Apr
13
2009
The Green Palette: Art and environment meet on MAIN ST.
The Green Palette: Art and environment meet on MAIN ST.
13 Apr 2009
Fort Worth, Texas—Artists exhibiting at MAIN ST. Fort Worth Arts Festival (MAIN ST.), downtown’s main event presented by Coors Light and produced by Downtown Fort Worth Initiatives, Inc., are showing their color—green—in working with festival producers and The University of Texas at Arlington to promote eco-friendly art and entertainment.
MAIN ST. and UT Arlington, the festival’s environmental resources partner, will give a green thumbs-up to artists whose work or processes are environmentally friendly. Those who make the grade will display a green thumbprint seal in their booths, a proud symbol of their commitment to art in harmony with the environment.
“MAIN ST. has a strong commitment to environmental stewardship, and we’re proud to partner with The University of Texas at Arlington in public education and action on green initiatives,” Richard Ruddell, chairman of this year’s MAIN ST. festival, said.
The green thumb environmental program salutes artists who use earth-friendly techniques, materials or themes in their work, including:
· Non-toxic, non-polluting materials and methods
· Organic, natural, sustainable, reclaimed and/or recycled materials or fibers
· Use of solar or other renewable energy sources during production, transportation or presentation
· Use of digital methodologies in creating artwork
· Applications of ecological themes, including nature, its processes or environmental problems
· Integration of environmental forces, such as creating artwork affected or powered by wind, water, light, etc.
Artists whose work represents the best of art and environment include Richard and Deborah Bloom, who responded to the festival’s green art survey with an enthusiastic, “Yes, I am a green artist!”
“We use organic, natural, sustainable and reclaimed materials exclusively in our work. We also use no toxic sealers of any kind, only beeswax as a coating on some of the pods. We consider our theme ecological,” the Blooms, who will exhibit at Booth 814, said. “A designation as a green artist seems entirely appropriate and we appreciate the attention to this. Way to go!”
Like the Blooms’ creations, UT Arlington’s booth at MAIN ST. is itself a statement in sustainability. Students in the university’s school of interior design created the booth out of materials that are both easy on the earth and on the eye.
The green thumb recognition program and partnership with UT Arlington is the latest addition to an environmental movement at MAIN ST. that began in 2007, when the festival dramatically reduced its carbon and environmental footprint with a major recycling initiative and the introduction of biodegradable plates, cups and utensils in food and beverage service as well as the use of bio-diesel fuels in equipment on site. Use of public and alternative transportation to the festival also is encouraged in partnership with the Fort Worth Transportation Authority, Bicycles, Inc., and the Fort Worth Bicycling Association and promotes better air quality.
UT Arlington also is lending its educational muscle to this year’s Off MAIN! series of lectures and other programming in venues on and off Main St. Catch these sessions at The University of Texas at Arlington’s Fort Worth Center, 1401 Jones St. in downtown Fort Worth, during MAIN ST.
MAIN ST. Fort Worth Arts Festival celebrates its 24th year in 2009 and is presented by Coors Light. Official Sponsors for 2009 are American Airlines, Chase, Sundance Square, Target, Texas Lincoln Mercury Dealers, and XTO Energy. Media Sponsors include CBS 11/TXA 21 and D Magazine as well as radio stations WRR 101.1, Mix 102.9, 102.1 The Edge, 106.1 KISS FM, 95.9 FM The Ranch, Country Legends 92.1, and Lone Star 92.5. Supporting Sponsors include Coca-Cola Bottling Company of North Texas, Dallas/Fort Worth Professional Musicians Association, Fort Worth Transportation Authority, Green Mountain Energy, the Star-Telegram, and The University of Texas at Arlington.
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