FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECONTACT: Mandy Wilson, 412.465.1637 | mwilson@contemporarycraft.org
CONTEMPORARY CRAFT HOSTS CLIMATE CHANGE FORUM
PITTSBURGH, PA (September 2023) – In conjunction with its new exhibition, Climate Awakening:
Crafting a Sustainable Future, Contemporary Craft is hosting a Climate Awakening Forum on
Saturday, October 14, 9:30 AM – 3:00 PM. The forum will bring together speakers from different
sectors, including nonprofit organizations, business leaders, innovation catalyzers, and visual artists
who promote environmental awareness through collaboration, education, advocacy and innovation.
The forum’s sessions will examine the climate crisis and discuss innovative solutions. There will also
be an optional free tour of the exhibition at 3:00 PM.
The Climate Awakening Forum consists of five sessions. Below is the schedule and list ofpresenters:Schedule
09:30 – 09:50 Check in + Coffee
09:50 – 10:00 Introduction
10:00 – 10:50 Session 1: Carbon Dynamics of Honey Craft
10:50 – 11:40 Session 2: Climate Change, Energy, and Policy in Pennsylvania
11:40 – 12:30 Session 3: Visualizing Environmental Justice (and doing something about it)
12:30 – 13:00 Lunch + Networking
13:00 – 13:50 Session 4: Clothing and Ecosystems: The Healing Potential of a Local Textile System
13:50 – 14:40 Session 5: Living in a Sustainable Studio
14:40 – 15:00 Group Reflection + Survey
15:00 – 15:15 Forum Adjourned + Networking
15:15 – 16:00 (Optional) Climate Awakening Guided Tour
Presenters & Session Descriptions
Session 1: Carbon Dynamics of Honey Craft
Presenter: Christina Joy Neumann, RA LEED AP, Owner + beekeeper, Apoidea Apiary llc
This talk will trace the journeys involved in two radically different honey-making methods; small
batch localized honey versus bulk “industrial" honey produced as secondary income to migratory
commercial crop pollination. The key question we’ll investigate through this talk is how beekeeper
choice in the honey-making process can have a direct impact on both quality of craft and the carbon
footprint.
Session 2: Climate Change, Energy, and Policy in Pennsylvania
Presenter: John Walliser, Senior Vice President, Legal & Government Affairs for the Pennsylvania
Environmental Council (PEC)
This session will examine efforts to advance meaningful climate change decarbonization policies inPennsylvania; reflecting on Pennsylvania’s energy profile, political climate, and other factors.

Session 3: Visualizing Environmental Justice (and doing something about it)
Presenters: Mel Ngami, AIA / GBBN; Becca Simon, Director of Programming / Grounded Strategies;
and Chris Guignon, AIA, LEED AP BD+C / GBBN
Along with their community partner, Grounded Strategies, GBBN will share their successes andstruggles and think about how designers and community organizations can work together to build abetter future.
Session 4: Clothing and Ecosystems: The Healing Potential of a Local Textile System
Presenters: Jess Boeke and Sarah Pottle, Co-founders of Rust Belt Fibershed
Join Jess Boeke and Sarah Pottle, co-founders of Rustbelt Fibershed, in conversation as they
discuss questions about our clothing and more, ultimately focusing on how our clothing and textile
choices have the potential to regenerate our earth, our health, and our local community!
Session 5: Living in a Sustainable Studio
Presenter: Katy DeMent, The Paper Lady & Creative's for Climate
In this session, Katy will talk about her sustainable studio and discuss what it means to be asustainable artitst.
Tickets
Tickets for the Climate Awakening Forum are $20 and include coffee, a lunchbox, and a Climate
Awakening exhibition catalog. Tickets are available at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/climateawakening-forum-tickets-639577301927?aff=oddtdtcreator.
About Contemporary Craft
Presenting contemporary art in craft materials by regional, national, and international artists since1971, Contemporary Craft offers cutting edge exhibitions focusing on multicultural diversity andcontemporary art, as well as a range of artist-led studio workshops, community engagementprograms, and a store featuring work by top artists from across the country. Located at 5645 Butler
Street in Pittsburgh, PA, Contemporary Craft’s exhibitions are free to the public.
Support for Climate Awakening: Crafting a Sustainable Future is provided in part by Cathy Raphael, the National
Endowment for the Arts, McKinney Charitable Foundation through the PNC Charitable Trust Grant Review Committee,
the Lydon Innovation Fund, JENDOCO Construction Corporation, Aesthetic Plastic Surgery of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh
Regional Transit, Seton Hill University, and Breathe Project. General operating support is provided by Allegheny Regional
Asset District, The Heinz Endowments, Opportunity Fund, the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, the Elizabeth R. Raphael
Fund of The Pittsburgh Foundation, Giant Eagle Foundation, Anonymous foundation, and by private donations.