GFDD Organizes a Recycled Art Workshop in Samaná

Santo Domingo, May 7, 2013

In order to raise public awareness of environmental challenges while promoting protection of the earth and its natural resources, the Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD) and its sister institution in the Dominican Republic, Fundación Global Democracia y Desarrollo (FUNGLODE), in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources have organized a workshop on making art from recycled material. After the workshop there will be a screening of the documentary “Bag It.” The program aims to address one of the biggest environmental challenges facing the Dominican Republic today: the safe and effective elimination of solid waste.

The Recycled Art program will take place on Wednesday May 8 at 4:30 pm in the Café Paris, located on Malecón #6, Santa Bárbara de Samaná. The workshop will be given by the dynamic artist, Bertha Santana, who will start the class with a brief talk followed by a practical arts and crafts project in which she will show participants how to reuse and transform used clothing, such as old shirts and pants, into art. After the program, the documentary, “Bag It” will be shown, courtesy of the DR Environmental Film Festival.

The workshop is part of the R3crearte Program, sponsored by GFDD and FUNGLODE, which seeks to raise public awareness of the three golden rules, or the 3Rs, for the adequate management of solid waste: reduce, reuse and recycle. The workshop aims to demonstrate how recycling and transforming trash or used objects into art can strengthen individuals as well as communities.

The creation of the R3crearte Program was inspired by the enthusiasm of students who participated last year in a workshop given by Bertha Santana called Recycled Art as part of the II DR Environmental Film Festival (DREFF) in 2012. With this new program, the GFDD wants to inspire a new way of relating to trash.

The R3crearte Program reflects the general mission of the DREFF, which consists of interacting with prominent figures in the environmental community as well as having a positive impact on a grassroots level.

About the DR Environmental Film Festival (DREFF)
The goal of the DREFF is to raise awareness and deepen understanding of environmental problems while, at the same time, celebrating the beauty and diversity of the Dominican Republic’s natural heritage. By screening a diverse selection of high quality documentaries about pressing environmental issues and organizing talks with environmental experts, filmmakers and other interested parties, the DREFF seeks to promote dialogue and inspire Dominicans to adopt actions that will ensure the country’s environmental sustainability and good health.

The Festival, which facilitates interaction between young people, scholars, filmmakers, representatives from the public, private and non-governmental sectors and the general population, promotes the creation of programs and projects that contribute to improving environmental protection, conservation and sustainability.

Join us at the III edition of the DR Environmental Film Festival - September 4-8, 2013.

Related links:
www.dreff.org