A Conversation on Creativity: Inside Bath County’s Living Arts Gathering

September 10, 2025

Danny recently sat down with Cornelia Hodges, the Bath County creative producer behind Foodlore Provisions and lead organizer of the Living Arts Gathering, and Kathi Hendrick, a multidisciplinary artist, dancer, and filmmaker who co-created PORTALS, the festival’s opening-night performance.

Both artists spoke openly about their commitment to the community and the idea of creating a moving piece of art that highlights Bath County’s uniqueness.

The three-day festival takes place September 19–21:

  • Friday, Sept. 19 – PORTALS premieres at Garth Newel Music Center (5:00 p.m. & 8:30 p.m.).

  • Saturday, Sept. 20 – A full day of workshops: Awaken Yoga, cave exploration with tea, a dream tour of Warm Springs, somatic and community movement, and a breathwork/herbalism immersion. The Artist Showcase follows at 6:30 p.m. at Garth Newel — free for youth under 18.

  • Sunday, Sept. 21 – Sunrise hike and meditation, then a community soak and sound journey at the Warm Springs Pools.

🎧 Click below to hear our full conversation with Cornelia and Kathi, where they share the story behind the Gathering and their hopes for what it means to Bath County.

Story By

Danny Cardwell

Danny is the Station Coordinator for WCHG, and the host of our gospel and country hours on Wednesdays 10:00 am to noon. He and his wife Renee Cardwell live with a spoiled dog (Toddie) in Hot Springs. Danny is a Deacon at Piney Grove Baptist Church in Hot Springs. He operates Thoughtwrestler.blogspot.com and is a site administrator and featured writer for the website Dagblog.com. He has been a frequent contributor to The Hal Ginsberg Morning Show, All Politics Are Local, and Politics Done Right. Danny has tutored, lectured, and mentored at risk youth in churches, group homes, and inside the Virginia Department Corrections. He serves on the board of directors for Preservation Bath and chairs the Bath Community Hospital Patient Advisory board. danny@amrmail.org
FIND US ON FACEBOOK

Current Weather

MARLINTON WEATHER
WARM SPRINGS WEATHER
MONTEREY WEATHER
Become a volunteer today
Please help & donate today
BECOME A BUSINESS SUPPORTER