ALR on Tour: Virginia Festival of The Book

I'm delighted to announce that I will be taking part in this year's Virginia Festival of The Book! The five-day event in Charlottesville starts March 17th and features tons of opportunities to hear from a wide range of authors from all over the state of Virginia. I will be doing a talk called "Visual Literacy" about my Skull-A-Day project/book alongside steampunk author Nick Valentino at 8pm on Wednesday, March 17th at Random Row books. The event is Free and should be a lot of fun. Please stop by and say hi if you're in the area. More details can be found HERE.

Visual Literacy
at the Virginia Festival of The Book
March 17th @ 8pm
Random Row Books
315 West Main Street
Charlottesville, VA
434.326.5501
Free!


image shown: Skullphabet #1

Project Winterfood - December 2 - Richmond, VA

Just a reminder that my Design Rebels students are presenting Project Winterfood, an event promoting local in-season food in Richmond, Virginia. The initial event on December 2nd will feature art, free food samples, live music, a raffle, and more to educate about and promote local, in-season food. The art will continue to be on display from December 4-31st and all profits from the sales will go to support the Central Virginia Foodbank as well as the community space Gallery 5. If you're in the area please come out and show your support...

Project Winterfood is a local food event and art exhibition organized by a group of VCU Graphic Design students. The theme of the event is spinach, apples, and sweet potatoes: all seasonal foods available in Virginia during the Winter.

Event + Art Exhibition
December 2nd, 2009
7-10 PM
1509 West Main Street

Continued Art Exhibition
December 4-31st, 2009
Gallery 5, 200 W. Marshall St.

What is it?
Project Winterfood is a local food resource, art exhibition, and benefit event. Project Winterfood was created by a group of VCU Graphic Design students to help share and preserve the culture of food in our Richmond community. The students who organized the event know how easy, practical, and beneficial it is to utilize local food options. With the help of some community partners, we are excited to share this knowledge with the public.

Project Winterfood will house an art exhibition made up of work that celebrates three winter foods: apples, spinach and sweet potatoes. The artwork has been donated by local artists and will be on sale during the exhibition. All proceeds from the artwork will go to benefit The Central Virginia Food Bank and Gallery 5, a non-profit gallery that supports using the arts to promote positive social action.

At the event, there will be a gathering of partners involved in the Richmond area food community to answer questions and share information about local food options, resources, and benefits. Visitors will be able learn more about how they can easily enjoy food from local farms as well as restaurants that use locally sourced ingredients. The community partners include such local businesses as the Farm to Family Veggie Bus, Dominion Harvest, Savor Cafe, Ipanema Cafe, Rostov’Äôs Coffee & Tea, Ukrop’Äôs, The Byrd House Market, and more to come which will be listed on the website as the project continues.

During the event there will be live fiddle music, sample & tasting booths, and delicious coffee provided by Rostov’Äôs Coffee & Tea. Each visitor will leave with a complimentary take-home brochure designed by Project Winterfood. The brochure will contain information & resources as well as recipes that include the three featured winter foods.

After the event, the artwork will be on display in Gallery 5 throughout the month of December. It can be purchased during that time as well.

Why is it important?
The team at Project Winterfood is passionate about sharing and preserving food culture. It is our mission to share with others in the community how easy, accessible, practical, beneficial, inexpensive, and fun it is to utilize local food options. Project Winterfood is reaching out to everyone’Äî those who already enjoy farm fresh foods and those who have heard the phrase ’Äúeating locally’Äù without getting a chance to learn what it’Äôs really all about.

The Project Winterfood event will present seasonal winter produce in a unique way that creates a memorable, informative, and fun experience.

Who are we?
Project Winterfood is combined of a group of VCU Graphic Design students who are interested in promoting positive change through community service learning. They are part of Noah Scalin’Äôs Design Rebels course striving to make a positive difference as Graphic Designers in the Richmond Community.

