Guest Editor: Elaine Dutton - Why Craft is for Keeps…(and naturally eco..)

Posted by: Guest Editor

Nearly all of us have an object at home whose sentimental value far outweighs its worth in cold hard cash. And despite what some may say, savouring your precious object doesn’t make you a ‘Gollum’, and I think it is a really valuable characteristic; one that will help us all to make the most of what we have, and keep it that way for the future.

Most of us are already questioning how our lifestyle impacts on the planet; in particular our consumption of resources such as fossil fuels, food, clothing and household goods. I propose that one of the best ways to reduce our rate of consumption (particularly of personal and household goods) is to invest in objects of quality that last, that we can keep, and that we can share with others.

Having worked in the craft sector for 4 years now, opening Pure Design, an eco-design gallery earlier this year, I regularly visit craft fairs to scout for new eco-design talent. This week I met Amy, a maker who has set up an alternative luxury knitwear brand called ‘Keep & Share’. Her mission is to create a sustainable ‘slow fashion’ label, which seeks to reverse the effects of throwaway fashion by creating ‘best friend’ pieces that will transcend short-lived trends and age gracefully. I thought this was right on the money.

And the great news is, there are many more makers and designers who have a very similar outlook to Amy. Susiemaroon, a Scottish eco-designer takes leather otherwise destined for landfill and creates chic floor hides and cushions. An Alleweireldt from Oxx uses old floppy disks, vinyl records and lollipops she has hoarded over the years to create cutting edge jewellery. What many describe as a labour of love (41% of UK earned less than £10,000 in 2002) drives these artists to create unique and beautiful pieces of design that we can buy and admire every day. Craft also satiates our desire to collect, with individual pieces acting as souvenirs or memories of a person, place or time.

AND as craft is small scale production, designers are able to keep tabs on exactly what goes into their ‘product’. They can source greener, sustainable materials, often using locally sourced, found or reclaimed materials. They can control production techniques, using non-toxic dyes and chemicals. And with so many artists working from home – they can keep their own carbon footprint right down. Weaver, Angela Morley talks about her passion for nature and natural materials in BBC’s Made in England

With these positive eco aspects to craft, and not forgetting the fact that craft can suit all budgets, shouldn’t we all need to take a little more time to measure the true worth of products before we pay out? And with all the economists telling us we need to watch our spending, I think craft for keeps could be a very sound investment…

Elaine set up Pure Design, a social enterprise and online eco-design gallery in October 2007. Its mission is to promote sustainable design and designers in the UK. Pure Design does this largely by providing a platform from which designers can show and sell their work, and encourages exchange of eco-design knowledge between established and emerging eco-design talent. To find out more visit our Pure Design website. www.puredesigncompany.co.uk

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Climate Change Charity Art Auction

Posted by: Vicky

For all green art enthusiasts, this is the event for you!

A charity art auction, ‘Art Aid: Embrace‘ will be taking place on Saturday 21st June to raise money to support poor communities in Africa, Asia and Latin America adapt to climate change.

The work of around 50 artists from the East Midlands will be displayed in the View from the Top gallery in Nottingham from Wednesday 18th June until the reception and auction on Saturday 21st June.

The many artworks available are:
Painting and Drawing
Mixed Media
Original Printmaking
Ceramics and Sculpture
Photography
Signed Print

So there’s something for all art lovers out there!

If you’d like an evening of culture, treat yourself to a beautiful piece of art and help raise money for those affected by climate change then pop along to the website www.art-aid.org to find out more.

Filed under Climate change, Art, Events, Nottingham, UK | Comment (0)

I AM DYEING: A world without color

Posted by: Lee

I wanted to wear a real beet red tee! I dreamt of real saffron yellow fabric on my skin! Yes I did! Carrots, coffee, cranberries, and conch…
I imagined not only the beauty of it, but also the heightened sense of being grounded. It didn’t work. Vinegar, salt, soda ash…. it did not work. The color washed out quickly and often turned to puce. I have a list of places to buy natural dyes and something called mordent; chemicals to make the color stay. Can I do this in my studio? Once I learned the quantity of materials needed to dye one tee (lbs. of bugs or bark), the cost (omg), and the nature of the chemicals, I got a bit leery. The amount of scientific work made my mind swirl.

I am an art school honor student, well versed in the color theory of Itten and Albers. Color is the greatest playground. In chemistry class I learned about the compositions of pigments (minerals) but never thought about dyes. I looked further and opted to use “traditional” (1950’s) reactive dyes.

