Creativity
Using art to build a sustainable community!
Creativity and Sustainability
We believe art can be an amazing way to teach and inspire our community about ways to be more sustainable. We like to weave creativity into all aspects of our organization. Craft stations are a favorite aspect of events throughout the year.
This focus area is currently managed by a team of volunteers supported by Core Volunteer Kate Fleming, who communicates with the Leadership Committee.
Creators Monthly Meetings
Throughout the year, Creators meet monthly in the garden, local libraries, and members’ homes to share their joy of arts and crafts. Sometimes we simply gather to work on individual projects in the community- that way we learn more about each other, and the potential of arts and crafts. Seeing visible mending projects evolve in a friend’s work, or celebrating a latest crochet project, inspires us all to try something new.
Sometimes, these gatherings will have a theme or specific activity- making plant-based dyes, basket weaving, making paint palettes out of seashells and clay, and upcycling t-shirts into bags.
Creators Seasonal Events
The Creators team also sponsors other themed events throughout the year, such as tea parties focused on different themes, encouraging attendees to dress creatively, share wonderful food, and learn about the seasons, or Solstice events like the Summer Solstice potluck.
We have also used art to promote the Dark Sky Initiative by installing a star origami display.
Open Minds Nights
Open Minds Nights were created to celebrate the talents of our group, build community, and showcase the ability of creativity to connect people and promote sustainability.
While on a bit of a hiatus now, this has been a well-loved series of events. Some are more of an Open Mic style sharing of talents of our volunteers, where poetry, music, and stories are shared in the garden as an extra way to get to know each other.
In 2021, we also held an art and spoken word event highlighting People of Color. Amid the pandemic, we socially distanced while listening to spoken-word and poetry performances and appreciating the different artworks displayed throughout the garden space. It was a truly powerful experience!