For more info visit: ProjectWinterfood.org

Project Winterfood - A Local Food Event

Once a year I teach Design Rebels, a course on socially conscious design that I created for Virginia Commonwealth University's Graphic Design department. As part of the class the students are required to create a real world group project, based on the themes of the class, that reaches into the community beyond the school. This year the class decided to focus on the issue of local, in season food. They're creating an art exhibition called Project Winterfood that will give people in the area a fun way to learn more about what grows in the area in the winter and why it's important to eat locally grown food. Here are the details from their press release:

PROJECT WINTERFOOD

What is it?
Project Winterfood is a local food resource, art exhibition, and benefit event. Project Winterfood was created by a group of VCU Graphic Design students to help share and preserve the culture of food in our Richmond community. The students who organized the event know how easy, practical, and beneficial it is to utilize local food options. With the help of some community partners, we are excited to share this knowledge with the public.

Project Winterfood will house a fascinating art exhibition made up of work that celebrates three winter foods: apples, spinach and sweet potatoes. The artwork has been donated by local artists and will be on sale during the exhibition. All proceeds from the artwork will go to benefit non-profits who are working to make a positive difference in the Richmond community.

At the event, there will be a gathering of partners involved in the Richmond area food community to answer questions and share information about local food options, resources, and benefits. Visitors will be able learn more about how they can easily enjoy food from local farms as well as restaurants that use locally sourced ingredients. The community partners include such local businesses as the Farm to Family Veggie Bus, Dominion Harvest, and many more to come, which will be included on the website as the project comes together.

During the event there will be live fiddle music, sample & tasting booths, and delicious coffee provided by Rostov’Äôs Coffee & Tea. Each visitor will leave with a complimentary take-home brochure designed by Project Winterfood. The brochure will contain information & resources as well as recipes that include the three featured winter foods.

After the event, the artwork will be on display in Gallery 5 throughout the month of December. It can be purchased during that time as well.

Why is it important?
The team at Project Winterfood is passionate about sharing and preserving food culture. It is our mission to share with others in the community how easy, accessible, practical, beneficial, inexpensive, and fun it is to utilize local food options. Project Winterfood is reaching out to everyone’Äî those who already enjoy farm fresh foods and those who have heard the phrase ’Äúeating locally’Äù without getting a chance to learn what it’Äôs really all about.

The Project Winterfood event will present seasonal winter produce in a unique way that creates a memorable, informative, and fun experience.

Event + Art Exhibition
December 2nd, 2009
7-10 PM
1509 West Main Street

Continued Art Exhibition
December 4-31st, 2009
Gallery 5, 200 W. Marshall St.

More information and updates can be found on their website HERE.

The Socially Conscious Geek

I am part of a proposed panel at the 2010 South By Southwest Interactive conference: "The Socially Conscious Geek: Makin' Money While Doin' Good". The conference planners have received over 2,200 proposals for panels and only 300 will be chosen, so as part of the process they're asking people to vote for ones they find interesting. If you you'd like to help make sure that socially conscious design is something that's talked about at the event, please take a moment to sign up and vote for it HERE. Comments on that page are appreciated as well. Thanks!



And of course if you plan to go to SXSW I hope you'll attend (assuming it's chosen). Here are the details:

"The Socially Conscious Geek: Makin' Money While Doin' Good"
with Noah Scalin, Emira Mears, Lauren Bacon, and Leif Utne

Can you make a living as a geek without sacrificing your ideals? Definitely. These pros have carved out a niche working with mission-driven, ethical clients in both the non-profit and for-profit sectors ’Äì and want to show you how to bring your values to work while keeping a roof over your head.

Some questions we'll be answering:

1. What is a socially conscious geek?
2. How can I specialize in socially conscious work and earn a living wage?
3. What are some of the unique opportunities and challenges of specializing in socially conscious work?
4. What is the difference between non-profit and no-profit clients?
5. How do I make the transition from corporate work to working with non-profit and/or mission-driven clients?
6. What is the ’Äútriple bottom line’Äù approach to business?
7. What are some examples of alternative business models that are emerging among socially conscious geeks?
8. How is socially conscious work different than ’Äúgreen’Äù work?
9. What are some examples of clients I might be able to work with as a socially conscious geek?
10. How should I market myself to values-driven clients? Is it different from marketing to corporate clients?

