Art and healing on Earth Day

Today's Monday Mosaic features handmade art and craft that utilize found, reclaimed, recycled, upcycled, or similar such materials that were saved from going into a landfill, and were instead turned into something wonderful.
Tote bag by Sharon Fischer of Stray Notions
Sewn paper collage by Jessica Burko
Metallic pendant necklace by Liz Stewart of Lush Beads
Crochet broach by Diane Ivey of Lady Dye Fiber arts & Design

Photo by Lucie Wicker, Rita Jeptoo of Kenya, finishing in 1st for the elite women, photographed at the 2013 Boston Marathon finish line less than two hours before the bombings.

The city of Boston and it's citizens, our city, our neighbors, ourselves, have been through a tremendous amount of turmoil and tragedy during the past seven days. Today marks one week since the devastating bombings at the 2013 Boston Marathon and we are still reeling, still trying to make sense of it all, and still healing many types of wounds. Today is also Earth Day, a day to celebrate life and recognize what we can do together to heal and sustain our world.

Boston Handmade recognizes the duality of these events and we are coming together today for earth friendly and cathartic creativity in Jamaica Plain. Members of Boston Handmade, alongside other local artists, will be leading art and craft activities utilizing recyclables and found objects. This community outreach event is free and open to the public and will encourage creative exploration for people of all ages. We hope that younger participants can learn about valuing resources and how they can make art, toys, and musical instruments out of everyday household objects, and that more mature participants can find the creative process as a means of expression and release during this time of stress and mourning. We hope you can join us:

Earth Day with Boston Handmade
TODAY, Monday, April 22, 2013
10am - 4pm
Jamaica Plain Branch Library
12 Sedgwick Street, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130

"Lap Guitars" made with salvaged shoe boxes

Special gratitude for making this event possible goes to...
The artists who chose to spend this day sharing their vision and inspiring us all to create:
Amy Hitchcock, Bev Feldman, Carol Johnson, Cristina Hurley, Jessica Burko, Lauren Teller, and Stephanie Putland.
The Boston Public Library for providing a welcoming community space.
Harvest Co-op Markets for contributing dry goods that we are using to make percussion instruments.
City Feed and Supply for saving their egg cartons for us to craft with.
Stride Rite for collecting shoe boxes for making "lap guitars" and spirit boxes.