As fall approaches and sunny days grow evermore precious in Rochester, it is a good time to get outside and enjoy the weather. The Memorial Art Gallery’s annual M&T Bank Clothesline Festival offers a great way to spend the weekend of September 8th and 9th outdoors to enjoy the arts. What’s even better is that this year, the Clothesline Festival is going green, with a solar powered water station, Ranger Recycling stations, a bicycle valet, and more!
Clothesline is Rochester’s largest and longest-running fine arts and crafts festival. Guests are welcome to browse and purchase original works of art by over 400 artists from across New York State, enjoy food from some of Rochester’s favorite vendors, engage in free family art activities, visit the museum, and enjoy live entertainment throughout the day. What separates the Clothesline Festival from other displays of fine arts and crafts is that all artists are required to make at least three-quarters of their artwork from materials they have produced themselves and not purchased separately. Artists and their work are reviewed by a jury before being accepted to ensure that this is the case. Many artists at the event create their work by repurposing or recycling materials that would otherwise remain unused or go to waste.
The intriguing ways in which artists are able to find creative uses for materials is quite diverse. Some of the artwork on display this year will include wildlife sculptures chiseled from abandoned driftwood, household furnishings made from unused 19th century ceiling tiles, clothing assembled from old blue jeans, wind chimes crafted from fused wine bottles, ornaments shaped from old spoons, and more. According to Michelle Putnam, Events Manager of MAG, the use of recycled products in artwork is becoming more popular and its practice is evident in the artwork on display.
Aside from the artwork, a deliberate effort was made by organizers this year to reduce the event’s carbon footprint and emphasize sustainable practices. Volunteers will manage eight recycling stations dispersed throughout the location to help reduce the amount of waste sent to a landfill. At these stations, people will have the added option of being able to place biodegradable materials, such as food or napkins, into compostable bags for future compost!
There will also be a solar powered water station at the event provided by Crescent Moon, encouraging people to refill their water bottles. For those who do not have a reusable bottle on their person, there will also be the option of purchasing a new reusable Clothesline cup.
This year for the first time the Clothesline Festival will feature a free bicycle valet, encouraging participants to bike to the event. Even further, coordinators of the event are using compostable materials and recycled paper where possible.
Thank a lot for sharing details.
What a fantastic Festival and the awesome Solar Powered Water Station! 🙂
Great idea, luckily the weather was good.