4th Annual Eco Arts Week
April 26th – May 3rd, 2025
Multiple Free Events Daily between 10am – 9pm
The DRAW Studio
20 Cedar Street, Kingston, NY
Neighborhood Print Studio
49 Greenkill Avenue, Kingston, NY
- Art Yard Sale
- Upcycling Workshop
- Artist Talk & panel discussion
- Bio-material Explorations
- Studio Sustainability Practice
This year’s theme “Kindness in the Chaos” was inspired by a fallen tree trunk. The intricate textures and patterns on its cross-section reveal the story of its growth—marked by resilience, challenges, and change. Even in its later stages of life, as it decays, the tree continues to nourish new life, contributing to the ecosystem.
In a time of extreme policies, financial uncertainty, and constant change, many people are facing hardships. Yet, despite these struggles, they continue to support one another, offering kindness in difficult moments.
Kindness is a choice. When we choose to reuse, reduce, and recycle within our limited resources, we prioritize the well-being of other people and species over personal convenience. These small actions matter, reminding us that truth, kindness, and beauty are at the heart of a meaningful life.
This year, the MKAD staff and artists from the community have come together to generously donate their time and materials to support the 4th annual Eco Arts Week during this challenging time. Through their work, they offer a strong yet gentle voice—encouraging conscious living, sustainable choices, and a shared commitment to reducing our impact on the environment. Eco Arts Week encourages daily practices that build a healthier planet and a more connected community.
Saturday, April 26, 10am- 4pm
Art Yard Sale
Neighborhood Print Studio
We’re looking for gently used art supplies, tools, fabric, paper, and other creative materials to give them a second life in the hands of fellow artists and crafters!
What We Love to Receive:
- Paints, brushes, canvases, and easels
- Fabric, yarn, and sewing supplies
- Sketchbooks, specialty papers, and cardstock
- Beads, wire, and jewelry-making tools
- Printmaking, sculpture, and mixed media supplies
What We Can’t Accept:
- Single-use plastics or disposable items
- General recyclables (bottles, containers, packaging)
- Broken or unusable materials
- Hazardous or toxic supplies
We want to keep this a treasure trove for makers—not a drop-off spot for difficult-to-dispose-of items. Thank you for donating with intention and helping us create a space filled with inspiration.
Donations accepted at the Neighborhood Print Studio, between noon and 5 pm, Tuesday – Saturday. Deadline for donations is April 24, 2025.
Saturday, April 26, 2pm- 5pm
Upcycled Sewing with Zibby Jahns
The DRAW Studio
In a world where the overconsumption of clothing and textiles harms our intricate ecosystems and clogs massive dump sites, learning to reuse fabrics and sew for yourself is a creative and fun way to be positively impactful. In this workshop, students will learn to work from a pattern and learn to sew on a sewing machine to make their very own tote bag. Fabric is available at the DRAW, but students are encouraged to bring their own fabrics and ideas to class.
Register Here
Zibby Jahns is a multimedia artist whose artwork revolves around reconsidering public space to reckon with loss. Zibby’s current work responds to ecological devastation in the wake of colonial extraction culture. Zibby has been teaching studio art for 20 years, currently at the Rhode Island School of Design, and recently at Amherst College and Wheaton College.
Sunday, April 27, 10am-1pm
Environmental Protection Warrior in Automata with Maxine Leu
The DRAW Studio
Kids and family-friendly workshop! Join us in our treasure hunt for second-hand materials and make movable sculptures with repurposed materials and cardboard. The instructor will introduce you to the basic principles of automata and character design inspired by global warming to create continuous rotations as the input motions, such as moving a stick back and forth, intermittent walking and stopping, or raising their hands up and down.
Register Here
Maxine Leu is an interdisciplinary artist, art educator, and environmentalist from Taiwan. Her work focuses on the environment, communication, and identity. Leu has been promoting several workshops about upcycling and recycling that have been inspired by concerns over global warming, waste production, and other environmental issues.
Sunday, April 27, 2-4pm
Make pigment from Backyard, Lara Giordano
The DRAW Studio
Join us for a hands-on exploration of traditional walnut ink making! While the full process takes time and can’t be completed in a single session, we’ll guide you through each step, using ink at various stages of completion. You’ll also have the chance to experiment with fully finished ink. Each student will take home a recipe and materials to DIY it at home.
Walnut ink has been used for centuries in writing, drawing, and map-making—long before commercial inks existed. Come discover its timeless beauty and versatility!
Register Here
Lara Giordano is an arts advocate, teacher, artist and community member. A retired Kingston High School teacher, she was instrumental in the design and implementation of arts driven interdisciplinary curriculum. MKAD’s Artistic Director and founder of the Dept. of Regional Art Workers (DRAW). She has served on the Board of Women’s Studio Workshop and the City of Kingston Arts Commission.
Monday, April 28, 6pm- 9pm
Zpagetti Magic: Turn Old Shirts into New Creations with Vaea Dang
The DRAW Studio
Join Vaea Dang for a Zpagetti Adventure!
Discover the art of upcycling in this hands-on workshop, where creativity meets sustainability. Together, we’ll explore our connection to the environment and the impact of the textile industry while learning the craft of Zpagetti (Trapilho) — transforming old t-shirts into colorful yarn. You’ll leave with new skills, fresh perspectives, and your very own hand-crocheted round basket. No experience needed — just bring your curiosity and a t-shirt to give a second life!
