Guild Alive with Culture Brings Community Together

Guild Alive with Culture is one of the most important weekends of the year for Friends of Guild Park. For me, however, the most rewarding part of the weekend is the opportunity to connect with people and share stories.

It provides an opportunity for visitors to support our work by becoming members, renewing memberships and purchasing merchandise that helps fund our programs and advocacy throughout the year.

Throughout the festival, visitors stopped by our booth to ask questions, learn more about the park, and reminisce about their own experiences here.

One especially meaningful visit came from Sara Williamson, daughter of Guild of All Arts resident sculptor Elizabeth Fraser Williamson. 

Visitors to the Friends of Guild Park booth during Guild Alive with Culture included Sara Williamson (second from left), daughter of Guild of All Arts resident sculptor Elizabeth Fraser Williamson. She is pictured with Friends of Guild Park directors Jen Doose, Ron Spohn, Rose Mitchell Spohn and Isaiah Thomas.

Encounters like this remind us that the site's history is not just preserved in its buildings and artworks - it also lives on through the people and families who remain connected to this remarkable place.

Some shared memories of the Clark family's generosity and the remarkable transformation of the property over the decades. Others spoke about artists they had known, remembered the famous Guild Inn pool and garden maze, or simply wanted to tell us why this place continues to matter to them.

Those conversations remind us that this place means something different to every visitor, yet it creates lasting memories for all who spend time here.

The festival also gave Friends of Guild Park an opportunity to welcome new supporters, reconnect with longtime members and introduce hundreds of visitors to our walks, programs and volunteer opportunities.

I always leave the weekend feeling even more committed to our mission. Every conversation helps preserve another piece of Guild Park's story.

Isaiah Thomas

Director, Friends of Guild Park

Contest Winners from Guild Alive

Congratulations to the winners of Friends of Guild Park's 'Guess the Number' contest at Guild Alive with Culture.

The sealed container held 377 plastic items collected from Guild Park's shoreline during volunteer cleanups led by Rose Mitchell Spohn. The closest guesses were 375 and 417, with each winner receiving an Indigo gift card.

These 377 plastic items were collected from the shoreline before becoming part of our "Guess the Number" contest.