LAUREN BACON & EMIRA MEARS are the co-founders of Raised Eyebrow Web Studio, Inc., a Vancouver-based web consultancy that helps nonprofits, government and progressive businesses communicate more effectively online. They also co-authored The Boss of You, a business guide for independent-minded women entrepreneurs.

LEIF UTNE is the former publisher of Worldchanging.com, an experienced online community builder, and a journalist, activist and social entrepreneur. He is currently VP of Community Development for Zanby, a software company that specializes in supporting online social communities for change. Zanby is used to support The UpTake, a web video community that among other things was heavily involved in documenting the RNC and DNC prior to the 2008 election, and was also engaged in citizen vote monitoring during the election.

ALR on Tour: HausTalk Richmond, VA - May 27

I will be speaking on May 27th at the HausTalk networking event...

Triple Bottom Line Through Design
What is socially conscious Design and what are its benefits?

Wednesday, May 27, 7-9pm
Gallery 5,
200 W. Marshall St.
Richmond, VA

This event is FREE and open to the public (non-designers are encouraged to come). I'll be giving a short talk about the socially conscious business model, and then there will be a group discussion on how to implement it in any field (not just design).

How Conference: Extended Early Bird Deadline!

Hey folks, just another reminder that I will be speaking about making a living as a socially conscious designer at this year's How Design Conference in Austin, Texas. They've kindly extended the Early Bird application deadline to May 1st, so you can still get $100 off your entry fees if you register before then. Details are HERE (and don't forget to mention me on the form if you do sign-up!)

ALR in Austin: Early-Bird Discount

Just a head's up that if you're planning to attend the How Design Conference in Austin, Texas, where I will be speaking this June you can get an "early-bird" $100-off discount by registering by April 1st. Details can be found HERE.

Polar Bears in the U.K.

On January the 26th, 2009, people in London witnessed a rather interesting event : The sculpture of a polar bear on a iceberg floating on the Thames river. This very realistic looking bear was made by 15 different artists who spent 2 months constructing this 6 by 6 meters (20 by 20 ft) structure to raise awareness of melting ice caps but also of the already beginning extinction of Polar bears, one of the first victims of the global warming.

The sculpture is now in Birmingham since February the 6th. They plan on sending it to Glasgow and other cities.

This event was organized by the natural history tv channel : Eden for the launch of their new Fragile Earth Series, presented by Sir David Attenborough.

On the same subject, Polar Bears from Alaska have been added on the endangered species list in the USA (Endangered Species Act (ESA)) because of the destruction of their ecosystem, the ice cap. A half victory for ecologist as this decision is not followed by any other initiatives to fight the global warming. According to scientists, by 2050, 2/3 of the polar bears will disappear if not protected. As others (Sarah Palin) say that the polar bears are not in danger.

Living Simply in Richmond, VA: February 19th

If you are in the Richmond, VA area please consider attending the free community forum Living Simply: Making Green & Just Choices on February 19th, where I will be one of several speakers. Here are the details:

This community event is all about how to live and consume in ecologically and socially conscious ways here in the Richmond area. Please come, and spread the word.

Living Simply: Making Green & Just Choices

Panel discussion followed by networking time
Tuesday, February 19, 7 p.m.
VCU Student Commons Ballroom
Free and open to the public

* Connect with farmers markets, urban gardens, energy alternatives, green
building, natural products, and fair trade opportunities here in Richmond!

* Learn how your buying choices impact community, economic justice, and
the global environment!

Speakers
Karl Bren--Green Visions Consulting, Earthcraft Virginia, social justice
advocate
Noah Scalin--founder of Another Limited Rebellion and Sprout
Azibo Turner--Vanguard Ranch Limited Natural Gourmet Products
..and more

Co-sponsored by the Falls of the James Group of the Sierra Club, the Green
Party, Richmond Peace Education Center, Sierra Student Coalition at VCU.

For more information go to www.rpec.org

Roundtables on Socio-Political Graphics in L.A.

