Eco Arts marries Creativity & Nature article

Zola Gallery

Zola Gallery. 

The Eco Arts Council of the Quad Cities endorses Zola, an Eco-Art Gallery.

The Eco Arts Council of the Quad Cities supports our community as a place of creative and celebratory environments in which encouragement is given to innovative events, participatory arts projects and a destination for artist residencies - for advocating, demonstrating and creating works that celebrate the Midwest Region and Mississippi area life and environmental issues of our home in the Quad Cities area. It is the belief of the EACQC that people’s sense of identity, attachment and sustainability to their hometown can be improved with these provisions.

Zola Gallery is dedicated to creating a movement in culture that keeps the idea of ecology close to our awareness and inspires appreciation of Nature and supports natural living. Zola is the Quad Cities first and premier model for an EcoArts gallery, taking the lead in EcoArts growth and environmental practices. 

Zola offers high quality EcoArt pieces in a professional, industry-standard setting, a meeting place for members of the EACQC to gather, a location to teach educational Eco workshops, as well as a variety of retail services: art lessons, educational workshops, art installation, art critique and publication, graphic design, creative consultation, large scale mural painting, as well as custom canvas frames built to order. Zola generates sales through Art  “rentals”. Rental periods are in three-month rental increments. At the end of each rental term, clients will have the option to purchase. This arrangement will be promoted to business and organizations interested in becoming more “Green” and renting artwork is beneficial to clients as they can write it off as an “operating” expense. Zola offers outreach Eco Art demonstration services and promote current exhibitions through these opportunities in order to generate additional sales.

Zola operates on a strong philosophical foundation. Zola boldly re-envisions the by-products of modern society while encouraging consumers and institutions to be eco-logical citizens. Zola will support “Environmental Art” that supports Reuse, Reduce, Recycle, Upcycle, Refurbish, Repurpose and such eco-friendly practices and use of products in production of Eco Art. Unlike the conventional art world, in addition to serving typical scenes and audience members, we will also serve the uninitiated, typically intimidated, and promote community engaging art participation and appreciation through on-site and outreach Eco-Art making opportunities. Zola will encourage reconnection with nature, our relationship to it and celebratory discovery of such through art making, art-purchasing and group exhibition of Eco Art.

Zola works with artists, collectors, educators, and our community at large to provide community building through public art exhibitions, educational opportunities, and promotion while fostering artistic and cultural experiences within the community. Zola compliments existing creative endeavors within the area.

Zola supports and promotes the “Creativity and Placemaking” trend that involves cultural facilities designed to leverage the benefits of collaboration and co-location. This trend includes: Multi-use hubs that integrate arts, culture, heritage and library facilities to share resources and operation costs, and to develop strategic partnerships, cultural or creative incubators that, in various ways, offer a platform of support for creators and enable connection, production and networking among creators and with the public, multi-sector convergence centers that are designed to maximize socialization, networking, and random collisions, and thus become major connecting hubs and economic engines in communities, artist live/work or studio complexes that focus on live/work studios, artist living spaces and a variety of space uses including rehearsal spaces, retail and cafés, integrated community projects that include cultural, environmental and social uses.

The Quad Cities area needs a venue to promote highly original, diverse, and successful contemporary ecological art for clients’ needs. They need a gallery space already exemplifying and embodying all aspects of the EcoArt movement, and sustainable living practices. A need exists for a creative and original viewing space outside of the traditional quad cities art-gallery setting. Zola allows for a retail space capable of taking EACQC to the next level by combining visual, ecological, performing, and literary art with a retail storefront, as well as allowing for creative incubation and collaborative networking which is fundamental in building existing as well as future businesses.

The presentation of ecological artwork, artist workshops, and local handmade goods within an original gallery setting will provide a highly unique, creative and cultural experience to a diverse audience- from the casual gallery visitor, to the curious child and parent, to the professional artist, the art student, as well as the potential art investor. A goal is to create a culture center for all instead of a culture for a few. Attention will be given to show symbiotically what’s going on in these places and a positive representation and sense of who is there, too.

Zola sells to clients seeking an investment in Fine Art while maintaining the highest environmental standards. Clients seek the design experience of Zola’s professionals whether it be a physical art object for their home or business, interior design, art instruction, exterior design, educational opportunities, creative community events, creative consultation, and access to original artwork and handmade products.

Customers desire this product because they see a potential gain for investment with pieces constructed by renowned artists with developing careers, as well as wanting to continue to be part of our growing network that is passionate about supporting our local economy. Customers are also seeking to decorate a space with original pieces of fine art that cannot be duplicated or found anywhere else. Zola is the Quad Cities’ only industry-standard ecological art gallery, and we believe this will attract a fair amount of clientele. With the growing momentum of the green movement, consumers are thinking twice about what they buy: keeping in mind local economics and sustainable practices as well as global aspects, Zola’s products are readily available for the common consumer. Clients that are seeking creative, collaborative, and sustainable service have a need that can be fulfilled by the design and ecological expertise and experience of the staff of Zola.

Inquiries can be made to Ecoartscouncilqc@aol.com subject line: Zola Gallery.

Green for the Holidays

Green Holiday Tips

Facts at a Glance

“Oh, Christmas tree…”

Artificial trees can consume significant energy and petroleum-based materials during their manufacture.

Today nearly all of the trees sold at seasonal Christmas-tree lots are grown on tree farms. So choosing a cut tree doesn’t hurt forests; however, potted trees and large plants are nice options to cutting down live trees.

