Good music, good friends, good food, and great art were all part of the 2025 Good Way Gardens Season Finale Sunday night.
Festivities began with the unveiling of a new sculpture, which will stand guard over a new round garden space on the Historic Howe House property titled Prairie Sentinals. The sculpture includes two structures adorned with clay depictions of various animals and insects, including an owl, bison, bobcat, catfish, fireflies, dung beetles and more, all created by the Emporia Arts Council Coffee and Clay club.
The group, led by David Mai, had been discussing a large-scale project of this nature for a while. At that same time, Good Way Gardens organizer Elexa Dawson says they were searching for a piece such as this to install on the property, and the stars simply aligned.
The sculpture was just the latest collaboration between Good Way and other community organizations in the short time since Good Way came into existence. Dawson says she is grateful for the partnerships that have been formed and hopes there is much more to come.
Following the unveiling of the sculpture, residents gathered to share a potluck meal before settling in for a concert provided by the Tallgrass Express string band.
Looking back on the 2025 season and the attendance at Sunday’s event, Dawson says it is clear that Good Way is becoming a staple in the community, and one she believes is needed.
In addition to the music, food, and sculpture unveiling, the Emporia Print guild was on hand making one-of-a-kind prints for residents, and the Emporia Arts Center Art Mobile was providing a free craft activity, as it has throughout the 2025 season.
While Sunday may have been the season finale for Good Way, activities benefiting the non-profit are not over just yet, as they will host a ceramic bowl making fundraiser on Nov. 16, one day before the 2025 Emporia Community Foundation Match Day, which Good Way will also be participating in. For more information on Good Way Gardens, find them on Facebook or visit GoodwayGardens.com.
For information on how to support the organization come Match Day, visit EmporiaMatchDay.com.
Photos by Tagan Trahoon/KVOE News