In all my studying I never came across a bit of information that startled me to silence. Most dyes in the textile industry are synthetic. 100% of these dyes originate from petrochemicals. Yuck! Why did I ever have to read that! Take it back! A rainbow on an oil slick is now stuck in my head!

My colorful world went grey (and it was winter in Chicago and this didn’t help.) How, when I rest on my green sofa, can I stop thinking that I am laying on oil! How can we wean ourselves off oil if our very world is brightened up by it? What can I do? I wallowed for some time. Mum was the word on what I had found.

So I now wonder, if you take an organic garment, and add any type of chemical to it, does that organic fabric stay organic? Is it better to say “grown organically” so that consumer understands that it has been altered? Is true green color-free? And, what about babies? A baby’s skin is under developed, so new and fresh, thin and open, shouldn’t all baby clothes be dye-free? Wouldn’t that be the wisest choice for infants and the earth?

In the green journey there are wind surges of information that inspire new direction — “Crew, I changed my mind, tact the sails we are now heading north!”

I take change seriously, but as far as color dyes are concerned I will take small gradual steps. No “speed of lightening” action here; my tee shirt collection will stay colorful. I will, however, move to a more knowledgeable palette with time. I had heard, and believed, that being “Green” doesn’t need to require much sacrifice. I now believe that it does. It is my vision of “Green” that is a process requiring time. I am up to the task because I aim to find beauty on the journey to create the ideal “Green” tee.

Currently, I am hand-dyeing tees in my studio and examining all the details to better understand and control each color’s impact. I am admiring all the color I have in reach. My tees tell a story; a new medium for “Green” exploration, not business as usual, as some may think.

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Smarter than yeast?

Posted by: Vicky

When I received details about this event in Nottingam the organiser said “The name of the event is ‘Smarter than Yeast?’ Check out the dictionary definition of yeast and let’s hope we can prove we are!”

‘Smarter than Yeast’ is a day of fun and education for people in Nottingham who are concerned about environmental issues taking place on Sunday 3rd February, 2.00pm - 10.30pm at The Art Organisation, 21 Station Street, Nottingham, NG2 3AJ

From 2pm to 6pm there will be:

A free shop - Take home some new (to you!) clothes

V3 Power- Learn about renewable technology and hand built wind turbines

Still Within- Find out about permaculture

From 6pm to 10.30pm there will be:

Peak Oil Talk - by local Ecological Economist Brian Davey

Plus - Eco Poetry, Collaborative Art, Live Music & Veggie Food

If you would like to showcase your group or share skills at this event contact Hannah or May at maisiebate@hotmail.com.

Filed under Gardening, Climate change, Education, Art, Events, Nottingham, UK | Comment (0)

Origami Genius!

Posted by: Vicky

This is a fantastic way to re-use your Christmas cards and in fact any greetings cards.

I know that there are places where you can take your cards to be recycled but if you like crafts or know someone who does then here’s a genius idea. Turn your Christmas cards into gift boxes with the power of origami!

The boxes can then be used to put gifts in next year, especially those small, special items like jewellery. Alternatively you could ask your local craft group if they would like to use them for anything.

If you think that all origami is complicated and difficult then think again. Here is a video that shows you how to make these boxes - it’s very simple I promise.

I’m so impressed that I’m going to make them for our wedding favours. Admittedly I won’t be using Christmas cards, they might look a bit out of place in April!

Give it a try!

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Dott festival 07

Posted by: Francesca

I have just heard about this really interesting festival that’s taking place in Newcastle this week. The Dott 07 festival is for anyone residing in the North East (or anywhere else for that matter) with an interest in sustainability and an eye for good design. Dott (designs of the time)07 festival is the culmination of projects that have been undertaken throughout the North East community, including events and design exhibitions right across the region, exploring what a sustainable life could be like- and how design can help us get there.

The festival brings with it work from the Design Council, that includes new and exciting designers and artists who are exhibiting their work at various locations across the North East, including one particularly sustainable exhibition, the Plastic Recycling Factory. These designs developed by Cohda Design, cleverly reform plastic packaging waste into exciting, and not to mention useful, furniture designs. This particular exhibition will reside in the Fire Station, Pilgrim Street, Newcastle this week. Other venues included in the project are The National Glass Centre, Sunderland and the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, as well as many other galleries in the area.

The festival offers some great insights in the development of design and its reaction to our changing climate, and if not more importantly, it draws the community closer together in a bid to help our future environment. Taking place in most schools’ half term, it is also a good chance to teach our youngsters about leading a more future friendly lifestyle. Head down to Baltic Square, Gateshead between 10.00- 18.00 to get involved.