Recycling fresh trees after Christmas can make a huge difference in reducing holiday waste. Instead of taking up space in the landfill, trees can be ground into wood chips, which can be used to mulch gardens or parks or to prevent erosion at a local watershed.

According to one U.S. Department of Energy study, if everyone replaced their conventional holiday light strings with LEDs, at least two billion kilowatt-hours of electricity could be saved in a month.

“Give the gift of life…”

By giving gifts that can be “experienced”, like tickets to a concert, baseball game or a certificate for a special “date night”, you can minimize wrapping and still win points and create memories with the receiver.

Give the gift of “You”. Give a gift certificate for your time to child sit, or pet sit. Or you can offer to share your talents, such as photography, financial planning, hairstyling, or a few hours of tutoring. For kiddos you can give them the gift of a “Picnic in the park” date, a camping trip or plant a tree in someone's name. Another creative gift would be to make a family recipe book from the favorites you’ve collected and pictures of the family members the recipes come from. Creating a personal scrapbook for a loved on or even making a calendar for the coming year using your own photographs is a nice personal gift that will also serve as a memory keeper.

When purchasing gifts from mainstream stores, buy ones that are durable; not over-packaged; and are energy efficient. If the gift requires batteries, use rechargeable batteries. Try not to buy products made of tropical woods like teak, rosewood, or mahogany. You can give gifts that are unpackaged or minimally packaged, without unnecessary plastic wrap or cardboard backing and give gifts that carry long-term warranties that are repairable.

Be Eco-Friendly This Holiday Season!

Eco-Friendly Holidays

“True Meaning and True Practices”

Eco Holidays are about consciously choosing to simplify and satisfy while practicing good stewardship. It is about focusing on compassion versus consumption, people verses products, and respect the importance of accountability and it’s precedence over accumulation. Greening your holiday is about reducing the negative impact on the environment and increasing positive impact to your experiences. Our practices during the holidays should be more important than the products received during the holidays. By simplifying what we do and how we do it, we are better able to enjoy the journey of sharing the holidays with loved ones.

Make Your Holiday Ideas Sustainable

A sustainable holiday is one that holds meaning to us as we enjoy and prioritize what is most important to us - be it a spiritual ritual or a tradition and memory making practice.

·         Identify Waste: Seek alternatives to things that cause waste. This includes our money, our time and the impact of the environment.

·         Involve Others: Practice “Creative Collaborative Networking” during the holidays. Engage each other’s resources, energies and talents in preparing for and enjoying the holidays.

Eco-Friendly Gifts: Your Green Gift Giving Guide

Choose eco-friendly gifts that are resourceful, conscientious and creative. They are affordable, unique and giving with thought is more eco responsible and meaningful than trendy.

Scale Down

Ask yourself these questions before shopping for eco-friendly gifts: Whom do you really need to buy for? How much do you really need to spend? Do the presents you're buying have a purpose or meaning? As you ask yourself these questions and commit to scaling down, you will reduce unnecessary spending, waste, stress and feel the satisfaction in simplifying.

Quality, Not Quantity

Quality is more relevant than quantity every time. Avoid buying lots of inexpensive and poorly made items and opt for fewer quality items that will last longer, be useful and hold meaning to the recipient. We need to put more focus on relationships than materialism - meaning over matter.

Buy Local

Search thrift stores, antique stores, craft shows, swap meets, local listings, and seek out one-of-a-kind and locally made eco-friendly gifts. Online auctions and creative stores such as etsy showcases creative artists and works.

Don't Buy New

One man’s trash is another man’s treasure holds true. If you can find gifts that match your loved ones special interests and collections, hobbies and personal pursuits, your gift will have more meaning and used; secondhand, vintage, and antique items can be appropriately given to not only help with waste diversion, but add to your loved one’s treasure box of nostalgia and creative pursuits.

Homemade and Handmade

Green gift giving can be simple and meaningful. Try making homemade food, especially organic and healthy. For those wishing to cut back on unnecessary gift giving and wanting to practice healthy and natural lifestyles, make homemade trail mix, cut fruit bouquets, or give an indoor garden herb kit. Gather family and friends together for the afternoon and cook and prepare holiday trays together. Just be sure to check for allergies or dietary restrictions!

Can you draw, paint, make pottery, sew, crochet or knit, take nice photos, make scrapbooks, darling crafts or share some other talent such as a musical ability through your holiday gift giving? Host a craft night or a holiday talent show and make one-of-a-kind eco-friendly gifts or entertain with creativity as a gift for your friends and family!

Sustainable Materials

Eco-friendly gifts should avoid plastics, polyesters, hardwoods or any other non-sustainable materials. Opt instead for cotton, bamboo, wool, etc. Try to find organic when possible and for non-toxic paints on things.

Give the Gift of Charity

For the real “hard to shop for” person on your list, donate money, plant a tree, or support their favorite church or charitable organization in their name or give a gift certificate to a local garden store, or buy a membership to the local zoo, botanical garden or art museum.

Educate

Green gift giving can include buying things that are green, and buying things that teach green. Perhaps a vegetable gardening book accompanied by a few garden tools and seeds, an air purifying indoor plant accompanied by a book about botany, a nature gift basket with binoculars, a nature journal and an outdoor guide book.

