Fibre, Naturally

A fabulous new show is about to open at the Belconnen Arts Centre marking the International Year of Natural Fibre.

Artists Carol Divall, Janne Goodes, Penelope Lee, Helen Roberts Hill, Susan Peterse and Peter Travis will all be exhibiting. Exhibition opens 6pm Friday 2 October and continues till 18 October. The Belconnen Arts Centre is open 10 - 6pm Tuesday - Sunday.

In conjunction with the exhibition there will be a paper making workshop 8.30 - 12.30 and a book binding workshop 1.00 - 5.00pm Saturday 10 October along with Artist's talks at 3.00 pm Saturday 3 and 17 October. To register for the workshops email susan@oryxpaper.com.au

Rotary Art Exhibition

Rotary Queanbeyan West Club and Art Society Queanbeyan are holding an Outdoor Art and Photographic Outdoor competition, exhibition and sale 19th - 27th September. The event will be held opposite the National Portrait Gallery (same area as Canberra Times Outdoor Art Show).

Celebrate community, spring and sustainability at the Inner North Community Fair

This Sunday 20 Sept 11am-3pm Come and celebrate community, spring and green lifestyle choices at the first Inner North Community Fair on Sunday 20 September from 11am – 3pm at the Banksia St wetlands site in O’Connor (next to the tennis courts). Please see the attached flyers.

The Fair will be powered by solar panels whilst organic waste collected on the day will be composted at the ANU. There will be over a broad range of over 40 exhibits, products and activities on the day.

A wide range of community based organisations will be on hand, including Conservation Volunteers Australia, Molonglo and Ginninderra Catchment Groups, ACT Conservation Council, Inner North SEEchange and the North Side Community Council.

One of the highlights will be a display on the proposed Banksia St wetland hosted by the Department of the Environment, Climate Change, Energy and Water. The wetland has been designed to improve catchment water quality and to increase urban habitat. It will be Canberra’s first retrofitted urban wetland to incorporate an ephemeral section, that dries out in summer. Staff will be on hand to discuss the proposal and the formation of a wetland carer group. The wetland presentation will be powered by Solartec’s solar panels.

There will be plenty on offer for garden lovers. Seeds and Plants Australia and Provincial Landscapes will have a range of locally grown native plants for sale, including wetland species. Canberra Organic Growers will provide advice on producing fresh vegies. For the back garden chook keeper, Uncle Joe’s mobile chook runs demonstrate how breeds like bantams can be incorporated into small gardens. Organic waste generated on the day will be collected and composted using the ANU’s Hot Rot system. Once processed, the compost will be used as a natural soil improver on the shrub beds surrounding the wetland.

Community group, ACTotherwise, will coordinate a clothes swap and encourage attendees to bring along their clean unwanted clothes.
Other stalls of interest include a reptiles and electric car display.

Vicki Parsley will demonstrate indigenous weaving methods using dried reeds whilst local musicians will entertain the crowd. Children will be invited to take part in a community art project, run by a local artist and designer. They will decorate terracotta tiles with images relating to the environment. These tile will be fired and installed into the footpath adjacent to the pond.

There will be a variety of foods for sale including bush food, vegetarian curries and a sausage sizzle.

Event Details
Date: Sunday 20 September 2009
Where: Banksia St, O’Connor
Time: 11am – 3 pm
Cost: Free Entry
Organisers: Inner north SEE Change & Ginninderra Catchment Group

Handmade in Bloom

Switch to Green Conference and Expo this weekend

A busy weekend ahead in Canberra. First we have the Switch to Green Conference and Expo. Lots to see and do!

Drop by the Expo on Friday 11th or Saturday 12th at the National Convention Centre to see the latest green technology and products.

Join the sessions in the green loungefor practical advice and ideas and participate in discussions about how to make Canberra Carbon Neutral.

WHO’S EXHIBITING? From solar panels to sustainable clothing, from organic skin care to electric vehicles, the Switch to Green Expo will showcase the bestin green ideas and products. For a full list of exhibitors, visit the website!

RENEW, REUSE & RECYCLE ART PRIZE Take part in this years Switch to Green Art Prize and have your work displayed. The Art Prizewill be judged by prominent members of the Canberra arts community.

SUSTAINABLE FASHION AT SWITCH TO GREEN Be a part of the Sustainable Fashion clothes swapat the Switch to Green Expo on 11&12 September.Get great ideas from experts, and revamp your wardrobe at the Clothes Swap. For all information about ‘What’s on at the Expo’visit www.switchtogreen.unaa.org.au

EXPERT INSIGHTS! The Switch to Green Conference is a great opportunity to hear from a line up of International and National speakers including:
Achmin Steiner(Executive Director, UN Environment Program),
Robert Hill(Former Ambassador to UN/ Chair of Australian Carbon Trust) and
Melinda Dodson(President, Australian Institute of Architects)

Join the debate for CARBON NEUTRAL CANBERRA Attend this years Switch to Green Conference, and be a part of the lively discussions that will help lead Canberra towards a sustainable future. Gain a greater understanding of the renewable options, energy efficiency, and efficient transport, and help draw the roadmap for a Carbon Neutral Canberra!

Visit www.switchtogreen.unaa.org.au for the programBE

Arts Fiesta 2009 - This Weekend

Opening Times
Friday 4th September 3.30pm - 7.30pm - Official opening 5.00pm
Saturday 5th September 9.00am - 4.00pm

Location
Gold Creek Senior Site - Kelleway Avenue, Nicholls

Entry Fee
Family $10.00
Adult $5.00
Child $2.00