Future Foundry, Closing The Loop Programme Finale
Slowing down fast fashion with orange pulp, black beans and tumeric; just one recipe young Dover makers are cooking up to combat climate change.
Closing The Loop is a ten week training programme for young Dovorians to learn about and practise eco-friendly making techniques. This Saturday 11th May 2024 will be their grand finale, to show the world what they’ve learnt and how they’re putting green techniques into practise – and you’re invited to get involved too!
Future Foundry’s project space upstairs at the Charlton Centre will be transformed into a collective exhibition space with displays and workshops for people to try their hand at natural ink making, experimental screen printing and paper making all with sustainable eco-friendly materials. Bring along any preloved clothes you want to upcycle or breathe new life into.
As fashion is one of the biggest climate offenders, some of the group have focused on reversing the trend; there’s a wedding dress made of orange pulp, an entire outfit made from tents discarded at festivals, photographic anthotypes of Dover printed onto fabric using turmeric and waste-free pattern cutting techniques (including food waste dyes, with black beans producing a pale, icy blue).
These entrepreneurial activists will be presenting projects turning unwanted flatpack furniture into bespoke salvaged seating to eco-friendly travel plans exploring the local environment and launching a new cycling club. You can expect self-expressive zines, animation, paper mache sculpture, painting, cooking, murals, installations and even interactive performance art in the form of a conversation cave.
The day will celebrate all of these incredible enterprises with food, music and talks from the Mayor of Dover, Leader of Dover District Council and Future Foundry founder Lisa Oulton.
Closing The Loop’s Finale Event is on Saturday 11th May 2024, 12 – 5pm at The Future Foundry Project Space (upstairs at The Charlton Shopping Centre, 41 High Street, Dover, CT16 1TT)
For hi res imagery, interview requests and further information, please email office@futurefoundry.org.uk, visit futurefoundry.org.uk or social media @future_foundry
Future Foundry’s Closing the Loop visit to Sweeep Kuusakoski.
The ten week programme included visits and talks by Elvis & Kresse, Port of Dover, Sweeep recycling plant, Harun Morrison, Graham Burnett and The Pines Calyx at St Margaret’s Bay.
Future Foundry established their first Closing The Loop programme in 2018. The project has been supported by Arts Council England, Dover Community Association, National Lottery Community Fund and Colyer Fergusson. With special thanks and support from Dover Town Council and Destination Dover.
Originally Posted on Feb 22, 2024
Closing the Loop
New Programme for 16 – 30 years: Charlton Centre, Dover
Develop Creative Skills, Work as an Artist, Protect the Planet
Future Foundry have an exciting new 10-week programme starting on 9th March for young people aged 16 to 30 to explore how creativity and imagination can help make the world a cleaner, greener place.
The programme will offer one day a week of scheduled workshops, talks and visits; one day with a technician to support self-directed making; and one free studio day. They are also providing free studio space for 3 days a week. Attendance on all days isn’t a requirement and anyone at school or uni can just attend the Saturday workshop programme.
They’ve got some really inspiring artists and practitioners lined up to visit Dover. They will visit local sustainability projects, see circular economy principles and practices in action, discover innovative solutions to waste, gain lots of creative skills, work with natural materials, build projects and learn about working as a group.
Future Foundry previously ran this programme in Dover, Sheppey and Gravesend and got a great mix of young people, from those wanting to gain basic creative skills to those interested in climate action, activism, and sustainable business.
Future Foundry have 20 fully funded places, and no experience or qualifications are required, though an interest in creativity, culture or the environment would be beneficial. Beginners are very welcome.
Contact office@futurefoundry.org.uk
or visit website: www.futurefoundry.org.uk
www.futurefoundry.org.uk