EACQC Meeting

December 8th, 2012 EACQC Meeting

Rock Island Library

3:30 -4:30 pm

Advocacy Events

Here are some links to initiatives that we advocate for and will facilitate here in our Quad City Region. After looking over these sites, please contact us at Ecoartscouncilqc@aol.com and indicate which ones you specifically want to be a part of. If all of them interest you, then wonderful! We will host meetings in order to brainstorm and plan for our associated events. Bring your ideas, enthusiasm, resources and skill sets to the meeting and let’s “DO THIS!” for our communities! The EACQC is the leader in supporting the “Creative Collaborative Networking” philosophy and we encourage you to invite others you know to get involved and to connect with pre-existing groups and organizations to invite them to work with us.

http://americarecyclesday.org/

http://www.publiclandsday.org/

http://nationalgleaningday.org/

http://www.worldfooddayusa.org/

Look what other people are doing: (We can support and plug in, too)…

http://recyclingweek.planetark.org/

http://www.earthhour.org/

http://www.eeweek.org/

http://www.unep.org/wed/

There really are so MANY other things, but we need to focus on the ones that are applicable to our community. If you come across any that you would like to bring to the table for discussion and for possible engagement, feel free! We welcome open discussion, creative brainstorming and are supportive of our like-minded team’s passions and interests!

 The Eco Arts Council Exhibition Requirements

How wonderful to be getting so many inquiries about exhibition opportunities with the EACQC! 

Interested Artists, this is what we need from you, sent to: Ecoartscouncilqc@aol.com

1.) Provide a short Artist Bio about yourself
2.) Please include 5 - 15 samples of your work, in .jpg format. (If you're concerned about online image theft, please include a watermark in your images)
3.) A photo of yourself for promotional purposes
4.) A resume
5.) Any online link where your work is or has been displayed
6.) Any social media links you care to share (Tumblr, twitter, Instagram, Facebook...)
7.) An Artist statement about your current body of work

We types of Artist's is the EACQC seeking to include in our exhibition opportunities?

• Graphic artists and printmakers developing and using non-toxic, non-polluting and new methods that are safer and healthier

• Tapestry and fiber art makers using natural fibers and ecological themes; artists creating installations of environmental interest

• Painters, sculptors and installation artists using organic, natural, sustainable or recycled materials

• Craftsmen and craftswomen working with natural and organic materials.

• Jewelers, enamellers and ceramic artists using non-toxic and sustainable methods

• Photographers exploring nature, pollution and environmental issues; poetry or written works about ecology and the environment

Your Invited to the "Meet and Greet"

“Meet and Greet”

To be hosted by The Eco Arts Council Quad Cities

The EACQC cordially invites community members to meet The Eco Arts Council Founder and Director, Glorie Iaccarino, meet current team members and mingle with Eco-Friendly conscientious community members. The EACQC’s mission is to build awareness and knowledge about the field of environmental arts and how engagement can intersect with community building and environmental activism. The Eco Arts Council of the Quad Cities was created to support Art, Advocacy, Education, and Environment. It supports the promotion of Nature and a natural living lifestyle; addressing environmental issues, and using Art as a gateway to draw awareness to and celebrate our place on Earth, our home, and our relationship to it.

On Monday, November 12^th from 6:30 to 7:30 pm at Greatest Grains in Davenport, Iowa, guests will have the opportunity to learn of current initiatives and programs and to purchase healthy and wholesome food and drinks provided by Greatest Grains. This is a great opportunity to gather with dedicated people who wish to serve in positive community building initiatives and learn a little more about the specific projects and people of the EACQC committed to making the Quad Cities a more Eco-friendly place to live and do business. “The EACQC promotes ‘Creative Collaborative Networking’ and values creativity as a new currency and driving force to accomplishing successful grassroots initiatives in a challenging economy”, says Ms. Iaccarino.

The recent Papergirl project, part of an “Art of Giving” global movement, was initiated by Ms. Iaccarino and brought to the Quad Cities sponsored by the EACQC and the Figge Museum and will return next July in 2013. Artistic participation, exhibition and volunteer opportunities will be discussed. The EACQC recently advocated for an East Moline proclamation in support of National Public Lands Day, September 29^th and EACQC will offer event and volunteer opportunities for that initiative, as well. Other topics and team building recruitment will include categories of Urban Garden Landscaping, Edible Schoolyards, Eco Art Children’s Workshops through a GREENing Schools Program and Eco-Artist opportunities with the EcoArt Salons. The Eco Arts Council’s first EcoArts Salon featured local artist, Meghan Hollister in an outdoor presentation along the Mississippi River in Port Byron and will be on hand to share about her work and salon experience.

 

Personal Story

Vitamin N – Nature Therapy

A personal testimony:

After spending two days in ICU with my son, and confined to the hospital setting, the brief but influential experience made a great impact on me and my dependency of a relationship with Nature. I began to be flooded with exploratory thoughts in regards to my position as the founder and facilitator of the Eco Arts Council and it’s mission and it's relation to the personal thoughts I was feeling from the parent and patient perspective I was witnessing with my child. I intuitively knew that this stay and visit in the hospital was going to serve as more than a medical healing treatment for my son, but also a motivational factor in my professional approach in future goals as an advocate for “Vitamin Nature”. My son’s sickness was not a positive experience, but the silver lining in the situation was that it offered an opportunity to see how I could advocate in making similar experiences of others better with a dose of Vitamin N.

What is Vitamin N? I first of heard of Vitamin N from writings by Richard Louv who is a journalist and author of eight books about the connections between family, nature and community. According to Mr. Louv, It is suggested that Vitamin N (for nature) can improve our physical and mental health as “new research suggests that exposure to natural environments enhances our ability to cope with and recover from stress, illness, and injury. Short, quiet encounters with natural elements can calm us, and help us feel less alone. Nature-based therapies have produced good results in some people, and mental health organizations, particularly in United Kingdom, are beginning to see nature's value as an antidepressant.” As a parent and arts educator, I was very pleased to learn through his writings that becoming “nature smart” can help improve intelligences and creativity through the exposure to the living world, too. Among one of his theories, he believes that our “senses and sensibilities are improved through our direct interaction with nature; and a more natural environment seems to stimulate our ability to pay attention, think clearly, and be more creative. Nature time helps us feel more attuned to the best of life. When else do we use all of our senses at the same time, as we do in nature? Parents and children can become nature smart together.”

