Through a series of workshops, a Port Alberni artist wants to show residents how they can become more sustainable.
Every Tuesday and Thursday in July, Kalin McDowell will be teaching art and recycling classes for adults, to promote eco-friendly art using materials many might otherwise discard.
Originally from Saskatchewan, McDowell moved out West to pursue a master’s in Archeology at UBC. However, she soon realized that this career choice did not align with her views on nature and the environment.
“Archeology can be destructive to nature ... and I have always been nature-oriented,” McDowell said.
“I have lived in a few big cities over the years, and it is not my thing. So, since moving to Port Alberni, I have been able to connect with nature on a level I’ve never been able to before,” she added.
McDowell enjoys taking photographs and sculpting.
One of her creations is making a rock out of recycled plaster and putting a photograph on top.
She will be teaching how to do this in one of her classes and all the materials will be provided.
“In the first class, we’ll make a canvas out of the plaster and put a collage of wildflowers on top that I printed. People can pick whichever ones they like and make this collage with a personal meaning for them,” she said.
Some of the art classes also include making rock frames and candleholders using custom plaster filled with non-recyclables.
The purpose of the art classes is to change the way people view art made from discarded materials, she said.
“I want to prove that there are so many better ways we can be using waste as raw material rather than as trash.”
Creating sustainable art and educating residents is a passion of McDowell’s who wants people to see how easy it can be if people are given the right tools.
“I wanted to make a fun way for people to learn how to recycle properly, how to live more sustainably ... and what you can do with your waste when you can’t recycle it properly,” McDowell said.
For the educational classes on Thursdays, McDowell will be offering three classes on how to properly recycle in Port Alberni.
The classes will provide information on ways Port Alberni is different than other communities with recycling, tips on how people can make money from recycling and items that can’t be recycled.
“I want to help make it easier for people to find where to go because it can be frustrating ... and when I’m done the whole series, I’m going to put the information out that I collect.”
McDowell will also be teaching people how to become conscious consumerists, especially with companies that advertise greenwashing.
“Greenwashing is when a company says how great they are for the planet, when in reality, they are avoiding all the things that make them horrible for the planet. Just because it says it is green, does not mean that it is,” she explained.
In the future, McDowell hopes she can continue offering these classes and expand to teaching sustainable cooking education classes one day.
All classes will be held at The Grove Art Gallery at 7-5440 Argyle St. at Harbour Quay. The art classes are $50 each with all materials provided and the educational classes are $15 each.
For more information on each class and how to register, visit https://www.therecyclingproject.ca/the-recycling-project/july-classes.
