- “Flower Power” Pot
Supported in part by a grant from the Newburyport Cultural Council, GAL collage artist Pamela Perkins will conduct five weekday workshops during April school vacation. Students will work in teams to create four large Art-Pots which will later be planted and installed in a shared community garden. This is the beginning of GAL’s “Articulture #3”—a series of ongoing projects.
Called “Flower Power,” the workshop utilizes drawing, painting, decoupage and collage techniques. Participants will visually explore the world of “plant guilds,” permaculture and edible flowers, and upon completion, each pot will represent the horticultural science of the plants growing in them–how they’re working together to create and sustain a healthy environment.
In collaboration with permaculture expert, Charlotte Dion, GAL developed the design and layout of the pot gardens to keep the soil nourished, attract pollinating insects and repel unwanted insects. What each plant is doing will be explored and artfully represented. The colors and flavors of the various flowers will also be discussed.
This workshop begins a growing season during which students will be encouraged to keep a garden journal, help harvest the flowers and make collective decisions as to the best use of the bounty—some ideas are to use as garnish in soups and salads, frozen into ice cubes to garnish beverages or make candied petals. The process fosters creativity, teamwork and successful outcomes.
In partnership with the Newburyport Learning Enrichment Center, GAL’s “Flower Power” will take place Monday, April 19th to Friday, April 23rd from noon to 2 p.m. in the Center at 15 Storey Avenue in Newburyport. For more information, please call Nancy Earls, Project Director at (978) 884-1343.
On a bright and crisp November day, the Green Artists League gave the Stonehill College community an opportunity for confession and redemption. Tapping into people’s guilt and denial of poor environmental behavior, GAL exhorted passer-by’s at Stonehill’s Family Weekend to come clean by giving public eco-confessions. Participants where invited to sit down and give their private “kitchen table” confessions to GAL artists Jeannie Dunnigan and Erin Stack. After these initial confessions, GAL encouraged participants to air their formally private “eco transgressions” on reclaimed clothing and hang them on a 60′ laundry line installed in the center of campus. GAL gave participants the chance for redemption via a public vow to change their eco-transgressive behaviors. These public declarations of change are listed on our full post. GAL has only posted those declarations that were signed. The playful and supportive atmosphere of “Air Your Dirty Laundry” allows people to look honestly at their consumption habits and empowers them to change.
