Richmond Art Center's Upcycle

     You really can't say you've fully enjoyed the Bay Area until you've taken advantage of its unique creative opportunities. This is an area filled with artists, crafters, and visionaries. It's also an area where people look at the everyday and see the fantastic, and their materials matter just as much to them as the things those materials make. When you see all the wonderful creations that give the Bay Area a lot of its character, it's hard to resist the urge to participate in that creation. So why try?  The Richmond Art Center's Upcycle fair is one opportunity to get your hands crafty in an earth friendly and conscientious way. The whole focus of Upcycle, as the name implies, is to reuse materials for art and practical items that are considered trash or leftovers.
     Upcycle is still new (this year was its second go), and already it's run like a years-hardened event. The organization, atmosphere, and layout create a low-stress, high-fun environment. There are many great things about this art and crafting extravaganza, but two of my favorite are that it's free, and it's not just intended for kids. The event is held at the Richmond Art Center, mostly in the inner courtyard, and this year it took place on Saturday, April 12, from 1-4 p.m. Driving is probably best for this event, and parking is available (and also free) on the road and in the Center's parking lot.
     The variety of things to do at Upcycle pretty much guarantees that no one will be bored. Even grownups seemed unable to resist the gleeful cries of their inner child when presented with the opportunity to make something like a drawing robot. I went to the event with a seasoned crafter, and while she put me to shame at many of the booths, I still walked away with something I was proud of. We tried most activities, and though some booths were busy and required people to wait to participate, the wait was worth it. Besides, it was entertaining just watching what everyone chose to make.
     The first activity we did was make screen-printed patches with Joyce Shon and Monica Gyulai. They explained how screen printing works and what to do and then let us apply the ink to our patches. My sister, the crafter, then made a robot that draws by itself at the California 4-H Foundation. The gentleman at the booth taught everyone how to attach markers to a paper cup and to attach the battery pack and rotor to the top of the cup. The table and the nearby ground was covered with paper, so when a robot was finished, it could be set loose on a blank canvas. This was my favorite station. I loved seeing all the robots humming away and imagining the chaos they would happily cause in each creator's home.
     We then made bracelets out of bike inner tubes with Holly Carter. There were numerous examples available to guide one's design, and Carter was generous with advice and instructions. All of the equipment and supplies one could want were available, and we were impressed with everyone's results. There was a young girl next to us who created two bracelets like a pro.
     The final activity we did was make a metal leaf with Ed Lay. He taught us how to fold the metal, cut it, pound the side to elongate it to the shape we wanted, and then fired the metal to make it pliable enough to open and finish. He was able to tailor his instructions to any skill level and age, and everyone seemed to be happy with the result of their work.
     Other activities that were a joy to observe was the creation of a garbage can by Daud Abdullah and visitors using glass shards, glass beads, and other items, the blending of smoothies by stationary bike with Urban Tilth, the weaving of small rugs with Susan Sterling, and the creation of hats with Kiki Rostad. There were many more booths and activities to choose from. While enjoying the activities, we were treated to the otherworldly yet delightful sounds of the Crank Ensemble. They had a variety of what appeared to be hand-crafted instruments that made a music to resonate with one's inner funk and quirk.
     We walked away from this event with a wonderful variety of creations, and everything was free! However, many booths had donation jars to help make up for the materials used.  All of the activities were quick and easy to complete, and visitors of all ages seemed to enjoy them. If you want to participate in a family-friendly event that has a good purpose and teaches valuable lessons, then this is a definite miss-me-not. Check out the Richmond Art Center website to learn more about the booths and performances: http://www.therac.org/html/calendar.html#upcycle.

 

 

 

 

Alameda Earth Day Festival

     Earth Day is not only a reminder that we need to take better care of our environment but is an opportunity to do so on a larger scale than daily recycling.  Most cities in the Bay Area offer neighborhood clean-up efforts, and this year I participated in the Alameda Crab Cove clean-up.  At 8:30 am I, my sister Hilary, and other volunteers gathered at the Crab Cove Visitor's Center to receive instructions along with gloves, buckets, and trash bags.  Spirits were high as children chased each other with garbage claws and adults chatted about weekend plans, and the park naturalist had to stand on a bench to get everyone's attention.  The crowd grew quiet as the park naturalist discussed ways that local pollution impacts the Bay Area, reminding us that plastic washing into the ocean from streams and rivers is swallowed by wildlife and finds its way into the plastic island in the middle of the Pacific.  With this reminder of why the clean-up is important, volunteers ranging from individuals to girl and boy scout troops were eager to get started.  We spread across Washington Park and along the beach to collect trash and admire the local sea birds and animal life.
      My sister and I chose the shoreline and went along a jetty and then down by a dock.  Items we found included plastic containers, drink cups, bottle caps, plastic scraps, and most plentiful of all, cigarette butts.  Most trash was located within a few feet of covered garbage cans.  We were surprised, however, by how clean the park was already, a testament to the hard work of the park personnel.  While we were working, sea birds and ground squirrels came close to investigate and watch our activities.  At one point we stopped to watch a cormorant sunning his wings.  Needless to say, this only provided more incentive to clean up this protected habitat area.
     At 10 am volunteers handed in the trash they had collected and walked to Washington Park to enjoy the Alameda Earth Day Festival.   Here children had the opportunity to see how conservation efforts impact their communities, taste fruit grown locally and organically, and engage in planting and art activities.  For their service volunteers were given a free Chinook Book of Bay Area coupons and a t-shirt, but plenty of free items were also available at the festival for the general public.  For liking Alameda Recreation and Parks Department on Facebook, festival goers received a free t-shirt.  They could also enjoy a healthy snack for making a personal fitness pledge for the coming year. 
     Around thirty vendors handed out fruits, bags, knick knacks, and pamphlets with tips and instructions on living an environmentally-friendly life.  Festival participants could sign pledges to use chemical-free cleaning agents, sign up for air quality alerts and local conservation efforts, and learn about everything from installing solar panels to how energy is created for personal use in Alameda.  Vendors from the Alameda Farmer's Market also attended, offering various kinds of hummus, pita chips, local honey, and organic fruits and vegetables.  A band kept children occupied while pets awaiting adoption from the Friends of the Alameda Animal Shelter played in the shade of the park trees.
    Mother Nature provided beautiful weather for the event, doing her part in reminding everyone to be grateful for our environment.  Sunny skies, high temperatures, and a slight breeze made for a perfect day.  My sister and I left the festivities with a bag full of goodies feeling as though we'd gotten much more than we'd given.  Next year we might choose a more challenging clean-up effort, but in the meantime, we commit to recycling when possible, using environmentally-safe cleaning products, and buying local, organic products.
    If you weren't able to participate in one of the many clean-up opportunities this Earth Day, please make plans to do so next year.  At least go outside and enjoy outdoor activities like playing catch or football, grilling, or kite surfing.  With the increase in volatile weather and natural disasters due to global warming and pollution, we can't afford to neglect or ignore the place we call home.  Show your planet a little love, and she just might let you stay here a little longer.