THE INTERNATIONAL PLASTIC QUILT PROJECT #E82010 is ON - and you may join anytime between now and October 17th, 2010! With connections being made to other groups and events, such as Willamette Riverkeeper, and individuals around the world concerned about the issue of plastic in our environment, this is sure to be an exciting time to go plastic-free and contribute your quilt patch to the project in solidarity with others. Works collected at the end of October will be displayed as part of the First Thursday events in Portland, Oregon's Pearl District. Join this growing list of individuals, groups and organizations now!

The International Plastic Quilt Project + Plastic-Free Challenge in Five Easy Steps

1. Begin by deciding if you'll do the Challenge, Make a Square for the Quilt Project or both! Fill out this form, then submit a $10-20 ($5/person for groups) suggested donation to cover the basic costs of this program. This is how you will stay in the loop and receive info on where to deliver your piece. Get inspired and watch the slide show above.

2. Avoid buying items that involve single-use plastic for at least a week anytime between now and 10/17/2010, including: to-go coffee lids, plastic cups or cutlery, water, prepackaged foods, soap, shampoo, toilet paper, dish soap, laundry soap, utensils...

3. Wash and keep the plastic that you get handed or feel you must buy (or that you get while picking up litter), both to observe your patterns, and as a reminder to find alternatives. Do not trash or recycle plastic during this time.

4. Make your square out of some of this plastic at home or attend the art-making workshop on DATE TBA to get started or put the finishing touches on your square. (See guidelines below.)

5. Deliver or mail your piece by Monday, October 25, 2010, and email (1) the title of the art and (2) your short post-challenge (150-word max.) artist statement here.

Square Guideline Checklist
Sturdy, beautiful, world travel-ready exhibit pieces:
__are very close to 12 inches x 12 inches in size. 
__are woven, crocheted, knitted, sewn, or stapled together. If you use glue, please reinforce with thread. See examples here on Flickr.
__weigh close to one pound or less
__have a base of fabric, plastic, cardboard, or other lightweight material
__do not protrude into the 3^rd dimension more than 2 inches
__have the entrant’s name and title marked clearly on the back.

Return of Artwork:
We would like to keep your square and add it to subsequent project in order to eventually make a large-scale exhibit of these squares. If you want your work returned, please tell us upon delivery and arrange for the return delivery of your artwork.

TIMELINE
·  Application Deadline: September thru October 17, 2010

·  Artists must mail or deliver artwork by October 25, 2010.

·  Official IPQP Opening in Portland: Thursday, November 4, 2010

Good Readin':

Elizabeth Royte, Garbageland: On the Secret Trail of Trash and Bottlemania
Heather Rogers, Gone Tomorrow: The Hidden Life of Trash
Gay Hawkins, The Ethics of Waste