art making. Using eco materials sourced directly from our market vendors and local businesses, we will be making naturally dyed plant paper embedded with native seeds so that the art will grow when planted.

For the first eight weeks, we will be making plant paper! Every workshop is designed with maximum accessibility in mind so that participants of all ages, abilities, and interest can join in the process. Participants will have hands-on opportunities to make paper pulp, strain the pulp into molds,  and press seeds and flowers into their paper to create unique designs. Each week we will focus on a specific, naturally derived color for our paper making, so that by the end of the 8 weeks, we will have an incredible collection of colorful, plantable paper.

During week 9 and 10 we will explore natural ink making, creating colors from locally sourced plants and organic materials.

The remaining weeks will feature collage and sewing based activations where participants can create their own paper compositions. Participants can choose whether they would like to keep their seed paper compositions, or contribute their artwork to a large-scale community composition that will be sewn together by the end of the Backyard Growcery season.

This FREE community programming is made possible through the generous support of the  Essex County Community Foundation, CreativeCounty, and Awesome Gloucester.

Join Backyard Growers on summer Thursday mornings at 10am for Garden Story Hour! We’ll be gathering in the Sawyer Free Library’s garden at 88 Middle Street for stories, planting, watering, and harvesting.

Lunch will be provided by The Open Door.

Stop by for some fun garden time - no registration required!

Stop by Gloucester’s new weekly farmers market, the Backyard Growcery, managed by Backyard Growers. The Backyard Growcery is located at Burnham’s Field, an urban park near Gloucester’s thriving waterfront, and features small-scale North Shore farmers, bakers, a seafood vendor, an artisanal pizza maker, and more, throughout the season.

The Backyard Growcery accepts SNAP and Senior Coupons. Burnham’s Field is accessible via CATA bus. It is located near the Sheedy Park stop on the Gloucester Crossing & Business Express Loop.

Stay tuned for a calendar of free food-growing, gardening, and art workshops taking place at the Growcery that are designed to bring our community together. The Backyard Growcery also features a Community Resources area where visitors can access essential services and learn more about innovative nonprofit organizations making an impact on Cape Ann.

Questions? Contact us at 978-281-0480 or thegrowcery@backyardgrowers.org.  Follow the Backyard Growcery on Instagram and Facebook.

Come explore Burnham’s Field Community Garden, a downtown growing space where over fifty Gloucester households are growing their own food. Visitors can get garden inspiration, see what food our community is growing, and learn more about joining a Backyard Growers-managed community garden in Gloucester.

Tours will be managed and supervised by Backyard Growers, taking place during Gloucester’s farmers market at Burnham’s Field, the Backyard Growcery. All are welcome - the more the merrier!

We are excited to welcome artist Maia Mattson to the Backyard Growcery for Seed Stories: 14 weeks of free, all ages eco-art programming offered at the Backyard Growcery from July 10th to the end of the 2024 market season. From a place of curiosity and play, we invite participants of all ages and ability to explore various methods of nature-based art making. Using eco materials sourced directly from our market vendors and local businesses, we will be making naturally dyed plant paper embedded with native seeds so that the art will grow when planted.

For the first eight weeks, we will be making plant paper! Every workshop is designed with maximum accessibility in mind so that participants of all ages, abilities, and interest can join in the process. Participants will have hands-on opportunities to make paper pulp, strain the pulp into molds,  and press seeds and flowers into their paper to create unique designs. Each week we will focus on a specific, naturally derived color for our paper making, so that by the end of the 8 weeks, we will have an incredible collection of colorful, plantable paper.

During week 9 and 10 we will explore natural ink making, creating colors from locally sourced plants and organic materials.

The remaining weeks will feature collage and sewing based activations where participants can create their own paper compositions. Participants can choose whether they would like to keep their seed paper compositions, or contribute their artwork to a large-scale community composition that will be sewn together by the end of the Backyard Growcery season.

This FREE community programming is made possible through the generous support of the  Essex County Community Foundation, CreativeCounty, and Awesome Gloucester.

Join Backyard Growers on summer Thursday mornings at 10am for Garden Story Hour! We’ll be gathering in the Sawyer Free Library’s garden at 88 Middle Street for stories, planting, watering, and harvesting.

Lunch will be provided by The Open Door.

Stop by for some fun garden time - no registration required!

Stop by Gloucester’s new weekly farmers market, the Backyard Growcery, managed by Backyard Growers. The Backyard Growcery is located at Burnham’s Field, an urban park near Gloucester’s thriving waterfront, and features small-scale North Shore farmers, bakers, a seafood vendor, an artisanal pizza maker, and more, throughout the season.

The Backyard Growcery accepts SNAP and Senior Coupons. Burnham’s Field is accessible via CATA bus. It is located near the Sheedy Park stop on the Gloucester Crossing & Business Express Loop.

Stay tuned for a calendar of free food-growing, gardening, and art workshops taking place at the Growcery that are designed to bring our community together. The Backyard Growcery also features a Community Resources area where visitors can access essential services and learn more about innovative nonprofit organizations making an impact on Cape Ann.

Questions? Contact us at 978-281-0480 or thegrowcery@backyardgrowers.org.  Follow the Backyard Growcery on Instagram and Facebook.

We are excited to welcome artist Maia Mattson to the Backyard Growcery for Seed Stories: 14 weeks of free, all ages eco-art programming offered at the Backyard Growcery from July 10th to the end of the 2024 market season. From a place of curiosity and play, we invite participants of all ages and ability to explore various methods of nature-based art making. Using eco materials sourced directly from our market vendors and local businesses, we will be making naturally dyed plant paper embedded with native seeds so that the art will grow when planted.

For the first eight weeks, we will be making plant paper! Every workshop is designed with maximum accessibility in mind so that participants of all ages, abilities, and interest can join in the process. Participants will have hands-on opportunities to make paper pulp, strain the pulp into molds,  and press seeds and flowers into their paper to create unique designs. Each week we will focus on a specific, naturally derived color for our paper making, so that by the end of the 8 weeks, we will have an incredible collection of colorful, plantable paper.

During week 9 and 10 we will explore natural ink making, creating colors from locally sourced plants and organic materials.

The remaining weeks will feature collage and sewing based activations where participants can create their own paper compositions. Participants can choose whether they would like to keep their seed paper compositions, or contribute their artwork to a large-scale community composition that will be sewn together by the end of the Backyard Growcery season.

This FREE community programming is made possible through the generous support of the  Essex County Community Foundation, CreativeCounty, and Awesome Gloucester.