Many thanks to Dave Therriault for hosting, and to our own Bill McDonald for his camera work on a live Zoom tour of the Riverworks Arts Center at Alden Farms. The non-profit arts center with a mission to elevate artists and their art, is the latest of Dave’s visionary projects.
The location’s previous 26-year incarnation as a favorite local nursery is evident in the lush landscaping of the 2.5 acres of the sculpture garden, lily pond, gallery, learning spaces and various outbuildings. Dave’s enthusiastic vision for the Ag Reserve, and Poolesville in particular, as a historic and artist mecca is at the heart of the project that hopefully will one day include a performing arts center at the former Methodist Church/Thrift Store on West Willard Road.
The tour strolled through the sculpture garden, briefly interrupted a nature inspired writing seminar by local poet Bernie Jankowski, crossed the Pavilion, visited the Associate Artist gallery, book binding space, and finished with a demonstration of Dave’s stone sculpting process.
Dave, whose other community building project is Locals Farm Market and Restaurant, is bursting with ideas for Poolesville including temporary murals, and a sculpture walk.
If you missed this fascinating evening, you can watch the recorded event on our Facebook and YouTube channels.