Even after one day and evening confined to his room with off white walls, mechanical devices and a clinical atmosphere, I was driven to change his environment in order to foster a more peaceful mental image of his surroundings. From home, I brought an ocean scene poster, which I strategically placed under the flat screen wall television; an environmental based “Whale and Krill” game board to accommodate our ocean theme, and provided coloring books and crayons. The simplicity of nature scenery, induction of color into the décor and creative activity was not only enjoyed by my son but noticed by his accommodating staff.

As I walked through the halls, there were fragment images of artworks and two tree multimedia art works. Viewing the two items were significantly the only two positive, reassuring and comforting scenes family members may seek for a peaceful environment among sanitized conditions of hospitals. I stopped to look at the details- colors, textures, and design; forgetting the stress I was experiencing with my son’s condition. At the end of his visit, he was transferred to the pediatrics wing, were intentionally and noticeably, the walls were bright with yellows and reds- members of the “warm colors” family. Internal room walls had opposite but complimentary calming colors such as aqua. That promoted a more peaceful, relaxing atmosphere as opposed to the previous sterilized conditions and barren white walls.

The simple application of color theory was evident and proved effective in this situation and provided an opportunity for me to share with the nursing staff the artistic philosophy of colors and their mood enhancing effects. My son’s favorite colors are shades of blues and so the aqua was comforting.  The courtyard view from his window with bright green grass reminded him of his favorite pastime of playing outdoors at home. The creative hallway decorations in the pediatric unit diverted his attention and provoked conversation from various photos and pictures festively displayed and served a reminder of our family’s obsession with photography and documenting happy moments. The variety of bright colors resembled decorations of a celebratory nature just like the birthday parties I have given him in the past. As the hospital staff worked to make my son better physically, I was injecting my beliefs on the positive power of an artistic holistic approach that positively enhanced his environment and outlook during his recovery. From this experience, I believe that art should have an active and symbiotic presence with traditional medical approaches to help foster a patient’s recovery in body, mind and spirit.

As a personal thought, and with some public support, an opportunity may blossom from this experience in the form of a volunteer program that can be discussed with the hospital administration. In effect, they would grant us access to their courtyard to host a few public Eco Art sculptures made of natural materials that symbolically showcase a nest – a metaphorical representation of comfort, home and serenity. Or perhaps, a four-seasons tree sculpture in recycled metal materials celebrating the cycle of life, changes, transitions and the universal concept that “There is a season for everything”; a topic of exploration many patients and their families may experience in relation and provoked by issues of health.

As people may experience similar or varied experiences in their involvement and communication with the medical arena and treatments for patient illnesses, it is evident that all need to find comfort, hope and peace, as this is universal truth for all people. Art provides a universal feeling of comfort and combined with the need for nature in our everyday environments (which applies to all humankind) we can find a perfect marriage in combining the two and to provide a positive catalyst for this journey and expression of comfort. Art is communication about what we see and what others see. Art is created and used to extend and expand our shared common visual language. Nature has always provided a visual language and now current research is expanding to prove the physiological and physical health benefits, as well. How naturally, then, that Art and Nature form a wonderful communion with positive assets.

As with Nature, Art functions in a range from simple servitude to powerful contributions. Art conveys an expression of life and life is enriched because of art. Art has existed in and for: storytelling, interpretation, conveying emotion, creating beauty, recording visual data, in social commentary, religious rituals and communication of important events. It is the cliche of “Art from life and life from art” - a harmonious partnership; and as with Nature, artists derive much of their inspiration from Nature and their relationship to it.

My son has recovered from his ordeal, and our lives continue on. But the experience and exploratory thoughts that were a product of our hospital stay has made an imprint on me and surged a creative driving force to address the importance of Vitamin N in our communities and most specifically the medical community. As research based scientists, environmental activists, artists and educators reach out to the medical community, community developers and urban landscapers, we can partner to represent and advocate for Eco Arts and Vitamin N. I hope for a day where medicine, science, art and education will partner to honor Nature as a sanctuary for humans and engage and practice the benefits of nature in our everyday lives.

“Culture strength is in our freedom, and as artists, our strongest art comes out of this freedom. For some, art can be about expressing beauty, political representation, used for self-discovery and healing, or art produced by popularity and demand. Regardless of the finished product and it’s destination, most everyone would agree that in our freedom to create, artists reap the benefits of cultivating, expression, discovery, reflection, challenges, projection and rewards. Every artist has the freedom to show us new ways to see everyday and familiar things in a new interpreted way. The purpose may be to enlighten, provoke, speak in symbolic shorthand to make a statement, or simply to wait upon for the audience to show side effects.”

- Glorie Iaccarino

JOIN THE ECO ARTS REGISTRY!
 
I believe in "Creative Collaborative Networking!" 

As an artist concerned about the environment and as Founder of The Eco Arts Council, I am looking for artists, groups and places interested in being listed on the Eco Arts Registry.

