Arts & Entertainment
New Documentary Showcases Southside Blooms, Importance of Environmental Education
For years, Southside Blooms has been beautifying blocks one flower at a time.
The new documentary “In Our Nature” digs into the nonprofit’s work on the South and West sides of Chicago. The film also highlights environmental educators working to plant the seeds of meaningful change.
Director and producer James Parker’s inspiration for the film came from the continuous turmoil he’s observed when the topic of environment pops up.
“My co-producer, Juliette, and I were noticing how partisan nature had become, and how it was a bit counterintuitive, because it’s this thing that we all share,” Parker said. “And then that, coupled with lots of issues around access to environmental education, both because of political stripes of parents for children, but of course, also issues around access to nature and to environmental education programs of where you live.”
Along the making of this film’s journey, Parker and his team discovered that those who teach environmental education could act as powerful agents to bridge divides and cultivate community building. Southside Blooms is one of three subjects featured in the documentary.
“When he (James) approached us, we were interested because we felt like it was like a novel approach to the storytelling of environmental education,” said Quilen Blackwell, co-founder of Southside Blooms. “We thought that we would also do a good job of handling our story with care.”
“In Our Nature” documents Southside Blooms’ work. (Courtesy of Synchronous Pictures)
“In Our Nature” documents Southside Blooms’ work. (Courtesy of Synchronous Pictures)
“In Our Nature” documents Southside Blooms’ work. (Courtesy of Synchronous Pictures)
“In Our Nature” documents Southside Blooms’ work. (Courtesy of Synchronous Pictures)
“In Our Nature” documents Southside Blooms’ work. (Courtesy of Synchronous Pictures)
“In Our Nature” documents Southside Blooms’ work. (Courtesy of Synchronous Pictures)
“In Our Nature” documents Southside Blooms’ work. (Courtesy of Synchronous Pictures)
“In Our Nature” documents Southside Blooms’ work. (Courtesy of Synchronous Pictures)
Southside Blooms has transformed a number of vacant lots on Chicago’s South and West sides into flower farms. The organization also uses flower farms to provide employment opportunities for youth in underserved communities.
Just this year the nonprofit revamped the corner of Pulaski Road and West End Avenue in Garfield Park, making it Southside Blooms’ sixth urban garden.
“We try to farm in a way where Mother Nature would do it, and it’s a great way to really demonstrate in a very applied practical way for our youth farming and embracing environmentalism and doing things in sustainable ways,” Blackwell said. “Not only good for Mother Nature and the environment, it’s also good for them because they see the direct correlation and it keeps them employed.”
Blackwell founded Southside Blooms with his wife, Hannah. In 2015 they set up Chicago Eco House, a rehabbed two-flat property in the heart of Englewood.
Parker believes Blackwell and his wife’s approach to environmental education is one model people can look toward as an example.
“They’ve tapped into something that’s really magic,” Parker said. “It’s checking so many boxes. In a way, it’s kind of hard to put in one box, which I think is part of its brilliance. It’s economic development, it’s jobs, it’s forging these beautiful new pathways and bridges across Chicago, and that’s something we hope environmental educators and many other folks can see and be really inspired.”
“In Our Nature” will make its Chicago debut July 17 at the Gene Siskel Film Center. All proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to Southside Blooms.
