Circular Arts Network (CAN) is thrilled to share our latest collaborative project with the Glasgow International Festival (GI Festival). Together, we’ve tackled one of the major challenges facing arts festivals—waste—by repurposing materials and furniture for reuse by the wider creative community in Glasgow. This initiative highlights the importance of sustainability in the arts and demonstrates the power of community collaboration.
Addressing Festival Waste
Arts festivals are renowned for their creativity and cultural contributions, but they also generate significant waste. From set materials to exhibition furnishings, the aftermath often includes a surplus of items that can easily end up in landfills. Recognizing this issue, CAN partnered with GI Festival to ensure that these materials are given a second life, contributing to the circular economy.
The GI Festival Collaboration
Artist Spotlight: Josie Ko
Among the artists exhibiting at Florence Street was Josie Ko, a long-time collaborator with CAN. Josie is known for her innovative and sustainable art practices, often incorporating found and repurposed materials into her work. Her projects frequently explore themes of identity, environmentalism and community engagement. Josie’s creative vision and commitment to reducing waste aligned perfectly with our goals.
Collab with Gaelgal and Slaghammers
To ensure that the repurposed materials reached those who could benefit most, we coordinated with volunteers from two remarkable community organizations: Gaelgal and Slaghammers.
Gaelgal is a community organization based in Glasgow that focuses on fostering environmental sustainability and community resilience through practical, hands-on projects. Their work includes a range of activities, from community workshops to large-scale environmental projects, all aimed at promoting sustainable practices and community engagement. The materials collected from GI Festival will support Gaelgal’s various initiatives, providing essential resources for their projects and workshops.
Slaghammers is a feminist welding collective that has been a driving force for women, trans, and non-binary people in Glasgow since 2016. Founded with a commitment to inclusivity and skill-sharing, Slaghammers began with limited tools and resources but has grown significantly over the years. They now operate from a newly established metal workshop in the old Barclay Curle shipyard, where they provide accessible metalworking workshops and commission-based projects. Their recent work includes refurbishing their workshop space to make it more accessible and functional.
The Moving Process
With the help of our dedicated volunteers from Gaelgal and Slaghammers, we successfully transported the collected materials to these community organizations. The coordination and teamwork involved in this process were exemplary, showcasing the collective effort required to drive sustainable change. By redistributing these materials, we not only reduced waste but also empowered local creatives to continue their work with high-quality resources.
The Impact
This collaboration between CAN, GI Festival, Josie Ko, Gaelgal, and Slaghammers exemplifies how the arts community can come together to address environmental challenges. By repurposing festival materials, we’ve made significant strides in promoting sustainability and supporting local creativity. The impact of this project extends beyond the immediate benefits of waste reduction—it serves as a model for future initiatives, inspiring other festivals and organizations to adopt similar practices.
Looking Ahead
At CAN, we’re committed to building on this success. We aim to forge more partnerships, expand our network, and continue championing the circular economy in the arts. This collaboration has shown that with the right partners and a shared vision, we can create a more sustainable future for the creative community.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to GI Festival, Josie Ko, Gaelgal, and Slaghammers for their invaluable contributions to this project. Together, we have demonstrated the power of community and the positive impact of sustainable practices in the arts.
Stay connected with CAN for more updates on our projects and initiatives. Let’s continue to support sustainable creativity and make a difference, one repurposed material at a time.
#CircularEconomy #SustainableArt #RepurposeReuse #GIFestival #CommunityCollaboration
For more information on our partners, visit their websites:
- Gaelgal: Gaelgal
- Slaghammers: Slaghammers
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