E-ART 4° Newsletter – Art Labs Edition
Co-creating a Sustainable Future Through Art
🌍 Across Europe: The E-ART Labs Journey
Over the past months, the E-ART Labs have come to life across Italy, Spain, Greece, Sweden, Bulgaria — and soon Ireland — bringing together artists, creatives, and local communities to co-create, learn, and experiment with sustainable artistic practices.
The E-ART Project is dedicated to: fostering sustainable and low-impact materials in contemporary art; raising awareness of climate change within the art sector and among the public; developing training, residencies, and local art labs focused on eco-art practices; creating a curriculum and digital platform on sustainable art; building a community of artists engaged in environmental responsibility.
🇮🇹 ITALY – ECO ART LAB at Spazio Y, Rome, by Materahub
In the vibrant Quadraro district of Rome, Spazio Y hosted five days of workshops open to young artists and the local community.
Participants explored low-impact art practices, material reuse, and the intersection between art and activism. Together, they co-created a collective artwork — a coral opera — presented during Sovescio Fest, a local festival dedicated to sustainability.
“It was a process of reflection, sharing, and stitching a sustainable future together.”
Focus: reuse of materials, art for social change, community co-creation.
🇬🇷 GREECE – ART LAB in Thessaloniki by Cube
Hosted by Cube, the Thessaloniki Art Lab invited artists to explore the connection between art, nature, and sustainability.
Through theory and hands-on sessions, participants worked with recycled and upcycled materials, mainly paper, and traditional craft techniques, with a focus on the origami technique and other mixed paper techniques, reimagined for contemporary practice. The result was a collective installation, comprising 10 craftworks that promote sustainability, ecological awareness and social engagement.
“We learned to see the environment as a partner in creation.”
Focus: recycled/upcycled materials, mixed paper techniques, traditional knowledge, ecological awareness.
🇪🇸 SPAIN – ART LAB in Barcelona By Espronceda
At Espronceda Institute of Art & Culture in Barcelona, 10 artists engaged in workshops centred on upcycling, material experimentation, and circular design.
They transformed discarded materials into new artistic expressions, rethinking the life cycle of art and embracing circular creativity.
“Art can be born from what we discard — it’s a lesson in beauty and responsibility.”
Focus: circular economy, sustainable innovation, creative reuse.
🇸🇪 SWEDEN – ART LABS in Stockholm, By Intercult
Organised by Intercult, the Swedish Labs took place across Södergården Culture Center and Gallery Assessor, involving 21 artists in two sessions.
Participants experimented with natural pigments, recycled textiles, and eco-friendly binders, combining theory and practice.
The first session culminated in the Södergården Upcycle Fest, where artists showcased their works and explored EU policies on chemicals and sustainability in art.
“We appreciated the freedom to experiment and the cross-disciplinary approach.”
Focus: natural pigments, sustainable education, community engagement.
🇧🇬BULGARIA – ART LABS in Bulgaria By Oecon
In Blagoevgrad, OECON BG organized five creative Saturdays at the Youth Center, led by artist and trainer Tsarimira Georgieva. The Labs introduced participants to sustainable artistic practices through hands-on techniques such as stone flower lace, plastic sculpture, and marbling, using recycled plastic, nylon, and other eco-friendly materials.
The program combined interactive games, presentations on sustainability, group discussions, and a cultural visit to local fashion designer Maria Onteva (MoA), who shared her upcycling practices in contemporary fashion. Each participant created an individual artwork and contributed to a collective installation, later exhibited in the September event “From Waste to Art” at the American University in Bulgaria.
“I never thought plastic could be transformed in such a way — it completely changed how I see waste materials.”
Focus: recycled plastic, eco-art techniques, community learning, exhibition preparation.
🇮🇪IRELAND – ART LABS in By I&F
The Art Lab in Ireland, hosted at De La Salle College, focused on the co-creation of sustainable artworks using clay as a natural and low-impact material. Participants learned and practiced ceramic techniques, particularly the coil technique, with the goal of promoting conscious art and sustainability in the sector. The five-day program combined hands-on workshops with a cultural visit to Rathfarnham Castle for inspiration.
🌱Final TPM in Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria
We are now in Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria, for the final Transnational Project Meeting (TPM) — a moment to celebrate achievements, share lessons learned, and shape the future steps of E-ART together.
🤝 Join the E-ART Community!
Are you an artist interested in sustainability?
Would you like to become part of a European network of eco-artists?
You can now:
🎨 Join our Artists’ Gallery – showcase your work and vision
♻️ Submit your sustainable materials and practices
🌍 Collaborate with us on future labs, residencies, or exhibitions
📩 Contact us at: info@eartproject.eu
Your contribution will help us map sustainable art practices across Europe and grow a community of artists shaping change through creativity.
🔗 Stay Connected
Explore more about the project and its results:
🌐 E-ART Website 📸 eart.eu 📘 https://www.facebook.com/eart.euproject/