Filed under Art, Durham, UK, Families, Sustainability, Events, Power & Energy | Comment (0)

Environmental Expedition of a Lifetime - Be Involved!

Posted by: Vicky

A few months ago James Anderson contacted me at Make Hay looking for support and to tell me about his plans.

He explained with great enthusiasm about his preparations to set sail on a voyage that would educate us about our impact on the environment in places that most of us may never visit. “I want to tell the stories that no-one is telling or wants to tell”, he said and from then I knew this was something special to be involved in.

There are many, many opportunities for you to be involved too so read on!

I invited James to tell us all about his yacht, the support he needs and his plans to get us all involved in promoting respect for our planet…

Q. James, welcome to GGG what you’re planning to do is pretty amazing where did the idea come from and what motivates you?

I have been passionate about adventure travel and discovery since I was a small boy in infant school, the great Captain James Cook was married in my local church which adjoined the infant school I attended and he was and still is my hero. While other kids were collecting swapping and sticking pictures of football players in there books I was reading the Collins atlas working out the route I would take when I was old enough, (I still have the Collins Atlas I was bought at the age of 10 and it travels everywhere with me).

At the age of 16 I went to sea as an ordinary seaman and I have worked around the ocean ever since. My ambition and dream in life has always been to circumnavigate the globe on my own yacht.

Combining my love for ocean life, adventure, wildlife and conservation and the ever increasing situations the planet is facing from man’s impact on the global environment, I feel I have a unique opportunity to promote change and more respect and understanding for our planet

Q. When will your voyage begin and what route will you take?

The Atlantic crossing will mark the beginning of the circumnavigation / expedition the plan is to cross the Atlantic this Nov 2007 to Brazil (Angra Dos Reis) which is south of Rio de Janeiro and hosts 365 tropical islands “that’s 1 for every day of the year”

From there we will travel north along the coast on the way to the Caribbean and beyond.

During your expedition you will be making documentaries, what will the films say and how do they differ from anything we have seen before?

The mission and primary goal for this expedition is to increase the public’s awareness of their impact on our Earth.

Through film our Projects will further our understanding of the complexity and interrelated nature of environmental issues, wildlife, conservation, culture, pollution and poverty and communicate our findings in a factual and unbiased, manner. The key objective to each and every filming project will be to present a diverse and independent voice that might otherwise go unheard or seen. Projects that have the potential for immediate impact on personal choices and consumer behavior and inspire individuals to actively participate in being part of the solution to environmental and humanitarian issues. Projects that are produced and executed in accordance with the highest professional and ethical standards.

With a dedicated film crew we will be able to produce documentaries at a fraction of the cost of major production companies, visit otherwise inaccessible locations, but more importantly on how we live and work. Living aboard an eco friendly yacht, using the sun and wind for power and not using diesel but a clean fuel for the yachts engine, the team / crew will live breath and promote a greener way. Oh, and one other thing the yacht is 14tonns of Ferro Cement and not 14 tonns of plastic. I never wanted a plastic yacht for many reasons including trying to reduce my own carbon footprint, as much as possible.

Q. You’ve been working very hard to get the yacht prepared for this circumnavigation is there any equipment that you still need?

Over the past 4 years I have basically rebuilt the yacht in preparation for this expedition and yes there is still equipment that the team will need. Some of if is essential and some is non essential, from special inflatable canoes that we will use for expeditions up the Amazon, for example to a new outboard engine for the dingy. I have a list of things but I am hoping that we can get the equipment we will need from sponsors and supporters.

Q. For the right people there are some fantastic opportunities to be involved in this voyage can you tell us what those opportunities are?

CREW
There are only 3 types of people that sail on a ship “Pirates, passengers and crew,” and I am looking for crew, but a very special crew, ideally made up of 3 max 4 people. They will have the combined skills to create, develop, direct, produce, edit a documentary while living and sailing aboard the yacht.

Living aboard an ocean going yacht is to say the least an alternative way of living but I would like to stress that apart from crossing oceans like the Atlantic or the Pacific the expedition will follow the coast line and touch land most days. The yacht will simply be the home for the production crew as opposed to a hotel room for conventional production crews, needless to say apart from thier professional skills. They will need to have a genuine love for wildlife conservation, the ocean and adventure with a passion for the outdoor life and the ability to improvise, adapt and overcome.