The EACQC and it's registry is offering Eco-Artists an opportunity to have a conversation with the environment and its members by being engaged, accessible,  promoted, and notified of EACQC programming. The EACQC registry will offer people opportunities to connect and in which to celebrate and display the beauty of nature and what it has to offer through creative collaborative networking of services, art shows and salons, Eco festivals and events and employment opportunities.

SEEKING...
Graphic artists and print makers developing and using non-toxic, non-polluting and new methods that are safer and healthier

Tapestry and fiber art makers using natural fibers and ecological themes; artists creating installations of environmental interest

Painters, sculptors and installation artists using organic, natural, sustainable or recycled materials

Craftsmen and craftswomen working with natural and organic materials. Jewelers, enamelers and ceramic artists using non-toxic and sustainable methods

Architects creating ecological and bio-climatic buildings, using solar or other renewable energy sources and designers of all kinds sensitive to the ecological content and consequences of their work

Photographers exploring nature, pollution and environmental issues; poetry or written works about ecology and the environment

Green organizations or sites generally concerned with the values and issues of ecology and the environment

Events, courses and festivals of ecological art

Green places to go, and ecological ways of traveling

CONTACT: Ecoartscouncilqc@aol.com

The EACQC is seeking to create a forum in order to address and discuss the ways that arts and community groups can get on board with assisting the Eco Arts Council in re-imagining a diverse range of urban spaces. Artists, arts administrators, cultural & community leaders and policymakers can share promising approaches, help us identify needs & challenges and assist in developing recommendations for better policies and practices.

Examples included:

 arts programming in outdoor public spaces
 vacant lots and construction sites
 cultural partnerships in public buildings and religious facilities
 o-programmed and managed spaces
 creative re-use of existing properties

If you are interested in being part of a forum contact us ASAP.

Many parents, like myself, have fond memories of playing outside for hours until mom called us in for dinner. Memories of imaginative expeditions, bike rides, sword fights with branches, observing and catching bugs, finding unique rocks to add to our rock collection, collecting nuts and “helicopters”, raking and jumping in leaves and many more wonderful creative and outdoor active play. But today, children are less likely to share similar memories as childhood has moved indoors over the last two decades. It is not surprising then that children today have more tendencies towards being out of shape, tuned out and stressed out and lacking essential developmental and health connections to the natural world.

As parents, it is important that we encourage children to play and learn outside as we once did. The average American child spends six hours a day staring at some sort of electronic screen. Children may innately be interested in nature when very young, but maintaining that interest and developing an appreciation for nature that carries into adulthood and drives them to an Eco-friendly lifestyle is a responsibility and positive opportunity that more parents can learn to adopt. Playing and learning outside is an innate opportunity and expression for children to exercise their bodies and minds; and collectively, as families, nature engaging activities can provide the whole family with healthy and memory-making opportunities.

Children naturally are curious and the scientific exploration and potential for developing creativity outdoors is great and many teachers are discovering that attention spans and educational achievement has improved through more outdoor time and the incorporation of environmental education. Outdoor play increases not only their fitness levels by building healthy bodies and assisting in combating childhood obesity, but time outside also raises levels of Vitamin D which can help in protecting children from future bond problems, heart disease and diabetes. Exposure to natural settings provides reduction in stress levels, enhances social interactions, and offers children an alternative to a hurried lifestyle that can contribute to anxiety and depression. Exposure to environmental based education has assisted students’ performance on tests of their critical thinking skills and schools overall math, reading, writing and listening skills. These aspects alone should be incentive enough to drag the children away from the television, computer and video games!

The initiative of the No Child Left inside Act of 2011 require states to adopt KI-12 education “environmental literacy” plans and as parents and educators we can partner our efforts inside and outside of the classroom in order to increase their nature appreciation and involvement. In the past, tight budgets have lead to curtailed opportunities for environmental education, especially hands-on experimental education outdoors. Until more funding is in place, and as more initiatives are developing, families need to take more active approaches in encouraging children to spend time outside to play and learn.

Call for submissions!

Papergirl SUBMISSION form 2013

Papergirl Quad Cities 2013

To participate in the Quad Cities Papergirl 2013 event, please ensure the artwork you are submitting can be rolled for distribution and that the longest side measures no larger than I metre. You will also need to fill out and sign this form and hand it in with your artwork. We only need you to submit one form, regardless of how many pieces of art you enter.

This form MUST accompany your submission. (We will not be able to use or give away you art unless accompanied by this form.)

First Name:____________ Last Name:______________

Email: ________________ Phone Number: ____________

Full Address: ____________________________________

________________________________________________

# of submissions: ___ Website: _____________________

Email: __________________________________________

You are donating your artwork to PapergirlQuadCities, sponsored by EACQC. Your artwork will be given away spontaneously to the public. Your artwork will not be reserved for or sold to any specific recipient. Papergirl QuadCities and EACQC reserve the right to use works donated in documentation and promotion for the event next year. Photos of your work may be used in program brochures, photo displays, on our website, social media channels and community blogs.

Signature: ____________________  Date: _____________

http://news.iowapublicradio.org/post/papergirl-project-rethinks-street-art#.UA6W_FbOvvw.facebook

'Papergirl' artwork exhibit today at Figge - Quad Cities Online

'Papergirl' artwork exhibit today at Figge - Quad Cities Online

WHAT IS ENVIRONMENTAL ART?

To many, environmental art is products, processes and presentations that help improve our relationship with the natural world. It is a living worldwide movement that is increasingly growing and changing with artists incorporating many terms with "environmental art" as an umbrella term to encompass "eco-art" / "ecological art", "ecoventions", "land art", "earth art", "earthworks", and "art in nature". 