If you're in the Los Angeles area this month you may want to check out the free series of roundtable discussions sponsored by the local student AIGA group in conjunction with the exhibition The Graphic Imperative: International Posters for Peace, Social Justice and the Environment 1965-2005, at the Luckman Fine Arts Complex, on the campus of Cal State L.A.

NOV/8 Conversation w/John Clark, Nancy LeMay + Carol Wells
NOV/15 Conversation w/Eric Lindroth, Tomas Benitez + Garland Kirkpatrick
NOV/29 Conversation w/Rebeca Mendez, Mary Sutton + Zelda Harrison

More details HERE.

Call for Entries: Repressed III socially conscious art

T.O.W.A.R. and Gallery 5 in Richmond, VA are once again looking for socially conscious art submissions for their upcoming exhibition & workshop series Repressed III:

In our contemporary landscape, the irony that we find ourselves immersed in offers little remorse. Political constructs promise to act within the best interest of the people that they serve. We trust them to protect us from insufficient leadership and to be more informed than the general public.

But we know better.

To some degree, we remain conscious of corruption lurking just below the surface. Our sense of social altruism becomes hindered by perceived incapacity. But what resources exist for igniting these socioeconomic changes and how do we utilize them?

For many people, the intellectual realm is both exclusive and censorious. In a culture that is driven by consumerist agenda and billboard declaration, what better way to reach the masses than through the visual landscape of public domain? But is there ever a curiosity as to why most public art is illegal? It isn’Äôt just an eyesore to gentrifiers, business & home owner associations, politicians and tourists.

It's a threat.

The ills of society are being reflected upon by a handful of demonstrators, who do so as visual street poets, permeating our cities' public spaces. These visual landmarks become nodes of free thought. Their philosophies are conveyed in passing. When they are censored, something is robbed from our consciousness.

Others spend their time indoors knowing that their passions are being marginalized; yet they still produce work. Their contributions activate the social evolution of humankind. But without opportunity, these voices become faint whispers. They exist only as the dormant catalysts of revolution. This group of disenfranchised artists/activists know that they must not stop creating because, like sharks, movements must be perpetually in motion or they fade away.

We are asking you to participate in this dialogue as witness and/or dissenter.

In collaboration with T.O.W.A.R., Gallery5 will host Repressed 3, a show dedicated to socially conscious works. This event will take place March 7th, 2008 and will be the precursor to a workshop series. Gallery5 is currently seeking workshop proposals, performers, artists, and volunteers.

Repressed III is being held in conjunction with: The 2008 Southern Graphics Council Conference.

Entry Requirements
1.) All works must be submitted for approval by February 4th. After acceptance, works must be on location by February 26. Space is limited, please submit works early.
2.) Works submitted should contribute socially or philosophically to cultural evolution. Historical propaganda artifacts also accepted.
3.) Artists are responsible for transportation of works. Some exceptions may apply.
4.) Both 2D and 3D works will be accepted.
5.) Works must be matted, mounted and/or framed and ready to be hung, unless intended to be wheatpasted.
6.) All works must be properly labeled with name, date, medium and suggested price.
For those with original multiples there is a space to display and sell prints. Gallery5 will take 35% of these sales to benefit its building, Steamer Company no5, Virginia’Äôs oldest Fire Station.
Please put ’ÄúRepressed’Äù in the subject line of submission emails. gallery5_AT_ gallery5arts.org or info_AT_thereoncewasarebellion.org.

Download the entry packet PDF with submission form HERE.

Gimme Shelter: NYC November 13

New York based animal rights group Rational Animal is having their annual concert, Gimme Shelter: Rock & Rescue NYC, on November 13th. The poster was designed by Andrea Purcigliotti and her partner Tony Barber...who just happens to be the bassist from the Buzzcocks! If last year's line-up is any indication it should be a killer show. Tickets and details should be available on their site in the next few weeks.

