Month: September 2016

SNC Day 2016

| Shan

There was much to see, learn, and make in the Bush Art Center on SNC Day this past Saturday!   Here are a few highlights:

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Volunteers Coneria Nansubua and Emma Hanson demonstrating the flower making project to visitors. 

 

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Detail image of a wall piece by April Beiswenger

Visitors made flowers out of organic cotton and recycled t-shirt fabric.  The project was inspired by a piece in the  April Beiswenger: 1000 T-Shirt Project exhibit. 

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Visitors waiting to tour the tiny house on display as part of the Shelter and Clothing exhibit. 

 

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Rebecca Rutter, tiny house owner, designer and builder, gave tours of the house from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. The house drew a lot of interest with steady waiting lines all day long. In case you missed it, there are three more days to tour the house!  Open house hours are Wednesday, noon- 2 p.m., Thursday, noon-2 p.m. and Friday, 11:00-1:00 p.m., through Friday, Sept. 23.

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Garments by Alabama Chanin on exhibit in the Baer Gallery
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Map piece by April Beiswenger on exhibit in the Godschalx Gallery

On display throughout the day were, among other artworks, gorgeous hand-sewn garments by Alabama Chanin in the Shelter and Clothing exhibit and a map piece illustrating where t-shirts are made in the 1000 T-Shirt Project exhibit.

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SNC alum, Hannah Kestly and student, Maria Deau visiting with professor Ben Chan in the Boot Making Workshop
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A full shop! 
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Professor Ries and her son at the boot workshop. 

A lot of boot making fun happened in the critique studio. SNC students and alums helped visitors craft boot models and handed out screen prints. The project was designed by professor Katie Reis and student collaborator, Maria Deau.

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Creating tiny house designs
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Tiny house drawings

Kids stopped in the Baer Gallery to draw their own tiny house designs.

Other events throughout the day included Art and Design lectures presented by Art professor, Fr. Jim Neilson and Theatre professor, April Beiswenger.  Cheers to another great SNC Day!

Ten Simple Ways to Transition to a more Ethical and Sustainable Wardrobe

| Shan

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Last night, as part of Fashion This, we screened the film The True Cost . The film explores the environmental toll and human rights violations surrounding the fast fashion industry. Afterwards, a question was asked about ways to transition to a more ethical and eco-friendly wardrobe.  

Here are a few suggestions:

  1. Buy used clothing.  There are many great resources for used clothing–yard sales, consignment shops, thrift stores, and online consignment and swap sites like ThredUp and Poshmark. 
  2. Buy quality garments that will last many years. Uncertain about how to assess quality?  Inspect your clothing items that have lasted many years.  Study the feel and drape of the fabric, inspect the seams and overall construction of the garments.  Compare this to a garment you recently purchased that quickly stretched or ripped.
  3. Care for your clothes.  Read care instructions on labels.  Put delicate items in mesh garment bags before tossing them in the wash.  Line dry clothes whenever possible.  Learn and use basic mending skills.  Store clothes with care.
  4. Shop like my grandmothers did.  They both had lovely wardrobes and chose clothes based on their personal styles rather than the latest trends.  They also purchased well-made clothes that would last many years.
  5. Host a clothing swap.
  6. Create a capsule wardrobe.  Check out Project 333 for inspiration.  A traditional capsule wardrobe is one that lasts for years, not just a season.  Build a capsule wardrobe slowly, with classic pieces that won’t go out of style.  If you crave new clothes each season try building a capsule wardrobe from thrifted clothes.
  7. Buy fair trade clothing and garments made from organic fabric.
  8. Clean out your closet regularly.  Knowing what you have and what you need can curb the urge to make impulse purchases.
  9. Support artists and small creative businesses that produce one of a kind garments.  Shop Etsy, art fairs and small, local businesses.
  10. Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good. Make a few manageable, sustainable changes. Build on that over time.

Meantime, check out the remaining Fashion This exhibitions and events!