Programs Announced For Grace Farms 10 Year Celebration In New Canaan

NEW CANAAN, CT — Grace Farms announced this week programming for the foundation's 10th anniversary season, which kicks off in September and runs through May 2026 in New Canaan.

According to a news release provided by Grace Farms, a series of marquee events under the theme "we all build" will celebrate Grace Farms' journey, convene people with nature, present visual and performing arts, pursue justice across sectors, foster community with intergenerational activities and explore faith through workshops and lectures.

On Oct. 11, Grace Farms will host a celebratory day open to the public. The 10-year celebration will feature an extraordinary conversation between CEO and Founder Sharon Prince and Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa of SANAA, the visionary architects who designed Grace Farms' River building.

The full season of programming will feature a new groundbreaking series, Grace Farms Lectures, which will bring together visionary leaders who have shaped our the, inviting them to share the wisdom they have learned through their distinguished careers, according to Grace Farms.

Each lecture is accompanied by a 60-minute concert specially curated by Grace Farms artist-in-residence Arlen Hlusko and performed by some of today's most celebrated musicians. The pieces these artists perform respond directly to the life’s work of each speaker and the impact they continue to make, according to Grace Farms.

On Jan. 10, 2026, Prince will deliver the inaugural lecture on creating spaces that communicate and catalyze good in the world.

Other featured speakers include Miroslov Volf, an acclaimed scholar and writer and founding director of Yale Center for Faith & Culture, as well as botanist and acclaimed author Robin Wall Kimmerer.

This season's programs will include a focus on Grace Farms' distinctive, daylit music performances in the glass-enclosed sanctuary against the backdrop of 80 acres of natural landscapes.

Other season highlights include a performance by internationally acclaimed cellist and 19-time Grammy Award winner Yo-Yo Ma, Grammy-winning violinist Joshua Bell, the return of The Humanity in Architecture Film Festival, a special concert by Grace Farms artist-in-residence and Grammy-winning Canadian cellist Arlen Hlusko, Grace Farms' annual Earth Day celebration, a concert with Grammy-winning jazz singer Dianne Reeves, a special event for athletes with five-time Olympian Kerri Walsh Jennings and "Lunch with a Purpose," a new Grace Farms series featuring conversations with leaders transforming essential industries, according to Grace Farms.

"Since Grace Farms opened, we have welcomed nearly 1 million visitors and developed programs with world-class performers, celebrated artists, Nobel laureates, social entrepreneurs, and people committed to creating more grace and peace in the world," Prince said in a news release. "These programs widen our worldview and create meaningful dialogue. As we celebrate this milestone and launch a full year of dynamic programming, we look forward to the boundless possibilities that lie ahead — a future where Grace Farms will continue to build upon these hopeful 10 years and bring people together to create a more sustainable and equitable world."

New Sculpture by Alicja Kwade

On Sept. 13, Grace Farms will unveil the new acquisition and permanent sculpture, "ParaPosition, 2024" by Alicja Kwade. Comprised of interlocking steel frames supporting two boulders and an inverted chair made of bronze, ParaPosition's array of metal and stone draws viewers into the frame of this massive, yet fragile, universe. ParaPosition joins other site-specific public art installations on permanent display at Grace Farms, including Beatriz Milhazes’s "Moon Love Dreaming (2016)", Teresita Fernández’s "Double Glass River (2015)" and Thomas Demand’s "Farm 56 & Farm 88 (2015)."

Venice Biennale and New Installation of With Every Fiber Exhibit

On view beginning Oct. 11, Grace Farms will open a new iteration of the "With Every Fiber" exhibit, which offers insights into forced labor in the building materials supply chain.

"With Every Fiber" presents Design for Freedom, Grace Farms' work to elevate human rights and eliminate forced and child labor in the built environment. It tells the story of this work through new, commissioned artworks, according to Grace Farms.

These pieces have been created by John Sabraw, artist and professor of art at Ohio University, Nina Cooke John, principal of Studio Cooke John Architecture & Design and designer of "With Every Fiber," Webb Yates Engineers in London and artist Hannah Rose Thomas, who will be unveiling a life-size portrait of modern slavery survivor and social entrepreneur Nasreen Sheikh, according to Grace Farms.