Register Here
Vaea Dang is an interdisciplinary artist, art educator, and storyteller from Tahiti, French Polynesia. She finds beauty in the unseen, weaving narratives that celebrate the overlooked and the ephemeral. Through diverse media — from sketchbooks to sculpture — she explores new ways to treasure the small, preserving fleeting moments and quiet stories with curiosity and care.
Tuesday, April 29, 6pm-9pm
Recycling Materials for Collagraph Printing with Dilara Miller
Neighborhood Print Studio
Join us in this one day workshop where artist Dilara Miller will guide students on recycling materials to turn into collagraph plates. Collagraphs are a type of printmaking method where you can cut and dry point into a surface to gain an intaglio like print. Students will be guided on transforming old cartons, juice boxes, etc. into wipeable plates for dimensional prints. Students will be guided on preparing their matrix, techniques on building textures and etching their surface, inking their plate and finally printing their pieces. This is a great method for those that want to recycle old packaging for collagraph prints!
*Workshop cover photo credit: Collagraph by Alex Bridges
Register Here
Dilara Miller is an interdisciplinary artist based between Mersin, Turkey and the Hudson Valley, New York who received her BFA from The University of Colorado, Boulder and her MFA from Northern Illinois University with an emphasis in printmaking and ceramic methods. Dilara’s work critiques and reflects on the social/cultural effects of being a Turkish/American Muslim woman in today’s society.
Wednesday, April 30, 6pm-9pm
Tetrapak Printmaking with Beth Humphrey
Neighborhood Print Studio
This workshop will encourage people to think about our connection to our environment. Participants will be introduced to the “6 R’s,” a list of eco-friendly tips that touch upon issues of environmental waste. Following this, students will learn Intaglio and monotype printmaking techniques that will allow them to imprint the shapes and textures of their Tetra Pak onto paper.
Register Here
Beth studied printmaking at Minneapolis College of Art and Design and surface design at Oregon College of Art and Craft. Beth co-founded Art Lab, an arts nonprofit based in the Hudson Valley, and was the Education Curator for the Woodstock Artists Association and Museum. She is currently the Youth Workforce Director at the DRAW.
Thursday, May 1, 4-6pm
Panel Discussion: Water, Plants and Us led by MKAD’s Youth Workforce
The DRAW Studio
The Eco Arts Week curator and MKAD’s Youth Workforce will facilitate a panel discussion between leaders in sustainability and ecology and artists inspired by climate change activism. The panelists will engage in an educational discussion about local water sources and pollution prevention practices surrounding Hudson Valley. The panelists include: Mattew Friday- Associate Professor of Art and Sustainability Fellow at SUNY New Paltz; Sebastian Pillitteri- Riverkeeper Community Science Manager; Catherine Law- Science Teacher at New Paltz High School.
Register Here
Friday, May 2, 2-5pm
Intro to Studio: Eco-Friendly Printmaking Practice at Neighborhood Print Studio with Micah Fornari
Neighborhood Print Studio
At Neighborhood Print Studio, we are dedicated to reducing the environmental impact of printmaking while ensuring a safer, healthier workspace for artists. Traditional printmaking often relied on hazardous chemicals, but we’ve adopted innovative, eco-friendly alternatives to protect both our community and the planet. In this workshop, we’ll introduce what we do in safer Intaglio and Etching, non-toxic Silkscreen, green cleanup alternatives and DIY filtration to protect our drain. We’d like the workshop to be an open discussion that welcomes artists and communities to share the sustainability practices everyone does in their home studio.
Register Here
Micah Fornari is an interdisciplinary artist based in Kingston, NY, with a BFA in Illustration from the Montserrat College of Art. In his practice, he explores concepts such as societal values, identity, and relationships. Micah integrates colorful pop-surrealist aesthetics, with horror and science fiction-inspired visuals. He is currently the studio manager of the Neighborhood Print Studio, and is researching ways to reduce waste and pollution in printmaking.
Saturday, May 3, 10am-1pm
The Green Darkroom: Anthotypes & Sustainable Photography with Kai Navarrete
Neighborhood Print Studio
This workshop introduces you to anthotypes, a chemical-free photography technique that uses natural materials like turmeric, beet, and spinach juice to create light-sensitive emulsions. You’ll learn how to prepare your own emulsions, coat paper with them, and expose images to sunlight using stencils and negatives. The process is simple yet offers endless creative possibilities for anyone interested in exploring art with a sustainable approach. The workshop includes demonstrations and hands-on practice, with time to experiment with different techniques and produce unique prints. No prior art experience is needed—just bring your curiosity. All materials are provided, and you’ll leave with a finished print of your own creation.
Register Here
Kai Navarrete is a Kingston-based painter from Guerrero, Mexico, whose work explores the cosmos and the human body through sacred geometry. He creates vibrant paintings using traditional pigment-making techniques with organic earth materials.
Saturday, May 3, 2-5pm
Upcycled Book Making with Amanda Marlowe / ECO ART
Neighborhood Print Studio
A trash art workshop for kids designed to interact with the byproduct of consumption. Fun yet thoughtful experience on sustainability, consumerism, and impermanence. All bits, bobs, and doodads upcycled. Materials supplied, though feel free to bring your recyclables!
Register Here
Amanda Marlowe guides thoughtful art experiences that ask kids life’s big questions. She develops curriculum for nature nonprofits, museums, and businesses in conjunction with local artists. Amanda holds a BSA in Philosophy and Education from Skidmore College and is currently writing a children’s book on death.
