Alta Organic's owner Patti Spooner, traveled in August to the ArtMill, a center for Sustainable Creativity in the countryside of the Czech Republic. She took part in a work exchange program for Studies Abroad led by Professors at UCSC, Dee Hibbert-Jones and Barbara Benish.
The 14 students enrolled in this immersive studio art class created sculptures, drawings, performances and installations that explored art in a global context, using the rich history and culture of Central Europe.
The ArtMill lies in the heart of Central Europe, in the Bohemian countryside. Dating back to the 17th century, the Mill (once a flour mill) is surrounded by agricultural land, and rolling hills. The mill has an organic garden, providing vegetables and herbs for the lunches and dinners that were available for the students.
Along with running the kitchen, Patti was able to share her passion for shade grown, bird friendly organic coffee and explained the impact full sun clear cut coffee farming has had on migratory birds, plants, insects, humans and their ecosystems. It was a great learning experience for all and Patti was grateful to be able to share her knowledge of coffee with the students.
