Over 200 people poured through the doors of Short’s Brewing Company on Saturday, April 16 in support of the Institute for Sustainable Living, Art and Natural Design (ISLAND). The annual benefit concert and silent auction, now in its fifth year, was the most successful yet, raising approximately $6,000.
“We are overwhelmed with the community support,” says Amanda Kik, ISLAND’s Co-director. “We are a small, bootstrap organization, squeezing every penny to make it go as far as it can.”
The lineup included musicians from across the state, including Airborne or Aquatic?, Gifts or Creatures, Samuel Seth Bernard, May Erlewine, Mike Shimmin, and Samantha Robbins.
Money from the benefit will be used to support ISLAND’s major projects: Throughout the year, ISLAND hosts both national and international artists through its Artist Residency Program, supporting writers, musicians and non-studio artists with time and space to create new work. The CRAFT Program (Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training) connects small farms and beginning farmers through a network of support, workshops, farm tours and potlucks. Chaotic Harmony is a new and original interdisciplinary performance commemorating the life and work of Gwen Frostic. ISLAND works with garden projects at Central Lake Elementary School and Rapid City Elementary School, including a new community garden.
More information about ISLAND may be found at www.ARTmeetsEARTH.org. View Short’s photos of the event, here.
