Growing Inclusive Communities: A Screening of Hearts of Glass

The Furman University Institutes invite students and community members to join us for a thought-provoking evening of film and dialogue centered on innovation, inclusion, and community well-being.

On Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at 5:00 p.m., we will host a special screening of Hearts of Glass in the Watkins Room of the Trone Student Center. This event is a Cultural Life Program (CLP) for students and is open to the public.

Hearts of Glass is an award-winning documentary that follows the first 15 months of Vertical Harvest, a multi-story, state-of-the-art hydroponic greenhouse in Jackson, Wyoming. Built on just one-tenth of an acre at over 6,000 feet above sea level, Vertical Harvest represents both an innovative approach to sustainable, local food production and a bold model for inclusive employment. The film weaves together the challenges of launching a social enterprise with the personal journeys of employees with intellectual and developmental disabilities, highlighting how meaningful, competitively paid work can transform lives and communities.

At its core, Hearts of Glass is an intimate portrait of social entrepreneurship at the intersection of disability rights, sustainability, health, and economic inclusion. It illustrates how innovation and intentional design can create environments where both people and communities thrive.

Following the screening, attendees are invited to stay for a moderated panel discussion featuring Kerry Sease, Executive Director of the Institute for the Advancement of Community Health; Bryan Boroughs, Executive Director of The Riley Institute; Bryan Davis, Executive Director of The Hill Institute; and Andrew Predmore, Executive Director of The Shi Institute, along with the film’s director and producer, Jennifer Tennican, and other voices featured in the documentary. Together, the panel will explore how the themes presented in the film, including employment equity, community-based business, food systems, and resilience, connect to the needs, challenges, and opportunities within our own local and regional context.

This conversation is designed to move beyond reflection and toward action. By fostering informed dialogue and encouraging the exchange of ideas across disciplines and sectors, the event aims to inspire civic engagement, collaborative problem solving, and practical steps that can strengthen the health and well-being of our community.

Event Details
Date: January 21, 2026
Time: 5:00 p.m.
Location: Watkins Room, Trone Student Center
CLP: Approved Cultural Life Program
Audience: Open to students and the public

Learn more about the film at heartsofglassfilm.com and view the CLP listing on Furman’s website.

We hope you will join us for this meaningful evening of storytelling, conversation, and community connection.