Festival of Friendship 2026

September 18-20
Free & Open to All

Register

The mission of the Festival of Friendship is to bring together participants and attendees from an astonishing array of backgrounds, both cultural and religious, for a celebration of music, art, dialogue, and friendship. It is a weekend of conversations, art, music, shared meals, and friendship at The Studio that is free and open to all. This year’s theme explores how belonging to a community where we are welcomed and loved can help us listen more deeply, see one another more clearly, and respond with tenderness.

“(now the ears of my ears awake and now the eyes of my eyes are opened.)”

e.e. cummings

David Meeting Abigail by Peter Paul Rubens ca. 1640

In our ever more fragmented world and society today, we are starved for belonging. “Third spaces” are increasingly disappearing; a subscription or transaction appears to be the bar for entry into a community. Our attention is bought, sold, and trafficked, leaving us feeling empty and lonely, with life often perceived as flattened, two-dimensional, and anemic.

By the Open Door (1902-1911) by Nicolai Astrup

The New York Encounter 2026 “Where Everything is Waiting for You,” struck us with stories of yearning for home and places of belonging, where people have found the generating love of a fulfilling Presence and a welcoming companionship. We saw that belonging involves a Presence, someone who emerges among others, a companionship in which we are embraced, listened to, forgiven, and loved as we are, a place where we are truly seen and heard and where we learn to truly see and hear.

(now the ears of my ears awake and
now the eyes of my eyes are opened)

- e.e. cummings

The Return of the Prodigal Son (1920)
by Anto Carte

We want to better understand the necessary characteristics of “thick,” not fragile, belonging where with our hearts we see and are seen, hear and are heard. In other words, we want to understand tenderness. In the words of Pope Francis:

“Tenderness… is the love that comes close and becomes real. It is a movement that starts from our heart and reaches the eyes, the ears, and the hands… to use our eyes to see the other, [and] our ears to hear the other…”

Through fascinating conversations, exhibits, and performances, come explore our theme with us on September 18th-20th, 2026.

Registration

This event is free and open to all, but we do ask that you register for planning purposes. If you would like to and are able to support this event financially, you can add a donation as part of your registration.

Volunteering

The Festival of Friendship depends on volunteers. We need help with set-up and tear-down, audio/visual support, the Kids’ Village, the book table, food service, clean-up, parking, errands, and team leadership.

Whether you can give a few hours or help throughout the weekend, we would love to have you join us. Complete the form below to tell us about your availability and the areas where you would most like to help. Make sure to scroll down and hit submit!

Other Event Information

  • See the full schedule here.

  • This event is taking place at the Studio at 36 Villa Dr, Steubenville, OH 43953.

    Parking spaces are available but limited at the Studio. Please carpool whenever possible!

  • Please RSVP for meals no later than September 8th as part of your registration for the event. You can register on this page or on the Events & Registration page.

  • Because this event is open to all, children are welcome! A supervised children’s village is available during all scheduled talks. Parents will rejoin their children for meals and scheduled break periods.