Green Artists League » Education

GAL to Offer “Flower Power” Workshop

Dervish — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 16:30:39 +0000

: “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.

Air Your Dirty Laundry Inspires Next Generation

erin — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 21:53:08 +0000

m curtis globalization poster copyright m curtis

Michelle Curtis, a freshmen at Stonehill College was inspired by GAL visiting artists interative Air your Dirty Laundry.”GAL recently recieved a note from her: “I am a graphic design major at Stonehill and I wanted to share with you an environmental poster that i did for my graphic design class because you were the inspiration for it. We had to pick an organization that would have supported us if the poster were actually produced by a company. I chose The Green Artists League to support my poster about recycling. The main point of the poster was to show the viewers that there are more than one way to recycle. We are able to recycle trash into art. Please see the attached poster that i did for my class. Thank you for your inspiration.

GAL salutes you! You go Michelle!

“Air Your Dirty Laundry” at Stonehill College

erin — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:39:33 +0000

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.

I vow to unplug my outlets when I am done using my appliances.
- Kyle Weeks
I will take shorter showers using hot water and when brushing my teeth turn off the water. – Lori Daniels
I vow to unplug my outlets at night.
-Nicole Crescimanno
I will try to use my towels more than once.
-Gena
I own too many ICE’S (Internal Combustion Engines) Ride bicycle
-Jim Hawsgate
I’m going to try to unplug my appliances more, turn the lights off and filter my water more! -Maggie Seaver
My government employer wastes too much paper on forms that a lot of people don’t really understand and can’t follow. Simplify it to a letter and make a personal visit.
- L. Rivers
I want to quit smoking on Christmas Eve!
- John Martin
I will try and fix all leaky faucets.
- Eric Sarra
I will not leave the TV on when I’m not watching it.
- Noah
I will try to not to use disposable food containers. Instead, I will use a Tupperware container from now on.
-Jessica Jarrard
I will design and work with sustainability in mind and encourage my clients to do the same.
- Jon H.
I will pay more attention to where my clothes come from and avoid the unsustainable.
- Cassie
I will make a more conscience effort to not waste energy. I will turn off lights and other elements when I am not using them.
-Ethan Penny
I will buy a reusable thermos that I’ll use every day and will try to unplug my electronics.
-Emi
I will clean up the pieces of trash in the parking lot.
- Jim
Sometime I don’t recycle my water bottles.
-Frankie
I throw too much paper away.
- Devin
I leave my lights on and leave my room.
-Josh
I will lower my heat below 74 degrees.
-Alan Kafka
I will work on not using Styrofoam cups at work. I will buy glass cups for my co-workers!
-Pam K.