Crafting Community for Climate Action
Join us in crafting artworks using materials that are often discarded or recycled!
Mindful Makers, alongside many community partners, are thrilled to be supporting Tuija Hansen’s project, “Crafting Community For Climate Action!”
The core of this project asks, “How might we, as artists, act on and inspire positive climate action?” Using recycled materials that are often discarded, we will craft inventive artworks intended for exhibition. In the process, we’ll add value to discarded / non-recyclable materials while becoming more aware of our effects and impact on climate, as artists and makers.
Upcoming Activities:
April 26th, 10-4 pm —An information table at the Shop the Closet eco-fashion event at Goods and Co. Market.
May 2025 —A series of workshops led by the project artists: Tuija Hansen, Kayeleigh Larocque, Natalia Moskwa, and Georgia Wilkins. Register and find out more below!
May: A series of drop-in making sessions during Mindful Makers’ Open Studio!
… and an eco-art celebration and exhibition later in 2025!
WORKSHOPS
-
LOCATION
Workshops are being held (upstairs) in Lakehead University’s Music and Visual Arts Building. You’ll find us either in Room number MV2006 OR 2004 (it's a small building, so you'll hear us!).
-
TRANSPORTATION. AND PARKING
All City busses stop at the University, Agora Circle— with the second bus stop being closest to the Music and Visual Arts Building.
PARKING IS FREE Saturday through Sunday. Otherwise, metered parking is available near by for $1.50 / hour OR parking passes are available at the Pay and Display machine for the same hourly rate.
-
MAP
To locate the William H. Buset Music and Visual Arts Building, view Lakehead University’s campus map. The building is located off the Agora Circle, near the bike shed.
Two versions of the map are available at the following link: https://www.lakeheadu.ca/about/thunder-bay-campus/tb-maps
-
Accessibility Notes
We are fragrance free. Scented products often contain toxic ingredients which affect people in our community that suffer from Multiple Chemical Sensitivities or Environmental Illnesses. Fragrances can have mild to debilitating effects on individuals—often lasting days. We ask that you refrain from using products that are scented.
Many Collective members live with compromised immune systems and/or chronic illness. So please do not attend our programs if you are experiencing any cold/flu symptoms. Masks are optional and provided.
The building is WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE, with an elevator located centrally on the lower level.
-
Sat. May 17
1-4 pm
Whimsical Vessels hand-stitched and embellished using recycled upholstery, felt, and other fibres. Is it a box, a basket, or a bowl?
-
Sat. May 24
1-4pm
Community Crochet Using Plastic Yarn: learn to make yarn from plastic bags and crochet the traditional “granny square,” contributing a square to our community-created “blanket”.
Although we don't shop with them, we still accumulate these bags: bread, milk, potato, apple, etc.
-
Sat. May 31
1-4pm
Fabric Scrap Mosaic
utilizing builder's styrofoam. Help create our large-scale “window-frame” while learning this fun technique (stitch-free)!
-
Sat. June 7
1 - 4 pm
Broken Ceramic mosaic tiles - bring a broken piece of pottery if you have one, we’ll be playing with broken mugs and bowls as we give them new life into concrete tiles.
Have Questions about Crafting Community?
Email Project Lead, Tuija Hansen: TuijaHansen@gmail.com
This project is made possible thanks to funding from the Ontario Arts Council, an agency of the Government of Ontario.
We would like to thank and acknowledge the support for Crafting Community we’ve received from Mindful Makers Collective, Goods Co. Market, The Lakehead University Music and Visual Arts Department, Eco-Superior, and the community of Thunder Bay!
