Raising Brain School's "Woven Together" RAAC Ephemeral Art Installation in Sperryville, Virginia

We are thrilled to announce that Raising Brain has been awarded a $300 grant and a place to create an ephemeral art installation along the Sperryville Trail Network! As the first group ever to apply for and win this opportunity, we are beyond excited to share this journey with our community. We are grateful for the Rappahannock Association for Arts and Community for considering our application and being supportive throughout our build.

Raising Brain, "Woven Together" Nest - Ephemeral Art Program Sperryville, Virginia

A heartfelt thank you goes out to Kerry Sutton, the owner of Before and After Coffee Shop. Kerry graciously welcomed us to utilize his beautiful riverside land for this project. His support didn't stop there—Kerry also prepared the site, ensuring it was nice and flat, making the installation process smoother and more enjoyable for everyone involved.

Our installation, "Woven Together," is a collaborative effort created by students and their families from Raising Brain in Flint Hill. As a Microschool—a unique learning environment for homeschoolers—we embrace the opportunity to give back to our community that nurtures us. 

This year to kick off our community projects, our students have planned, built, tended to, and harvested a garden, donating its modest bounty to our local food pantry in Rappahannock County. When the chance arose to contribute to this project, we saw it as a perfect fit for our philosophy of community collaboration. Rather than presenting individual entries, we chose to build together, reflecting our mission to weave our lives and experiences into something greater.

Each carefully placed stick in our installation symbolizes a chapter in a young person’s life. Together, they create a safe space where children can thrive, supported by others on this journey we call life. Stick by stick, as we work in harmony, we construct a resilient structure that fosters growth and learning. This cyclic nature embodies our belief that a community should uplift its youth, paving the way for a brighter future for all—transforming them into mentors, educators, engineers, and engaged citizens.

We have also been invited to participate in the Fall Art Tour by painting a 7x7' mural to be showcased at the Fall Art Tour's Headquarters Gallery, at the Washington School. Please stop by and check out all of the amazing work along the Trail Network, there are several winners that made such beautiful pieces!