Coming Soon: Reduced, Reused, and Recycled Craft Optimism
On April 24, the Smithsonian Women’s Committee will present Craft Optimism, a climate-conscious craft show featuring artists whose work is produced from reduced, reused, recycled, or upcycled materials.
Alexandria, VA – On April 24, the Smithsonian Women’s Committee will present Craft Optimism, a climate-conscious craft show featuring artists whose work is produced from reduced, reused, recycled, or upcycled materials. This will be SWC’s first virtual, sustainable makers’ market. From Saturday, April 24, 2021, at 9 am to Saturday, May 1, 2021, 11:59 pm, everyone will be able to peruse the market at bidsquare.com.
“We decided to try something new this spring,” says Co-Chair Twig Murray. “Craft Optimism is different from your normal craft show.” Proceeds from Craft Optimism will be awarded in grants for research, education, and conservation projects throughout the 19 museums and the National Zoological Park of the Smithsonian Institution. SWC collaborated on Craft Optimism with Honoring the Future, an organization dedicated to using art to promote positive climate change concepts. Many artists applied to exhibit, submitting an application and personal sustainability statement. The curating committee selected 100 artists to feature in Craft Optimism.
In this exhibit, you will find artists and artwork ranging from light fixtures made from recycled glass, to jewelry designed out of plastic trimmings, and furniture crafted from propane tanks.
“These are things you haven’t seen before,” Murray says. “Sustainability, affordability, and climate-consciousness is so important now. As is the diversity of our artists.”
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