kenny barrett
phx, az

GROWHOUSE is a community-based, public art experiment on a quarter-acre property in downtown Phoenix focused on local food production, urban agriculture, education, edible landscaping and the handmade movement. Growhouse started on a vacant, blighted property as an informal greening, arts and revitalization initiative by two artists, Kenny Barrett and Kelly Placke, in November of 2008. Since then, Growhouse has grown into a beautiful, sustainable community garden, residence, artist collective and boutique supported by hundreds of community members and volunteers.

For more info visit the Growhouse blog here or find us on facebook or email: growhouse@vegemail.com.

Valley of the Sunflowers will activate a 2-acre, vacant city block in downtown Phoenix and turn it into a beautiful field of sunflowers for two seasons, fall 2011 & spring 2012. The sunflowers will be harvested by neighboring Bioscience High School students who will press the seeds for oil and create biodiesel fuel for their hybrid solar/biofuel vehicle project.

Valley of the Sunflowers will:
- Demonstrate art can create a transformative educational experience for students.
- Demonstrate art can reduce urban blight by beautifying vacant lots.
- Demonstrate art can be a catalyst for sustainable energy.
- Demonstrate art can bring excitement and inspiration to downtown Phoenix.

To find out more go to the Valley of the Sunflowers A.R.T.S. Garden project page on the Roosevelt Row website here, or find us on facebook, or email: kenny@rooseveltrow.org.