Community is still working through distinguishing between contemporary activist “eco-art” approaches from earlier land and earth art. Communally though we can agree to the practical advice of "re-use, reduce and recycle" concept to serve as inspiration as we look at clarifying and communicating our love language for Nature and it’s inhabitants through whatever types of art forms and it’s intent

Environmental art can be “ephemeral”; matter not intended to be retained or preserved - intended to disappear or transform and designed for a particular space. Other “Eco-art” involves personal or collaborative art between artists and others, (such as scientists, educators or community groups in a distributed ownership manner) made to serve as a more permanent presentation. The form of an eco-artwork is often subservient to or emerges directly from its function.

Environmental art can encompass ecological concerns but is not restricted to. Initially, earlier history of the environmental art movement seemed to be more about art ideas than environmental ones. Another aspect was that art had more to do with activist concerns and art creations, which primarily celebrated an artist's connection with nature using natural materials.

 Some environmental art:

• Informs and interprets nature and its processes, or educates us about environmental problems
• Is concerned with environmental forces and materials, creating artworks affected or powered by wind, water, lightning, even earthquakes
• Re-envisions our relationship to nature, proposing new ways for us to co-exist with our environment
• Reclaims and rededicates damaged environments, restoring ecosystems in artistic and often aesthetic ways 
• Celebrates the aesthetics of nature; be it simplistic or majestic forms, and sometimes embellishes

Terms to understand:

Art: (noun)…the production of something beautiful or extraordinary. (Intransitive verb) …to exist or live.

Ecology: (noun) …the branch of biology dealing with the relationship and interactions between organisms and their environment, including other organisms.

Ecological: characterized by the interdependence of living organisms in an environment. This term is more specific to ecosystems and biological cycles. The term ecological art is less inclusive than environmental art.

Environmental: of or relating to the external conditions or surroundings; "environmental factors" 2: concerned with the ecological effects of altering the environment; "environmental pollution". Environmental art is a more general term, which could include recycled paper and energy policy. Environment can mean anything from "space" to "ecosystems",

Ecovention: (was coined around 1999). The term "Ecovention” refers to ecology and invention in partnership and describes an artist-initiated project that employs an inventive strategy to physically transform a local ecology.

Land Art:

"Land Art" is an older term from the 60's and 70's and more common outside of the United State and has survived in common usage and usually suggests that art is made outdoors on the land. Some Land Art works can be more conceptual and symbolic created by simple lines and geometric forms on the earth by simply walking: where as others believe land art has evolved into environmental art and using broader concepts to include ecosystems and incorporating environmental causes. Land Art addresses more than just a simple space.

Large-scale landscaping artworks are generally created by and in partnership with Architects and Artists with integrity to "Art in nature". Sometimes Land Art involves a wider range of materials including stones, sticks, and plants. Some artists try to achieve an intimate and often eco-friendlier effect by using land and nature as a medium for self-expression or to explore art ideas or simply showcase the beauty of nature.

"Earthworks" and "Earth Art" are widely considered a specific form of "Land Art".

Early “Earth Art” and a majority of “Land Art” are much more about re-shaping and ornamenting landscapes. In the past, some “Land Art” has made an emphasis on astronomical references rather than attention to ecology.

In Summary:

There should be further discussion and analysis as to how much many forms of “environmental art” actually end up benefiting the Earth. We are just scratching at the surface of what’s possible with “environmental art” as not many have even considered art for non- humans and how we can work to heal the relationships with the natural world in a symbiotic manner.

As we cherish former “environmental art” works and projects and strive to create an abundance of new “Eco-Art”, the movement’s diversity has yet to offer more robust and inspiring works and dialogue among artists and environmentalist.

Arts are a way to express the cultural and political voices of our day and by engaging and support more artists in this expression, regardless of the preference and territorialism of artistic terminology where nature and the environment are considered, I think it is agreed that the movement to draw awareness to the environment, celebrate the environment, and support environmental causes which serve to preserve and beautify are agreeably beneficial and an integral part of being inhabitants of this planet.

"Giving something is most fun when you don't expect anything in return."

Papergirl collects all kinds of artwork from anywhere to be bundled up and distributed for free by bicycle. Drawings, photos, stickers, posters-one piece or several copies - it's all up to you! All contributions will be sorted and separated into bundles to be passed out, and each version will be an original!

A display of all the artwork will be held before the deliveries! The location will be announced soon. Anyone who wants to help deliver the art by bicycle can contact us

Deadline to turn in artwork is July 18, 2012!

Mail to: Po Box 634 East Moline, Illinois 61244.

Email us at: EcoartsCouncilqc@aol.com

 Papergirl Quad Cities Street Art Project

“When it comes to art, no one really reinvents the wheel. It simply gets customized. Art forms in itself have specific techniques that can be elaborated on. Certain art methods are skills...

...Artists like scientists, are observant and collect data. The distinguishing factor for artists is their perception and presentation style of interpreting what and how they see something and publicly sharing the introspective change from within that impact them. It is the journey and process they experience and share with others relating how they got to their product that gives uniqueness, creative revelation, and communal reaction, and hopefully engaging acceptance...

...As an artist and community-teaching artist, I believe anyone can learn how to create art and develop his or her creativity. I see a formula: Skill, perception, and product. It is in the perception that passion is born and the product is a gift in which we, as observers, engage... 

...With Papergirl Quad Cities, we are offering opportunities in which to engage“– Glorie Iaccarino.

