Sam Van Aken hosts a gastronomical afternoon gathering at his expansive Open Orchard permanent artwork on Governors Island. The artist will share historical dishes using fruits harvested from the orchard itself, which contains hundreds of heirloom fruit varieties that were once grown widely throughout New York but have largely disappeared due to climate change and industrialized agriculture.
Organizer
The Open OrchardVenue
The Open Orchard, Governors Island
Category
Dining & NightlifeTag
DiningStart date
September 19th, 2026
End date
September 19th, 2026
Audience Role
Guest
Ages: All ages
Content Advisories
Interaction Advisories
Mobility Advisories
Tags
1
Events
1
Years on EI
About The Open Orchard
The Open Orchard combines public art and environmental preservation. It is a living archive for antique and heirloom fruit varieties that were grown in and around New York City in the past 400 years but have mostly disappeared due to climate change and the industrialization of agriculture. Artist Sam Van Aken grafts multiple varieties onto single trees, preserving rare fruit varieties and providing a roadmap for maintaining biodiversity in the face of a changing climate. Public programming includes workshops, talks, performances, fruit tastings, harvest events, and culinary lessons.