CT Green Scene

Bethany HomeCrafts

By Christina Cioci



MaryLynne Boisvert has a talent that we at CT Green Scene appreciate and admire. She recycles wool sweaters and other materials to create unique and fun pieces of clothing, accessories and home décor. About 15 years ago, MaryLynne began to knit. Soon after, her friend Fran Larson of Blue Moon Woolworks taught her how to do needle felting. MaryLynne began her business, Bethany Homecrafts, with rugs made from recycled materials. 

To reach a wider range of customers, MaryLynne decided to incorporate her felted creations. Her booths at local farmers markets and other venues began selling more felted creations than rugs and her business evolved in that direction. “In the past year I've begun making skirts from recycled cottons,” she said. “So now the bulk of my business is in the recycled clothing I make, some of it is needle felting, and none of it is rugs!”

These wonderful creations can take some time to make but MaryLynne has it down to a science. From gathering the used materials to threading the last piece together, the process can take some time. MaryLynne gets a lot of the materials from thrift shops, friends and customers. “I have a friend in Maine who does a lot of shopping for me,” she said. “They have to wear warm sweaters there a lot more than we do, so the sweaters tend to be a lot more interesting there- much more woolly!” 

MaryLynne finds many man-made materials but prefers to use natural. The list of products made with her reclaimed materials is impressive. Everything from skirts to mittens, pot holders and diaper soakers, a customer will be delighted with their choice. Clothing is made from recycled cotton and the adorably charming needling felting includes birds, sheep, chipmunks, bunnies and pretty wall hangings.

Space, Materials, & Process: Tips on Greening Art

by Michelina Docimo

Michelina Docimo is a certified sustainable building advisor and writer. Her focus is on sustainable or “green” architecture, landscape, design, and the representation of nature in art. Her writings have appeared in CT Green Scene, ARTES Magazine, Culture Catch, D’Art International, and other industry publications. Visit her blog http://michelinadocimo.com/myartobiography.

Great art picks up where nature ends. ~Marc Chagall

Art is a process—creative, thoughtful, pedagogical, scientific, chemical, and natural. Often we think of artists painting happy plein air landscapes at an easel or spinning clay concentrated over a potter’s wheel. But just like any occupation, there exist risks, not only in their creative endeavors, but in their studios, the materials they use, and the processes applied. With ecology and economy being hot talk topics, artists pick-up on these social sensitivities and respond by prompting public awareness, seeking solutions, and catalyzing change. Here are some practical tips for artists, by artists (and me – a sustainable building advisor), to help minimize health risks and make art in a greener way.

Lighthouse to Benefit from Massive Liquidation of Obsidium Antiques

This Friday October 29th through Sunday, October 31st  from 9 a.m – 5 p.m. each day, Beacon Preservation, Inc. (BPI) is hosting a  charity fundraiser to support Green Light Academy and The Penfield Lighthouse. Obsidium Antiques is liquidating their entire inventory of antiques in one, massive, three-day tag sale. Proceeds from the tag sale will benefit Beacon’s educational programs and the sustainable restoration of its Penfield Reef Lighthouse.

In a previous article on this site, we discussed the benefits the Green Light Academy in conjunction with Beacon Preservation has on the high school aged kids who help them preserve the area's lighthouses. 

Sale hours are Friday through Sunday, 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.
    Find us at: 157 Main Street, Ansonia, Connecticut 06401
    (Warehouse entrance between Senior Center & Wachovia Drive-Up)
    Friday, October 29th (20% tag price)
    Saturday, October 30th (25% off)
    Sunday, October 31st (30% off)
    Monday, November 1st (pick up day and make an offer!)
    CASH, PAYPAL, & CREDIT CARDS via ONLINE DONATION

Forgotten Factories in Our Backyards

by Michelina Docimo

It’s difficult not to notice the puffs of white smoke pouring out of a smokestack skyline while driving through Bridgeport on I-95. Passing through, abandoned factories blur into the background, edges fading on the coast’s cargo docks. Confused images of production and malfunction begin to mix.

Set in the outskirts in an area of Bridgeport that used to be buzzing factory businesses, The Gallery at Black Rock is hosting Industrial Strength where it becomes difficult to distinguish art from reality. Gallery director and owner, Eileen Walsh, has always had a fascination with factories, their simple exterior structure and the complex processes occurring inside. Assembling fifteen local artists, the show has a taste of what Bridgeport used to be and makes you wonder what it could become.

