Sharing Fund Grantee Empowering Communities Through Art and Agroecology: The Impact of Artists for Soup
Artists for Soup is a small, women-led organization dedicated to fostering food security, environmental stewardship, and gender equity in Nicaragua, with connections to Guatemala and Costa Rica. Through initiatives in food gardening, food preservation, and community-driven environmental projects, the organization aims to create sustainable change in rural and peri-urban communities.
With vital support from The Riverside Church Sharing Fund, Artists for Soup has expanded its mission to include small-enterprise and arts-focused initiatives. The Sharing Fund plays a crucial role in enabling the organization to empower local growers, particularly women, by providing them with marketing strategies for their products while promoting sustainability through initiatives such as beekeeping with native stingless bee species. Additionally, Primitivista painting workshops in Masiguito and Cuscuas have helped Indigenous women connect with their artistic heritage, using traditional patterns from jicaro carvings as inspiration.
Agroecology and Community-Led Change
A team of five university-trained female agroecologists leads Artists for Soup’s efforts, working directly with communities at demonstration sites and in the homes of small growers across multiple regions, including Corozo/Quebrachal, Catarina, Leon, and Cuscuas/Masiguito. One agroecologist is dedicated to managing school gardens in the city of Leon.
Community participation plays a crucial role in shaping the organization’s initiatives. Local growers determine project priorities and bring in additional community members as volunteers or informal educators. This grassroots involvement has led to tangible benefits, including increased access to biodiverse food, improved nutrition, composting knowledge, seed-saving techniques, and greater environmental awareness. Furthermore, women in these communities are gaining economic independence through fuel-efficient cookstoves and small-scale agricultural enterprises.
Expanding the Role of Art in Rural Communities
A recent and exciting development in Artists for Soup’s work is its growing collaboration with the arts community in Leon. By working with professional artists, the organization is developing programs that bring artistic education to rural areas where access to creative opportunities is limited. The video Art in the Campo showcases how art reinforces agroecological education while providing individuals with new means of self-expression. Watch it here.
Thanks to the generous support of the Riverside Sharing Fund, Artists for Soup introduced arts programming in two remote Nicaraguan regions, Cuscuas and Masiguito. This initiative has fostered community-led projects beyond art, such as a water rehabilitation effort funded in collaboration with the Creative Action Institute. See the video on art and water rehabilitation in Cuscuas.
Looking Ahead: Strengthening Sustainable Enterprises
The organization’s upcoming focus remains on Cuscuas and Masiguito, where it supports 100 women, many of whom are heads of their households due to migration challenges. These women are now in their second season of food gardening, and about half participate in the arts program. Led by Blanca Yahoska Duerte, initiatives will expand to include small enterprise development in beekeeping, fertilizer production, orchard cultivation, hibiscus tea production, and traditional arts.
In addition, Artists for Soup’s agroecology programs in Corozo/Quebrachal will continue supporting 120+ families, offering hands-on workshops on topics such as seed-saving, soil fertility, pollinator attraction, and biodiversity-based cooking. The organization is also fostering small-scale creative enterprises such as doll-making, with 14 artisans currently producing and selling handcrafted dolls.
Building for the Future
With 51-75% of their current project completed, Artists for Soup has secured additional support to continue its’ arts and agroecology initiatives throughout the year. Notable achievements thus far include:
- Completion of a school mural
- Establishment of a rural art exhibit in Millbrook, New York (scheduled for October 2025)
- A scholarship fund for low-income art students in Leon
Grant funds have been allocated for supplies, workshops, honorariums, and travel for Nicaraguan artists conducting rural workshops. The organization remains on track to complete its project as planned and is eager to expand its reach.
Sustaining Hope and Creativity
Looking ahead, Artists for Soup aims to extend its arts, small-enterprise, and water rehabilitation projects to additional communities while maintaining its core focus on agroecology. Strengthening partnerships and collaborations will be crucial in ensuring that rural communities have both the creative and practical tools needed to thrive.
“The Riverside Church Sharing Fund has been instrumental in making our work possible, providing not just financial resources but a foundation of solidarity and support. In these challenging times, fostering hope and resilience through creativity is more important than ever. Our organization is deeply grateful to The Riverside Church Sharing Fund for believing in our vision and supporting our efforts to build connections across borders.” Judith Nichols, Director of Artists for Soup, Inc.
As Artists for Soup continues its work, it remains committed to empowering communities and shaping a more sustainable and vibrant future.
For more updates and to learn more about this mission, follow Artists for Soup on social media or visit their website.