About The Blended Garden
Established in 1970 by Marie Eleanor Diaab, The (Unofficial) Blended Garden has grown from a physical organic garden into a dynamic, intergenerational community that nurtures connection, creativity, and growth through a variety of artistic, social, and horticultural experiences. By uniting individuals of all ages and backgrounds, we cultivate an environment that celebrates healing through the arts while embracing the richness of diverse perspectives. Marie dedicated her life to caring for her garden and sharing its bounty with all who visited. As she faced challenges of Alzheimer's, her garden became a joyful space where she created art with her children, grandchildren, and beloved rescue cats. Even while battling dementia, she imparted stories and lessons from her life in the garden, which have been documented as a testament to the power of artistic caregiving in human connections. We are The Blended Garden, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that merges art, nature, and education to uplift underserved communities. Our mission is to inspire creativity, growth, and resilience through intergenerational connections and innovative programs such as art therapy and nature explorations. We are committed to helping inner-city youth find their voices and strengths in supportive, beautiful environments. We invite you to join us.
Stay connected to learn more about our programs and discover ways to get involved. Your support matters—whether through donating your time, providing financial contributions (which are tax-deductible), or spreading the word, every effort contributes to creating transformative experiences for our participants. "Blending the Arts welcomes participants of all ages: At The Blended Garden, 'Blending the Arts' fosters creativity across generations. For our youngest explorers (18 months-5 years), lively paints and nature-inspired play ignite imagination and sensory development. School-age children (6-12 years) engage in mixed-media projects, expressing their identity, emotions, and stories. Teenagers (13-17 years) take on mentorship roles, honing their leadership through advanced art techniques and collaborative installations. For those 18 and older, we offer connections through workshops, community events, and outdoor adventures, cultivating healing and hope. Each intertwines art therapy with self-expression, promoting resilience, empathy, and voice in a safe, inclusive environment."
We bring our experience as Teaching Artists and our cherished friendship into every initiative we create. Often, we find ourselves reflecting on our own childhood experiences in school, which were frequently characterized by quiet compliance rather than the joyful discovery that learning should inspire. This reflection fuels our commitment to developing and enriching experiences that encourage both young and old alike to learn through play and the fine arts as we embrace self-expression. We invite you to join us in our mission to celebrate and promote the joy of learning that transcends the limitations of traditional learning engagements!
Our Mission
Empowerment through Art, Nature and Education
Fostering Identity and Belonging
Creating Sustainable Community Partnerships
We are a place where people of all ages and backgrounds gather to celebrate the healing power of the arts and the beauty of horticulture. Through our shared experiences and collaborative spirit, we nurture a space that fosters creativity and cultivates meaningful connections that speak to the spirit of belonging.
Community day care centers have been our fertile soil for teaching artists to connect with the youngest learners in their communities through materials and play.
We absolutely LOVE putting on a show! We invite you to bring us your most artistically curious youth, and we will create magic TOGETHER!!!!!!
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As educators and teaching artists, we dedicate much of our time to supporting and incorporating concepts of artistic caregiving into presentations. Mastering our practice, as we share our expertise within communities that are eager to learn how to use artistic caregiving within their practice.
Elementary students exploring equity and belonging can lead to powerful discussions and insights. Some potential conversation starters:
- "What does it mean to feel seen and heard?"
- "How can we make sure everyone feels welcome?"
- "What are some ways we can show kindness and respect to everyone?"
- "How can we celebrate our differences and similarities?"
These conversations can help foster empathy, understanding, and a sense of community.
The Beauty of Brown-
Links:
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Jahidah’s Book: The Blended Garden
The Beauty of Brown curated by Jahidah Diaab a Preschool Curriculum Specialist presents an opportunity to rethink skin color beliefs and co-create practical strategies for affirmation for children of color and children who are curious about the color of the children of color.
What does an educator or parent say when a child says “I don't like brown people” or “ I don't speak to brown people”. The design of this workshop aims to inspire, engage and provoke young children with the Beauty of Brown without addressing race, culture or identity but by using recycled materials and materials from nature. Brown is an often overlooked, underused color. Unfortunately in the classroom brown is underrated, unexplored and many times completely ignored.
The lonely brown crayon that is left in the box. The color not sung in the rainbow.
What if we could immerse young children in experiences that give prominence to the color brown? Making brown a color to celebrate, manipulate and use to create.
Inspiring a different perception in young minds when they see the color brown in their classrooms, whether it is a doll, a marker, a piece of paper and yes even that lonely brown crayon that always gets chosen last.
Is there a way we can navigate children to awaken to the beauty of brown?. To appreciate all the possibilities of dirt, mud and experiment with the language surrounded with the color brown. This brown substance that allows plants to grow that can also be made into mud pies is not only messy but ‘magnificent’. Brown is more than ‘yucky’. It’s fun!
Let us be inspired by The Beauty of Brown in our classrooms.
These materials put theory into practice. Hands-on approaches to celebrating The Beauty of Brown with our Youngest learners.