They will have the unique opportunity to help build and establish the production company / organisation and share in all the benefits.

I have seen on many documentaries, and I am sure you will agree, that a small independent and dedicated team can produce and deliver excellent stories.

SEAPACKERS
Apart from the film crew there is enough space aboard to invite 2 people every month for a period of a month. They will be known as ‘SeaPackers’. As this expedition in its nature is about adventure, discovery, travel and education, I would like to take full advantage of the space aboard. They will come from all walks of life but with the right marketing we will be able to focus on particular groups e.g. students from marine biologists, trainee seaman, divers, wildlife film makers, photographers, and free spirited travellers, people from various environmental organisations and groups.

They will be asked to contribute to the daily running costs of the yacht, food, fuel, mooring fees, but more importantly bringing different people on board will add to the content and stories we will tell. In addition, as a floating production company Earth Reporter will have external and internal cameras and will film the day to day activities on the yacht from the fish that is caught for supper to the chat around the table (a real reality show). They will be encouraged to take part in our productions from presenting a documentary to assisting in expeditions away from the yacht. Each Seapacker will leave with their own personalised DVD of their time aboard, along with a sea miles certificate which will be a great help to them as part of a CV.

We all have something to share and learn, but as a team we can do something positive and that is speaking for those who cannot speak and telling the stories that no one wants to tell, while keeping it inspirational and educational and not forgetting fun to be a part of.

So if you want to reduce your carbon footprint. How about swapping it for a pair of deck shoes or a set of flippers, and help in promoting change? Whether you would like to be a member of the live aboard film crew, or join Earth Reporter for a month as a Seapacker I would love to hear from you.

ARTISTS
I would like to paint a storyboard on the side of the yacht. I feel that I have a fantastic opportunity to paint the yacht how I like and I cannot think of anything better than painting both sides of the yacht in a mural. The Theme of the mural will be humanity, nature, wildlife, conservation, poverty, pollution and promoting more respect for the environment “MAKING GREEN WAVES” . This will help us in promoting the expedition and its cause and any partners, supporters or sponsors that are involved with us.

Who and where can we find the creative talent that would like to have the unique opportunity of designing and painting the yacht?????

This will not be a paid position, but more importantly to the individual or company that designs and commissions the work, they will be actively taking part in promoting change as well as their art. This is a truly unique opportunity for whoever has the artistic ability to come up with the design, they will get their work seen all over the world. The process of painting the theme on the yacht will be professionally filmed with interviews etc and a chance for the artist(s) to come on board with the expedition, links to our website and much more.

SUPPORTERS / SPONSORS
Taking full advantage of the yacht and the potential as a tool for promoting a greener way. I would like to offer a unique opportunity to the right type of companies and organizations or individuals that would like to promote their products / services on a global scale.

As you will be aware, the ocean and sailing yachts are used in images on television and in magazines for a wide variety of products and services, from food and drink products to insurances, loans, sports goods, toiletries, and much more. My idea is to offer companies and organisations that are proactively promoting a greener way a truly unique opportunity, whether they are selling a product or service. The aim is to do something different and using the yacht to bring together many of these organisations and advertise them on the yacht together.com, all over the yacht

Floating Advertising Space

1. Logo promoted on the hull of the yacht
2. Logo promoted on one (or more) of the 3 sails the booms and masts
3. Logo promoted on corporate stationery
4. Logo promoted on crew uniforms
5. Providing a link from our web site to their company
6. Testing and reviewing of sponsors products to provide feedback of usability/durability in a real life environment.
7. Personalized uniform items for Crew that will carry their company’s logo
8. The opportunity for a sponsor to come aboard and use the yacht for filming purposes i.e. for a new product launch commercial.
9. Working with our partners, in offering motivational and productivity initiatives within their company, that will offer the winner a chance to come and spend some time with Earth Reporter and the team as a SeaPacker.

INVESTORS
Like most new companies or organisations I am looking for investors. I was on target to finance this myself and over the past few years I have been financing the refit of the yacht by selling properties in Spain and painting the odd yacht here and there for the shipyard were I have my yacht. Speaking fluent Spanish helped a great deal and I was doing well and on target until a couple of companies I was working for decided to vanish and consequently 58,000 euros of my commission disappeared as well. Then in early 2006 I suffered an injury that took me out of action for the rest of the year, unable to work and finish the yacht.

I am now back on track with 3 months work left to finish the yacht but I am now left with a deficit. I am hoping that I can raise the money through a combination of selling advertising space on the yacht and a contribution from a company or individual that sees the benefit in being involved in this project.