Walsh recalls how in the 1980s, Bridgeport was affected by drugs taking over the city. “It was a time when no one felt safe driving through the streets. But as the 1990s came, cocaine went out of fashion, which resulted in less crime.”  Urban planning and politics helped build Bridgeport’s self-esteem and now feels on the brink of something good to happen. The stigma still remains though, not only in the residents’ minds, but in the air we breathe, the water we drink, and soil we build on.

Scrap Art

by Eileen Weber

John Caesar: Carpenter. Recycler. Artist. Not necessarily in that order. These are the words that describe a man who takes scraps of wood and turns it into art. To say that he repurposes wood for a better use is really just a euphemism.

“John is a true genius with wood,” said Mark Bachmann who hired Caesar for carpentry in his Westport home. “The term 'repurposing', however, I think understates the sophistication of what he does. He reminds me of someone who rescues orphans in order to nurture them back to happy and productive lives. Except that he does this with discarded scraps of wood that would otherwise be incinerated or left to rot.” 

Caesar said he has been remodeling for years. But his art, or wood “paintings” as he calls them, literally came from the scrap heap. “I see the life-force or nature of these things,” he said. “I want to reveal what I see in them. It’s me being in love with these things that people cover up with paint.”

FIRST BRANFORD LED LUMINATA DRAWS LARGE CROWD TO GREEN

(Branford, CT)  During a brisk autumn night crowds of families gathered on the Branford Green, blankets across their laps.  Most weren't exactly sure what they were going to see, but were intrigued by the massive lighting and music rehearsals taking place on the green all week.  The crew, led by Jamie Burnett, worked from dusk until dawn for several days in preparation for this historical presentation, to present the Branford Town Hall and Green in a "new light". 

Projects2k, a non-profit group of artists, scientists, & environmentalists,  The Town of Branford and the Branford Historical Society collaborated on this unique event to present an educational and beautiful depiction of Branford History in typical Projects2k fashion.  They are widely known for the Terra Series in the Stony Creek Quarry, often times straying outside of the lines, exposing people to science in a theatrical style.

Branford Luminata's program depicted an historical narrative through beautiful lighting effects (mostly low energy LED lighting), old images and photos projected onto the facade of the town hall and even a group of Branford High School students with full-sized clear models of themselves, named The Light Brigade.

If you missed last nights, you have one last opportunity to see it. Sunday nights program begins at 7:30 on The Branford Town Green!

Treehugger: Not Just An Environmental Web Site

by Eileen Weber

For David Johnston, nature and wildlife are more than just a backdrop for portraits and weddings. There is a serene beauty in all of it that needs to be captured. That’s what he tries to do with much of his business, Treehugger Photography.

But why Treehugger? “I’m really environmental,” said Johnston. “Our family is green. I’m all about conservation and sustainable energy. And I really like being outside. I like to highlight natural scenes.”

Johnston’s early career runs the gamut of sales, business development, media advertising and technical web consulting. Offering to help with brand promotion, he ended up doing a lot of photography. He found he liked it more than as just a passing hobby.

Celebrate theater, the great landscape of the Connecticut River Valley, and a very Green event!

Shakespeare in the grove is an annual event that runs from June 17th through  the 27th) at Middlesex Community College (100 Training Hill rd, Middletown, CT) The EcoFestival starts at 4 PM and features not only live circus performers and musical entertainment, but also over 20 green vendors selling their locally made and environmentally friendly wares and local farmers selling their fresh, organic produce!

We have live headliner musicians performing at 6 PM.

This goes on until around 7PM when the FREE performance of "Twelfth Night" starts. Suggested donation is 10 dollars. Feel free to bring lawn chairs and picnic blankets and food as this is an outdoor event!

For more info: www.art-farm.org or email info@art-farm.org. ArtFARM is a non profit organization that believes in affordable, high quality theatre for all and a dedication to simple, environmentally sustainable living.

Fun, Function, Art and Sustainablity

Consumers currently use 500 billion (yes, that's with a "B") plastic bags each year for shopping: that's 60,000 every 5 seconds. And what happens to many of those bags?

According to the San Fransisco Chronicle, "In reality, the rogue bag would float into a sewer, follow the storm drain to the ocean, then make its way to the so-called Great Pacific Garbage Patch - the enormous stew of trash - twice the size of Texas, which consists of 80 percent plastics and weighs some 3.5 million tons, say oceanographers - floats where few people ever travel, in a no-man's land between San Francisco and Hawaii."

