Eco-Friendly Art

Posted on by Sacha Cohen

Enjoy art with a touch of green at several Torpedo Factory studios next month. Visit the Target Gallery on Thursday April 9th from 6-8pm for the Reclaimed reception, which features an installation built entirely from recycled materials.

Weapons of Mass Consumption by Rosemary Luckett
Weapons of Mass Consumption by Rosemary Luckett

In the main hall of the Torpedo Factory, visitors can participate in building a “handmade garden,” which will include a large tree, garden wall, and flowers — all made from recycled objects.

The project, led by Torpedo Factory artists Lisa Schumaier and Alison Sigethy, will be built from recycled materials that have been collected by members of the community, including Taylor Elementary School in Arlington.

The same night, there’s a show of reused and recycled art at the Art League Gallery from 6:30-8pm and Recycle in Time for Spring Cleaning at Potomac Craftsmen Fiber Gallery.

Green on the Screen

Posted on by Sacha Cohen
Credit: Purple Turtle Films
Credit: Purple Turtle Films

Oceans, honeybees, and our very own Nora Pouillon of Restaurant Nora fame are highlights from the 17th annual Environmental Film Festival that will be held March 11 through 22.

The health and sustainability of earth’s oceans and sea life is a major theme of the 2009 Festival, which features 56 world premieres. Fifty-four filmmakers will discuss their work at the Festival along with 69 scientists, environmental experts and special guests including Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author Hedrick Smith who will speak about toxins in our waters and show clips from his upcoming film, Poisoned Waters.

The 2009 Festival also presents a retrospective of 11 environmentally oriented films by renowned filmmaker Werner Herzog, including his most recent, Encounters at the End of the World about scientists at McMurdo Station in Antarctica.

Nora! celebrates the life and achievements of Nora Pouillon, who opened the nation’s first certified organic restaurant. Among her many achievements, Pouillon has established personal and professional relationships with farmers around the national capital region and helped establish FRESHFARM Markets. A discussion with filmmaker Sandy Cannon-Brown and Nora Pouillon follows the screening.

Event: EcoTuesday

Posted on by Sacha Cohen

On Tuesday January 27th at 6 pm, join other sustainable business leaders and entrepreneurs for EcoTuesday at Bar Tabaq. These monthly events, which take place all over the country, provide a great venue to network and learn about current environmental and green issues from an innovative speaker.

This month, the speaker is Julia Hamm, executive director of the Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA), a national membership organization that facilitates solutions for utility use and integration of solar electric power.

To RSVP, click here.

Cheap and Cultural DC

Posted on by Sacha Cohen
courtesy Destination DC
courtesy Destination DC

Your budget’s tight but your leisure-time aspirations are noble. If your weekend plans include time spent downtown, here’s a Metro-accessible itinerary of environmentally friendly, culturally oriented activities that locals and visitors alike are sure to enjoy.

Begin your Saturday or Sunday with a hearty breakfast at Eastern Market. Locally grown fruits and veggies, handmade soaps and jewelry, and flea market finds are just some of the items you’ll find at this beloved destination.

Take the Blue or Orange Metro line from Eastern Market to Federal Center and get your fill of flora and fauna at the U.S. Botanic Gardens. Stay toasty warm inside the newly renovated Conservatory, which is home nearly 4,000 plants including rare and endangered species.

Hungry again? Stroll over to the SmartKart stationed outside of the Smithsonian Castle for eco-friendly, healthy fare including natural beverages, tacos, and BBQ.

Then, spend the afternoon at the Hirshhorn where you can view some of the world’s most important modern and contemporary works of art. Don’t miss Strange Bodies: Figurative Works from the Collection now on display.

For a slightly more active pursuit, get your skate on at the Sculpture Garden. Admission is $7 for adults, skate rental is $3, and the rink is open through March.

The Green Festival Arrives

Posted on by Sacha Cohen

Next weekend, November 8-9, the Green Festival returns to DC with 350 exhibits, green shopping, community networking, organic food and beer, live music and much more. The festival is a joint project of Global Exchange and Co-op America, and all exhibitors must meet the standards set by Co-op America.

There will be 125 speakers including Andy Shallal of Busboys & Poets, authors Marion Nestle and Barbara Ehrenreich, Honest Tea’s Seth Goldman, and Parin Shah (local policy director for Green Jobs for All). Festival attendees will be able to explore the latest in clean technology, green building, socially responsible investing, eco-fashion, renewable energy, green careers, natural foods, eco-tourism, and more.

Don’t forget to bring your yoga mat so you can participate in the 50-minute classes held over the two-day event, as well as free 10-minute one-on-one sessions with Boundless Yoga founder Kim Weeks and instructors from her studio.

Event Details

    Location: Washington DC Convention Center, 801 Mount Vernon Place (Mount Vernon Metro stop).

    Time: Saturday 9 am-7 pm; Sunday 11 am-6 pm

    Cost: $15 per person all-access for one or both days