‍Good Way Gardens (GWG) is a land-based arts organization in Emporia, Kansas, founded by Elexa Dawson, a musician enrolled in the Citizen Potawatomi Nation with a deep history of involvement with land-based initiatives and a certificate in sustainable agriculture. The organization operates under the philosophy that "culture is what we cultivate." 

‍Our primary value is community, and we work to mend the frayed edges of our struggling society through vibrant cultural experiences. “Good Way” refers to an Indigenous colloquialism. It’s a core value to live “in a good way”, in actively good relationships with our neighbors, both human and more-than-human. Building relationships is our primary activity.

Our Mission
‍Good Way Gardens’ mission is to cultivate a culture of sustainability and creativity through music, land-based connection, and public creativity. We promote familiarity with healthy and accessible food, medicine, and pollinator-friendly plants by distributing seedlings and cuttings. 

We increase access to art and sustainability through free and tuition-based education. We believe that all of us have a deep ancestral connection to the land, and we all have the right to sing, create, and return to a good relationship with ourselves, the earth, and all its inhabitants.

‍Our History
‍We began cultivating our garden and the "Good Way Sunday" concert series at the historic Richard Howe House in 2023 in partnership with the Lyon County Historical Society. These free, monthly community events integrated live performances with hands-on art projects and ecological education. Community partners like Emporia Arts Council (ArtMobile) and House of Morrow (literary elements) added depth and breadth to the events.

GWG’s community partnerships have also included Emporia State University's PAROC, Emporia Public Library, ESU’s Art Therapy Department, and Queer Year Round.

In 2026, GWG moved its Sunday concert series to Fremont Park. Through a generous partnership with Mitchell Markowitz Construction, we opened a Community Center at 225 East 6th Avenue just East of downtown Emporia, where we installed raised vegetable beds, thanks to a generous donation from the communuty through Empty Bowls, arranged by ESU Clay Guild.

We're now able to offer a stage and sound system for concerts, a venue for classes and community gatherings, an incubator kitchen for food entrepreneurship programs and culinary education, and the on-site garden, featuring native herbs, flowers and raised vegetable beds.

The organization is pursuing 501(c)(3) status and remains dedicated to creating a vital community space that fosters community resilience.