About the founder and our inspiration

Berlin artist, Aisha Ronniger, had a pet project, PAPERGIRL, and it has been gaining worldwide interest and support. She started the project in 2005 when there was still debate about punishing wheatpasters the same way in which graffiti artists were punished; and although many Berliners saw it as a lesser crime, the police force was intent on cracking down on street art. This caught the attention of this artist and she began brainstorming about new ways to share expression. Ronniger thought about how to distribute art in public spaces and during her contemplation, a friend suggested she should be throwing her art around, like the paperboys in America. This idea sparked a revelation as she concluded that it would be fun and an easy way to distribute a diversity of great works of art on a larger scale. Hence, Papergirl was born!

Many years later, Ronniger and the inspired Papergirls and Paperboys from Berlin are still passionately collecting art and distributing the world wide contributions throughout the their streets. Participants ride their bikes, carrying rolls filled with collections of art, and handing out and even tossing them to lucky catchers on the street, or in their cars, and even other bikers.  People who might not normally be exposed to urban art are receiving a surprising gift and according to many artists, a greatly needed experience in order to birth an appreciation for art and possibly spark advocacy for art and expression.  A Papergirl USA project has launched as well and there are new projects sprouting up in over a dozen cities around the world and more recently our own Quad City area.

In the first year, the founding artist contacted artist friends and colleagues from school. The original core group of artists came from a street art background—people that were used to giving away their art for free and understood the pleasure of it. However, sometimes the word free implies a lesser value in particular cultures so other Papergirl organizers use the verbiage of an Art Gift. As more and more people coming from all over the world want to start a Papergirl project in their hometown too, originators decided they needed to work on a Papergirl World-Blog, to connect these people, and tell them how it works.

Papergirl Q & A’s

A Frequently asked question is, “Which artists contribute their work?”
This unique project is open for everyone! There is no jury process or official rules with limitations. It intends to show a wide range of works. It celebrates the diversity and creativity of people and their expression. Being that Papergirl comes from the streets, it is believed that the recipient decides what he/she likes!

Another question presented was, “What happens if someone asks for the artwork? Do you give it to them, or does it have to be a surprise?”

It should be a surprise as spontaneity heightens the excitement! The actual route of distribution is not even told as to support the surprise element. The unsuspecting people who receive a roll are simply lucky and that is something that cannot be bought. The distributors do not even get a roll. If someone is really interested in the artwork, then he/she can contact the artist through their website or Papergirl. There is am element of surprise as well when recipients take their work home and research online the artist only to pleasantly find out the value of their gifts.

A concerned observer asked, “What if they just throw the art away? Do people who receive the artwork through this event really understand the mission and appreciate the art?”
 
It is risk worth taking, but generally speaking, most people like something for free and we will suggest that they can “Re-gift” the art to someone else and pay it forward. For the most part, it is globally understandable that every culture has its own unique traditions about giving presents. The interesting and unusual aspect about Papergirl is that they give to people that they do not know and we do not ask for anything in return. The concept supports “The Art of Giving” – pleasure in generosity. 

Last Question: “What different ways can people get involved?”

·        Donate art

·        Become a Papergirl/Paperboy deliverer

·        Become a sponsor (host exhibit space, provide t-shirts, help with printing of local artworks and promotional flyers and posters, spread the word and connect with online, etc.)

Everyone has a skill or talent and we will find a way to utilize yours!

”The Success of our first Papergirl Quad Cities event will not be defined by the number of participants or artworks, but in the spirit of engaging our community; the generosity of artists, supporting art appreciation, and in the “Art of Giving” to unsuspecting recipients” – Glorie Iaccarino

PAPERGIRL

FACTS at a GLANCE

Papergirl is a global project that aims to open the art world into the urban streets of everyday life. It is an intervention seeking to surprise people and to heartily upturn the notable predictability of day-to-day life.

Berlin art student Aisha Ronniger began developing the project in 2006, and through her online documentation of the project, unwittingly inspired like-minded folk from around the globe into organizing a Papergirl project in their city.

Papergirl aspires to broaden the public consciousness of both local and global artists, and provide them with a wider, more liberal venue to exhibit their work.

The concept begins with an open call for art, welcoming anyone creatively minded to submit their drawings, paintings, screen prints, photographs, textiles, stickers, poems… anything that can be rolled up and transported with ease.

Art is collected, exhibited, and then distributed in mass to an unsuspecting public, via an atmospheric array of exuberant and ravishingly roadworthy enthusiasts on bicycles.

You don’t have to be a girl to be involved in Papergirl. If a blend of bicycles and art speak to you then get in touch to be a part of Quad Cities first Papergirl.

Papergirl is, in short: Participatory, analogue, non-commercial and impulsive.

PaperGirl Quad Cities Event

What is Papergirl?

Papergirl: A Redefinition of Street Art Combining Art, Philanthropy & Bikes

Whether you remember it from your childhood or have simply seen it in the movies, there is a certain charm about the American paperboy delivering the daily news by bicycle. Let’s experience that nostalgic charm once again-Papergirls arise!

The idea behind the Papergirls project is to bring art and the public together in an exciting and innovative way by taking it out of the galleries and into the streets. In the style of the American paperboy, volunteers on bicycles will put into the hands of random everyday people artwork that has been donated by local artists.

This interesting art movement is inspired by a project originated in Berlin and has since grown worldwide to locations that include Glasgow, Istanbul, Moldova, Romania, New York, San Francisco, Portland and Kelowna. Papergirls made its Vancouver debut in 2011 and we are excited to be bringing it to our Quad City area for the first time!