What type of skills will potential crew and SeaPackers need to apply for a position?

First of all I would like to say that I am a firm believer in the following:
a)Skill set can be learned
b)Attitude cant

However, with passion there are no limits and while it is important that the live-aboard crew are skilled in their chosen field, personality will go a great way to making the team and its projects a success. By all accounts Blackbeard was a great sailor but would you have wanted to share a cabin with him????

• Cameraman / Woman - The ability to film above and below the water a clear advantage
• Producer / Director
• Editor
• Marine biologist

Previous experience in any one of the fields mentioned is preferred but not essential. There are a lot of talented people that have been to film school / college who I am sure have the skills needed for this project and they, like me, are looking for the opportunity to express their skills and passion for such an expedition. Second language will be a great benefit to the team as we will be traveling many different countries. The ability to work alone and as a team a member, a person that can improvise, adapt and overcome to changing environments and situations is what we’re looking for.

Most importantly they will have to dedicate at least 6 months away from their home. If they have commitments that will not permit them to commit for this period then this voyage is not for them as the first year is very important in the establishing the expedition and its aims and goals

They should be healthy and of a normal standard of fitness, on acceptance as a crew member they will need to undergo a medical.

SeaPackers
They will come from all walks of life, nationalities, creed, colour and professional backgrounds. Sailing experience is an advantage but not essential. Any experience in alternative living will be an advantage, anyone that has been involved in voluntary work, and most importantly people that understand the importance of a team spirit

I could go on and on about the type of people I would like to be involved but anybody that applies to be a part of this expedition will be asked to send a video CV as well as a written CV.

Q. Having support for this expedition is essential to making it happen and it being a success. What will getting the support mean to you personally and what will it mean on the widerscale (e.g. for the environment, education, wildlife, people and any individual or organization that is directly involved in the project)?

On a personal level it will mean that the mental, physical and financial sacrifices I have made would have been worth it. All these years of keeping my dream alive would have come to life and it will mark the beginning of how I want to spend the rest of my days.

Speaking about the environment I think that each and every one of us should do more for the environment and not leave it up to governments to come up with the answer, because if we do we are doomed. I feel the key to saving ourselves and the planet, the animal kingdom and countless innocent bystanders from ourselves is education. We must change our ways, or face the collapse of the ocean world…and life on this planet as we know it. If our expedition can contribute to a better understanding and bring about change then I will feel I have done something worthwhile. There are so many stories out there that are not being told but they do need to be told.

Being able to offer advertising space on the yacht to companies, organizations or individuals that are in many ways fighting the forces that be to promote their greener products or services, I feel I can help them by promoting them on a global scale and at a fraction of the cost that they currently spend on their annual advertising budgets.

Q. Do you have a wish list of things that you need before you set sail and also during the expedition? If so now is the time to tell us.

Never been one for wishing Vicky but now you ask yeah I have a list.

I find myself completely alone in my endeavor to get this project of the ground.

I have sent untold letters seeking advice support assistance and sponsorship to many organizations and have been given the cold shoulder with many of them, not even having the common decency to reply to me and every one of them on their web sites’ company profile has stated that they are promoting change and would like to hear from people with new and unique ideas.

This has not deterred me at all, but made me more determined as I would rather look at the opportunity in every difficulty rather than the difficulty in every opportunity.

As a person that has been around the world a few times I am a firm believer that there are only to types of people “those that say, and those that do” unfortunately I have found that there are a lot more people that say.

1. First priority is to find the crew that will make the production team
2. To meet the people / companies /organization that want to do and not say
3. To find someone that will finance the website and our own Internet TV Station that will cover this expedition
4. To find the right sponsors that will help the expedition in way of finances needed
5. To find the people that will come up with the art work for the painting of the yacht
6. To find summer volunteers who can help with the boat - electricians, carpenters etc - food and accomodation support provided.
7. To meet anyone that feels they have something to offer that will help the expedition

If I can just fulfill those few things I am sure that everything else will fall into place

Q. James, is there anything else you would like to tell us about ocean life and your passion for it?

“THE OCEAN”, living on it and traveling on it that’s me in a nut shell, I mean what’s not to love?

What I love the most is that it’s filled with life, from the top to the bottom. It’s like diving into the history of life, to dive into the ocean.

But times are changing!! And man is doing a great job in destroying the Ocean and all life that depends on a clean ocean, (which is basically every living organism on the planet).

FINALLY - Name the Yacht!

