In September 2025, the inaugural Living Arts Gathering came to life across Bath County, Virginia through a three-day immersive weekend weaving together performance, workshops, and community.
At the heart of the weekend was the premiere of PORTALS, a multidisciplinary performance born from Kathi Hendrick's poetry collection and an experimental dance film shot in collaboration with Cornelia Hodges and Benjamin Henretig on the wild landscapes of Bath County. Held at the historic Garth Newel Music Center, PORTALS wove together live music by award-winning musicians Robot Koch, Jeanette Fang and Fitz Gary, with spoken word, visual projection, and movement into a transformative art space.
PORTALS was the originating expression of everything the Living Arts Gathering exists to cultivate. From its earliest form as a poetry collection, the piece grew through intentional collaboration, drawing in artists across disciplines, each bringing their own creative voice into conversation with the others. What emerged was a weave of mediums in dialogue: poetry meeting film, movement answering music, image holding space for what words could not.
The weekend extended into a series of workshops. Participants could wake before dawn for a sunrise hike and meditation on Warm Springs Mountain, float in the mineral waters of the historic Warm Springs Pools during a live ambient sound journey, or move through the village of Warm Springs on a poetic dream tour. Workshops ranged from somatic movement and breathwork to a tea ceremony and cave exploration in the Highland County karst preserve. Shannon Hummel and Cora Dance brought their Community Company Workshop, welcoming dancers of all ages and abilities into a single-session arc from inspiration to performance. An evening Artist Showcase gathered poets, musicians, dancers, and filmmakers for a night of live performance and shared expression.
SEASON I
PROGRAM
Awaken with Yoga
a slow return to self
Jessyca Jordan led a slow, body-centered morning practice designed to deepen presence and connection through intentional movement and breath.
Tea Session & Cave Tour
at the Sinks Cave
Rob Douglas and Rock Ward guided an intimate experience weaving gongfu-inspired tea ceremony with a mindful descent into the Highland County karst preserve.
The Body is a Portal,
a somatic movement workshop
Kathi Hendrick led a somatic movement workshop inviting participants to slow down, listen deeply, and move from the inside out.
A Dream Tour
through the village of Warm Springs
Poet and storyteller Mathias Svalina led a walking journey through the village of Warm Springs, weaving fabricated histories and surreal dream-fragments into the landscape itself.
Community Art Gallery
at the BEAR
The newly unveiled BEAR Building, Bath County Arts Association’s home in Hot Springs, served as a community gallery space, hosting rotating works by local and visiting artists.
Community Company Workshop
with Shannon Hummel and Cora Dance
Shannon Hummel and Cora Dance welcomed participants of all ages and abilities into a single-session arc from movement exploration to live performance.
Soul to Soil
a breathwork and herbalism immersion
Liz Bowden guided an immersive breathwork and herbalism journey exploring the connection between inner landscape and the natural world.
Artist Showcase
an evening of live performances
An evening of live performances featuring storyteller and poet Mathias Svalina, the Cora Dance company, filmmaker Djeneba Aduayom, vocalist and musician Natalia Beneitez, film director and screenwriter Rick Alverson, pianist Angelo Rapan, musician and filmmaker Benjamin Henretig, which offered a glimpse into the depth and diversity of creative voices within our community.
Sunrise Hike & Meditation
at Flag Rock
Austin Sarner led an early morning ascent of Warm Springs Mountain, culminating in a guided meditation timed with the rising sun.
Community Soak & Sound
at the Warm Springs Pools
Robot Koch guided a live ambient sound journey at the historic Warm Springs Pools, weaving music with the mineral waters.
Closing Gathering
in community
A collective reflection and integration circle to close the weekend, open to all who participated.