Artists As Agents of Social Change Workshops: Starting 7/14 NYC

From Eyebeam 540 W. 21st Street (between 10th & 11th Aves) NYC :

Artists as Agents of Social Change workshop begins this Saturday!
Please join us this summer for a month and a half of actions, activism and public interventions.
Sign up for the Artists as Agents of Social Change package (3 workshops) for $75. All sessions require a reservation.

Part 1 : Learn about the practice of 3 different artists and take part in group actions.

This Saturday, July 14 launches Eyebeam's Artists as Agents of Social Change series, as part of our Summer School program. Participants will have the opportunity to hear how three artists are actively engaging the public and altering spaces with their practice. Adam Bobbette, Steve Lambert and Robert Ransick will present. Following the presentations, Steve Lambert will lead an action out into the streets of NYC.

This day will serve as an opportunity to gain information about and inspiration for the projects that participants will be able to build with the presenters during the following evening clinics:

Part 2 : Choose one evening in this section to develop your own action, with the guidance and support of the artist leading the clinic.

Clinic 1: Tuesday, July 17: 7-10pm
Steve Lambert
Participants will have the opportunity to collectively conjure and plan an action, based on Steve's lo-tech, but engaging interventionist techniques often involving dispensing new and/or altering existing signs, based on anti-advertising strategies.

Clinic 2: Thursday, July 19: 7-10pm
Architectural Interventions in Public Space
Participants will be working with lo-tech and easily accessible materials to create architectural interventions in public space. Our purpose is both research and production. The workshop will be concerned with questions and themes of sustainability and land use. How can we build in public in such a way as to draw attention to these themes and create alternatives? The workshop will draw from 19th century style forays, Sun Ra's Sunology, the nesting habits of certain types of blackbirds and weaver birds and the architectural practices of barnacles and parasites.

Clinic 3: Tuesday, July 24: 7-10pm
neuroTransmitter
Exploring the art of radio and broadcast for the purpose of public interventions. Learn how to use neuroTransmitter's com_muni_port (currently on view in Eyebeam's exhibition, Source Code), a self-contained backpack transmitter for short range radio broadcasting, for disseminating information and engaging public participation.

Participants in the three clinics will bring their actions to the streets and present their ideas and experiences in a public event on Saturday, July 28 @ 1pm.

Part 3: Bring your action to the streets.
Saturday, July 28
1:00 - 6:00 PM

The conclusion of Summer School and Eyebeam's Digital Day Camp program. Participants in both programs will present their ideas for participatory projects, and work with members of the public to bring their actions to the streets.

To sign up for workshops, please email bookstore _ AT _ eyebeam.org

Thanks Mica!

Activist Designer Roundtable: 7/17 Oakland, CA

This just in from the folks at Design Action Collective:

We're finally able to follow up on the highly successful 2004 Designs on Democracy conference! If you were there, you will remember what a great information exchange and relationship building opportunity that big get-together was. Ever since, we've been trying to foment other, more ground-up ways of recapturing that experience, and further developing it into an on-going exchange that will benefit the Movement for the long-term.

The format: A monthly series of presentations and facilitated round-table discussions on topics of interest to activist designers.

The goal: To strengthen our ability to provide the social justice movement with effective graphic design, visual communications and other advertising services. Recognizing that we play a vital role in countering the propaganda of the right, we want to foster communication, sharing and collaboration between like-minded activist-designers (and eliminate/reduce competition).

The Topics: These could range from the specific ("what is your logo design process") to the broad and political ("The role of political posters for the MySpace generation"). Participant interest will determine topics.

The location: The new Eastside Arts Alliance building
2277 International Blvd. Oakland, CA 94606

The first DoD Roundtable will be held on Tuesday, July 17, 2007. 6:30 - 9 pm. "Progressive Communications in Design, Part I"
We will decide on a topic for this and a couple subsequent round-tables at this first meeting with your input.

Subsequent Roundtables will be on the 2nd Tuesday of each month for the rest of 2007.

What to bring: Your ideas. And if possible, a snack or beverage to share (but more important you come).


Designs on Democracy

ps. Please RSVP if you're planning to come or if you're interested in future sessions!!

Nadia Khastagir
nadia _ AT _ designaction.org