The London Philharmonic Orchestra, which has a long partnership with Grace Farms, is recording a new commission for this exhibit, according to Grace Farms.

"With Every Fiber" incorporates Design for Freedom's principles into its design, including prioritizing circularity. The exhibit is circular in design, and materials from past Grace Farms exhibitions are repurposed throughout.

Traditionally, exhibit materials, from walls to flooring, are often built for a single use and then discarded. Elements used in this exhibit will be reused in future iterations, according to Grace Farms.

"The new iteration of 'With Every Fiber' is designed to help the public reimagine architecture with fair labor," Grace Farms Chief Strategic Officer Chelsea Thatcher said in a news release. "It brings forward innovative solutions in stone, pigment, and glass — building materials that are typically at high-risk of forced and child labor — and highlights breakthrough approaches to ethical sourcing that will create a more humane built environment for all."

A portion of "With Every Fiber" was adapted and included in the Intelligens CANON at the 19th International Architecture Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia, curated by Carlo Ratti, open through November 2025, according to Grace Farms.

10th Anniversary Celebration

On Oct. 11, Grace Farms will host an all-day ticketed celebratory event where guests can encounter, experience and explore Grace Farms, the River building, its fall landscapes and anniversary programs.

Visitors can purchase an Encounter, Experience, and Explore Pass to enjoy Grace Farms from opening until 1:30 p.m., where they can:

• View Grace Farms' first permanent sculpture by acclaimed artist Alicja Kwade, new artwork from photographer James Florio and the next iteration of With Every Fiber exhibit.
• Encounter new seating, designed by SANAA, in the plaza.
• Hear talks by photographer James Florio and artist Hannah Rose Thomas to learn about their art and process.
• Experience music by acclaimed Canadian cellist and Grace Farms artist-in-residence Arlen Hlusko in the plaza.
• Take a nature walk to enjoy the fall vistas.
• Enjoy pop-up talks about Grace Farms' architecture and landscape with the Grace Farms Education Team.
• Taste Grace Farms Tea through unique tea experiences.

Visitors can add to this half-day experience to enjoy "Conversation & Music: A Decade of Peace at Grace Farms," which will take place between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., according to Grace Farms.

During this portion of the day, visitors will:

• Hear from Sharon Prince, Kazuyo Sejima, and Ryue Nishizawa as they discuss Grace Farms with Toshihiro Oki.
• Experience music by acclaimed Canadian cellist and Grace Farms artist-in-residence Arlen Hlusko in the sanctuary.
• Enjoy a featured performance by Grammy-winning violinist Joshua Bell.

The day will conclude with a sunset benefit dinner in Grace Farms' commons that features a culinary experience with creative direction by Peter Callahan, according to Grace Farms.

More Programming Details

The following programming details were provided by Grace Farms:

2025

• Sept. 11: Mocktails with Grace Farms Pastry Chef and Educator Leah Jones
• Sept. 13: Alicja Kwade: ParaPosition at Grace Farms
• Sept. 13: Nature Workshops by Kimberly Kelly | Slow Flower Bouquets
• Sept. 19: Afternoon Tea
• Sept. 20: Move with Grace Farms x lululemon
• Sept. 20: Guided Nature Walk | Tree Walk
• Sept. 20: Member Day at Grace Farms
• Sept. 26: Lunch with a Purpose | Citizens of Humanity & west~bourne
• Sept. 27: Origin Story: Grace Farms Tea & Coffee with Adam Thatcher
• Sept. 27: Guided Nature Walk | Birdwatching
• Oct. 1: Guided Fairtrade Coffee Tasting | International Coffee Day
• Oct. 4: Guided Nature Walk | Birdwatching
• Oct. 11: 10 Year Celebration
• Oct. 11: With Every Fiber | New iteration unveiling
• Oct. 25: Guided Nature Walk | Tree Walk
• Nov. 1: The Way of an Athlete | A Special Event with Kerri Walsh Jennings
• Nov. 1: Aldrich Museum Tour for Grace Farms Members
• Nov. 6: Mocktails with Grace Farms Pastry Chef and Educator Leah Jones
• Nov. 8: Rest House Workshop with Slade Architecture
• Nov. 8: Nature Workshops by Kimberly Kelly | Garlic Workshop
• Nov. 14: Afternoon Tea
• Nov. 15: Move with Grace Farms x lululemon
• Nov. 16: Music at Grace Farms: Mon Rovîa
• Nov. 19: Journey into the World of Tea
• Nov. 28 and 29: Songs of the Season
• Dec. 3: Candlelit Yoga and Movement with Pilin Anice
• Dec. 5: Gifting for Good
• Dec. 7: Cookie Decorating with Grace Farms Pastry Chef and Educator Leah Jones
• Dec. 12: Afternoon Tea
• Dec. 13: Music at Grace Farms: Broadway Inspirational Voices
• Dec. 13: Nature Workshops by Kimberly Kelly | Sustainable Holiday Décor
• Dec. 17: Journey into the World of Tea
• Dec. 20: Move with Grace Farms x lululemon
• Dec. 27 and 28: Songs of the Season
• Dec. 31: Wellness Tea Retreat

2026

• January-May (monthly): Move with Grace Farms x lululemon & Yoga Series
• Jan. 10: Sharon Prince Delivers Inaugural Grace Farms Lecture
• Jan. 10: Rest House Workshop with Slade Architecture
• Jan. 11: Yo-Yo Ma, cello and Solon Gordon, piano
• Jan. 16: Afternoon Tea
• Jan. 22: Origin Story: The Empowerment Collective with Nasreen Sheikh
• Jan. 28: Journey into the World of Tea
• Jan. 29: Mocktails with Grace Farms Pastry Chef and Educator Leah Jones
• Jan. 30: Humanity in Architecture Film Festival Reception for Grace Farms Members
• Jan. 30 and 31: Humanity in Architecture Film Festival
• Jan. 31: Rest House Workshop with Slade Architecture
• Feb. 7: Grace Farms Lectures | Miroslav Volf
• Feb. 7: Life Worth Living Workshop led by Drew Collins, Yale Center for Faith & Culture
• Feb. 7: Nature Workshops by Kimberly Kelly | Seed Starting
• Feb. 13: Afternoon Tea
• Feb. 20: Cookie Decorating with Grace Farms Pastry Chef and Educator Leah Jones
• Feb. 21: Music at Grace Farms | Arlen Hlusko, cello
• Feb. 25: Journey into the World of Tea
• Feb. 28: Wellness Tea Retreat
• March 5: Origin Story: Prota Fiori with Jennifer Stucko
• March 7: Grace Farms Lectures | Robin Wall Kimmerer
• March 12: Mocktails Grace Farms Pastry Chef and Educator Leah Jones
• March 13: Afternoon Tea
• March 14: Nature Workshops by Kimberly Kelly | Ecological Landscaping Series – Introduction to Permaculture
• March 18: Journey into the World of Tea
• March 26: Design for Freedom Summit
• April 10: Afternoon Tea
• April 11: The Ma Within Architecture
• April 11: Nature Workshops by Kimberly Kelly | Ecological Landscaping Series - Hügelkultur
• April 18: Music at Grace Farms | Dianne Reeves with Romero Lubambo
• April 25: Earth Day
• April 29: Journey into the World of Tea
• May 7: Lunch with a Purpose
• May 9: Shop with a Purpose | Mindful Market
• May 15: Afternoon Tea
• May 24: Wellness Tea Retreat
• May 27: Journey into the World of Tea

Weekly Children and Family Programs

• Imagination Playground – Daily
• Bunny Book Group – Fridays, 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
• Studio Beginnings – Thursdays beginning Jan, 9, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• Open Arts Studio – Thursdays, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Tours

• Grace Farms Tour – Saturdays, 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• Private Architecture Tours – Tuesday – Friday, 10:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.

Full descriptions are available on the 10 Year Program page of the Grace Farms website.