OnusGear is focused on the solution. They have developed a unique way
to reduce the use of plastic bags and inspire community participation by conducting monthly design contests through their website, OnusGear.com.

Members can submit designs and other members can vote once per day.
Each month the 3 designs with the most votes will have their winning images printed on the heavy-duty canvas bags that come complete with a beverage holder and straps that are easy to sling over your shoulder. Membership is free.

The theme for the May contest is any design that has to do with trees.

So grab a pen, let the creative juices flow, and sign up on their website to submit your own design and vote!

Come to GreenDrinks for Drama!

Join us Wednesday, April 9th for GreenDrinks at the Fairfield Theatre in downtown Fairfield.

We'll enjoy a 20 minute special performance of The Boycott, written and performed by Kathryn Blume. Here's what's been said about the play:

"Packed to the rafters with moxie and magic, The Boycott tells the story of the First Lady of the United States launching a nationwide sex strike to fight global warming and save the world.  Come for a raucous tour of Oval Office affairs, psychadelic absinthe trips, enchanted frogs, movie star cameos - and land in a heap of unabashed hope."

Afterwards, we'll network and enjoy organic beverages and food as usual!

Westport Artist to Show Work

Westport artist, Mercedes Arensberg will show her new series of paintings in Brooklyn New York 11205, at Pillow Independent Art Space. The title of the show: "You, Me, Her, Him" opens Friday March 7th. The paintings are depicted in Arensberg's characteristic bold, post-modern style; a style which captures attention instantaneously and is meant to convey a thought or feeling without build up.

"We have the grand opportunity to decide to embrace the light and dark inside and in so doing bring a fusion of polarities; like those that exist between religions and cultures.  The point is to endeavor to bridge the divide in the most intimate, individual way.  This is giving birth to forgiveness and peace."  " As well as becoming aware that within each of us exists the other" Arensberg's desire and motivation is to simply and boldly express her belief in the possibility of a fresh start for all humankind.

Opening reception will be held on Friday March 7th, 2008 from 5pm to 8pm, 505 Myrtle Avenue in NYC, between Grand and Ryerson. Work will be up through April 4th.

The Graying Of The Greens

ERIN WALRATH and her fiancée, Peter Mariano, chat during Fairfield County Green Drinks, a cocktail party at the Westport Arts Center for people interested in environmental issues. (MICHAEL KODAS / February 13, 2008)

With Aging Memberships, Environmental Groups Reach Out To Younger Members

by STEVE GRANT |  The Hartford Courant

Something's happened to Connecticut's venerable environmental groups. They're aging, often dominated by members and leaders well into their 50s and beyond. Greens gone gray.

It has them worried. "The environmental community must make room for younger, more creative and less bureaucratic individuals who will stick their neck out on important issues and who will have the energy and expertise to galvanize the public into action," said Allan Williams of West Hartford, a longtime environmental activist and member of the Sierra Club.

Fearful of a loss of relevance, concerned they might lose influence in shaping state policy, long-established groups like the Connecticut Audubon, the Connecticut chapter of the Sierra Club and the Connecticut Forest & Park Association are now reaching out to attract younger members, employees and board members.

"We certainly do want to attract younger people," said Adam R. Moore, executive director of the forest and park group. "We've been working on that, just like every environmental group has been."

 

Surprise--The US Electronics Industry Isn't Green

The Kent Film Festival announced that the documentary film, "E-Dump" would be shown at the Festival, March 27-30, 2008 at various locations in Kent, CT.  The 20-minute film by Zhao takes a critical look at the waste that is produced by old computers and electronic equipment.  Zhao takes the viewer on a tour of Chinese towns that have been polluted and ravaged by waste products. It features workers sorting through computer product waste and shots of polluted wastelands.

According to filmmaker, Michael Zhao, electronic waste (or "e-waste") is being dumped on Chinese workers who suffer from bad working conditions while recycling 80% of the electronics exported from America.

Frank Galterio, co-founder of the Kent Film Festival said, "the state of the environment is sad, this film highlights the waste we produce and how it then produces ghastly amounts of pollution in other countries like China. Zhao's film is a wake up call to us all--we all need to take going green seriously.  It's a must see film for those concerned about the environment."  For more information on the festival see www.kentfilmfestival.org

To Do or Not to Do, That Is NOT the Question

I came across this video clip while reading the latest post on Colin Beaven's No Impact Man blog. It's an interesting argument and I'd love to hear what all of you out there think.