Washington Week: Student Voices (O)

U. Colorado area holding Earth-conservation workshop
By Amber Walz
Colorado Daily (U. Colorado)
07/10/2006

(U-WIRE) BOULDER, Colo. — Surfacing discussion around the topic of climate change has spurred a scientific fervor that has creatively collided with art in a way that represents the vulnerability of our Earth.

EcoArts, a series of events based around fine art, theater, dance and music, was developed to address issues of a changing environment and evoke action instead of just awareness by combining artistic experiences with scientific information on global climate change and sustainability. EcoArts events will run through next week, including panels and discussions about feasible ideas for reducing waste, pollution and energy.

"We really want to increase the awareness of climate change and close the gap between awareness and action in a non-partisan and delightful way," said EcoArts Executive Director Marda Kirn.

One event, the Art Stop drop-in workshop for kids was held Saturday at the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art in collaboration with Thorne Ecological Institute. Thorne artist Ananda Ellis and museum staff guided the activities. They make artwork with materials from exhibitions and agricultural aspects of the Boulder County Farmer's Market.

The EcoArts events are centered on four guiding principles: accuracy of scientific information, artistic excellence, environmental effectiveness and ethical practice. Collaborators include internationally renowned scientific and arts organizations like NCAR, NOAA and world-renowned performers Eiko and Koma.

"We have 20 collaborating organizations," Kirn said. "All these organizations are contributing staff time and marketing."

Exhibits, tours, performances, talks, workshops and even parties are included on the weeklong program.

Many of the tours explore alternative energy and recycling centers like Boulder County Recycling Facility where you can see firsthand how Bounty County's recyclables are sorted and marketed and learn all about the recycling process and Boulder's Zero Waste program.

"By participating in EcoArts, Eco-Cycle is partnering with other local organizations in our community to expand environmental awareness through innovative means and different mediums," said Broomfield Outreach Coordinator and Eco-Cycle tour guide Genevieve George.

The opening party on Friday at the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art was a Zero Waste reception and everything was recycled.

"The average recycling rate is about 28 percent; the city of Boulder is about 51 percent," George said. "It originally started in Boulder with a bunch of hippies on a bus. They used to process the materials in backyards."

Eco-Cycle is the major force behind the center. It is celebrating 30 years of recycling in Boulder this year and employees hope to encourage more participation and support for the future.

"Colorado is not set up for recycling," George said. "We don't have a lot of legislative support, state support."

Eco-Cycle is proud of its Zero Waste program, which is developed around the concept that some resources need never be disposed of, keeping them in a loop of recycling. The farmer's market is 100 percent recyclable and many Boulder businesses will hopefully soon follow this lead.

"It's growing internationally and the U.S. is far behind," George said.

EcoArts has been in development since March 2005. Kirn said she feels by connecting a cognitive recognition of climate issues with the emotional effect of art, people will overcome the three Ds (denial, despair and delinquency) and interject a fourth one, delight.

"We can do stuff to help. We need to shift to it, and get going."

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