Papergirl is an art project that welcomes artists of all ages and abilities to participate by donating their work to the Papergirls Project, sponsored by EACQC (Eco Arts Council Quad Cities). Artwork will be received up until July 18, 2012. Artworks should be small to large poster size and bundled into rolls, to be distributed by a team of volunteer cyclists, to completely unsuspecting strangers! The generosity of our donor artists and the hard work and dedication of volunteers will make the Art of Giving Art possible.

The best part about it is that anyone can be a Papergirl; male, female, amateur, budding, hobbyist, doodler, professional artists are welcome to participate! We hope to see your work this year!

How to Become a Papergirl!

Come one! Come all! Whether you are a girl or a guy, a professional or a novice, the Papergirl project needs YOU! People donate pieces of original artwork, and you can donate as many as they like!

The artwork can be anything from drawings, digital art, photography, prints, and sketches to poetry. All art is then put together and distributed from the Illinois side to the Iowa Side along the Mississippi river towns.

Papergirl Quad Cities is currently accepting original artwork for submission. Art must be flexible (it will be rolled), and the shortest side must be smaller then 1m. Art will never be sold, you may enter as many pieces as you like.

Here is how to enter:
Mail your art to EACQC

C/O Ms. Iaccarino

PO Box 634

East Moline, Illinois 61244

DEADLINE: July 18th, 2012

You know all those amazing images you have sitting on your computer from your travels or those sketches you have piling up under your bed? Those are PERFECT for Papergirl so think about donating them: )
 
*Please be sure to include a signed copy of our submission form. Contact our email address and we will email one to you.

(We will not be able to exhibit, use or give away your art unless accompanied by this form.)

Interested in being a bicycle delivery person? Contact us at EcoArtsCouncilQC@aol.com

 

Papergirl paper-route: Shhhh! We're not saying just yet!

EACQC...

Supports the Quad Cities as a place of creative and celebratory environments in which encouragement is given to innovative events, participatory arts projects and a destination for artist residencies - for advocating, demonstrating and creating works that celebrate the Midwest Region and Mississippi area life and environmental issues of our home in the Quad Cities area. It is the belief of the EACQC that people sense of identity, attachment and sustainability to their hometown can be improved with these provisions.

Being born and raised in and around the Quad City area, I have had the privilege of enjoying the Mississippi riverfront,  serene countrysides,   storybook farms, and recently, cultural and artistic effectiveness. Just in the last twenty years alone, the improvement and development of galleries, museums, art festivals and non-profit creative arts and cultural organizations has more than doubled. I have witnessed the birth of this Midwest region evolving into a tourist destination site with multimedia art forms in aesthetic beautification, offering nationally recognized entertainment, and providing creative high standards in alternative arts education through non-traditional outlets. 

As an adolescent, I spent many days dreaming of leaving my home front to pursue grander endeavors in larger communities, but have reconciled that old dream and invested in my community to help create and support a community I could brag about and feel proud to raise a family in. Over the course of twenty two years, I founded and directed "Gaia Gemma Productions"; a not-for-profit fine and performing arts organization, founded and served as an education coordinator of "The Mobile Art Clinic"; a traveling creative arts educational program celebrating cultural appreciation, self-esteem building and traditional and literary arts, served on the Iowa Sesquicentennial Commission and assisted in contracting and promoting our regions best musicians, founded and advocated for "Earth Corner" an in-school environmental awareness campaign, founded "The Quad City Girl Power! Club" in celebration and collaboration with the National Campaign, and many other involvements with "Art with Mr. I" a public television on-air art lessons show, contributing editor for an environmental column in the local Families First Magazine...Point being, if I saw a need, I addressed it. If there was a worthy cause, I supported it. If there was a talent worth acknowledging, I exhorted it. 

The Quad Cities remains to be my home, and I am proud to be a part of the Eco Arts Council of the Quad Cities. It will be with great passion and pleasure that I support the mission of the EACQC and I look forward to working with friends of the community and meeting new creative and environmentally conscious individuals!

Welcome! What is Eco-Art?

Welcome to my Eco-Arts Blog! I am so excited to be a part of the Eco Arts Council of the Quad Cities (EACQC) and share our passion for the Arts and the Environment. 

ARTCOLOGY

“Eco-Art:” Creating Environmentally-Friendly Art

The term environmental art can be used generally to refer to art dealing with ecological issues and/or the natural, such as the formal, the political, the historical, and or also the social context.

Environmentally friendly art, or ‘Eco-art,’ has been gaining popularity since the mid 1990’s among professional multimedia artists because of people’s new awareness and sensitivity to one of the largest, political issues in our world today. Eco Art is also a way for young budding artists and students to exercise advocacy and community service skills and create works that have greater meaning beyond personal self-expression.

There is new era in art  and its birth began with the mission to not only celebrate our planet but also to use art as an advocacy tool. This new genre of art meets at the intersection of Politics and Culture - where environmental concerns are on the rise and expressed on canvas and beyond; including the land itself. Many artists are interested in collaborating with a number of local organizations for the purpose of creating a range of projects designed to illustrate how artists and citizens from a broad spectrum of disciplines can work together and significantly celebrate, improve, and restore the local ecosystem.    
        
Eco-art Pedagogy as Eco-art Practice: At the heart of Eco-art practice is the desire to educate. One goal is to teach others to consider not only depicting the landscape and its inhabitants, but to engage in it as well. Community Eco-Artists should seek to be the expression of a community's personality - a communicator and facilitator of engaging its citizens in sharing of environmental concerns, opinions, reflections, reactions, questions and directions. The EACQC hopes continue to function long into the future as a sustainable entity for the support and promotion of Eco-artists as educators and in their personal work.