Although James calls his Yacht ‘Earth Reporter’ he hasn’t officially named her or the production company yet. He’s looking for your inspiration and ideas to help him come to a final decision. I bet lots of you have some great ideas out there. Let us know!

If any of you would like to contact James, either to ask more questions, offer him support and send your good wishes you can contact him on keepdreaming360@yahoo.com, make a comment on this post or contact us.

Visit James’ Making Green Waves myspace page at www.myspace.com/154608260
Don’t forget to tell anyone you know who might be interested in James’ expedition and documentaries.

All of the above text and images is the intellectual copyright of James Anderson.

Filed under Art, Education, Sustainability, Media, Nature & wildlife, Marine & Coastal, Transport | Comments (2)

A fantastic find in Glasgow

Posted by: Katherine

The other week I was at a conference in Glasgow and took the opportunity to go and visit Entrading, a new green/eco/ethical/fairtrade/organic/generally very nice shop.  I had read about it the week before, so I had to go!

What a fabulous place, it’s not massive but packs in a lot of great products - and a cafe.  Unfortunately I didn’t have time to try the food, which was a shame as the food at my conference wasn’t very good.  I was very good, and restricted myself to buying a Seasalt top and a candle, but was very tempted by the Gossypium undies and the Lavera perfume (I never knew they did perfume).  I’m pretty sure that my boyfriend will love their organic Glas-gu t-shirt as well.

I could have bought loads more stuff: stationery, bags, presents for all my pregnant friends, a washing machine, paint, all sorts.  I’ll definitely be making lots of return visits whenever I’m in Glasgow, and hope to try some of the yummy-looking food next time.

Filed under Art, Fair Trade, Shopping, Fashion | Comment (1)

Greenweeks in Greater Nottingham

Posted by: Vicky

26th May to 17th June 2007 sees a fantastic three weeks of green celebration in Nottingham!

 

During this time there are over 100 events designed to inspire Nottingham citizens to make green lifestyle choices and improve the quality of life in Nottingham as a whole.

Organised through a partnership of individuals, local groups, charities and businesses, events include walks, talks, markets, exhibitions, workshops and more!

Looking at the programme, there is something for everyone. See for yourself on the Greenweeks flyer or the new Greenweeks website.

Filed under Sustainability, Art, Recycling, Events, Nature & wildlife, Nottingham, UK, Health | Comments (2)

Guest Editor: Christal - ‘I know what it means to want to green New Orleans’

Posted by: Vicky

After losing my home and everything in it, I moved to New York, but my heart—as they say—still knows what it means to miss New Orleans. I not only miss it with my whole heart every waking moment, but I want to affect great green changes there. I want to do it for my beloved city, and for the future. We can all be a part of the greening of New Orleans- if we only knew where to look.

So let’s start here…..
The Green Project is an organization based in New Orleans that salvages and recycles building supplies and other materials. Their work, which provides low cost building materials, has become particularly important as the gulf coast area works to rebuild following Hurricane Katrina. It is also vital in its efforts to preserve the historical treasures found in New Orleans architecture. All too often the destruction of homes leads to a pile of rubble. The Green Project (TGP) is railing hard against the very concept. They painstakingly take buildings apart piece by piece rather than with energy hogging construction equipment. Then they make those resources available to the community. Some of the great finds I have personally come across included original hurricane shutters, wainscoting, hand crafted mouldings, antique doorknobs and stained glass.

Recycle for the Arts is a subset of The Green Project which offers recycled art workshops and provides recycled art materials to local artists, schools, and art programs. They truly are a community center based organization and a haven for creativity.

These two interwoven non-profits are in dire need of assistance in post-Katrina New Orleans. They are one of just a handful of green efforts in the city and do such important work. The programs and facilities are vital not only to the rebuilding of a sustainable city, but to the arts community as well. New Orleans is a city based on the artists that create a rich tapestry in the city. The city needs programs and venues that encourage young artists to express their love for the city and the desire to see it move in a more positive direction. The Green Project is instrumental in that process and fundamental in the healing of everyone who has ever loved New Orleans.

Support Us!

I have created a site, NOLA Green Project, to accept online donations. I have partnered with some incredibly generous, phenomenal greentrepreneurs to offer an incentive for the fundraiser. Will draw 2 winners from the online donor list & the winners will receive an amazing tote bag filled with over 200 dollars worth of green goods. Please visit http://nolagreenproject.chipin.com/nola-green-project to help make a difference in New Orleans. BE THE CHANGE—KEEP THE BAG!!

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