Making Change Conference Part 2, 29 January 2024: Sustainability & Ceramic Practice

Making Change Conference: Sustainability & Ceramic Practice / Part Two: Ideologies & Frameworks Monday 29 January 2024 Introduces broader sustainability ideologies and frameworks, exploring their premise and application. The session starts with Extinction Rebellion before exploring the Circular Economy, followed by a case study of a UK creative business that has achieved B Corp status. Symposium Welcome Foreword from Leach Pottery Director Libby Buckley. Guest Convenor: Sarah Rothwell, Senior Curator, Modern & Contemporary Design, National Museums Scotland. Presentation 1 - Pat Sharpe: How might groups like Extinction Rebellion support future directions for artists and makers on a suffering planet? This presentation explores the XR’s ethos and aims, and the seriousness of the climate and ecological emergency. It will explore how the cultural future of the making community is closely interwoven with the issues of sustainability and nature-connectedness that XR believe are essential for our survival. Pat Sharpe has been an activist with Extinction Rebellion (XR) since 2019, shortly after they launched their first public protest. Presentation 2 - Mary Michel: Making Circles The Circular Economy is a great practical framework for designers and makers interested in reducing their environmental impact. It offers solutions throughout the creative process, from circular design principles, to sharing tools and materials, to offering take-back or repair services. All of this helps us to reduce waste and to make the most of the resources we already have, thereby reducing the energy usage and environmental degradation that contribute to the Climate Crisis. Mary Michel is the Co-Founder and Director of Ostrero, which works to grow the Circular Economy in Scotland through the process of creative learning. Presentation 3 - Jos Skeates MSc: On being a B Corp Business This paper will explore the use of the B Lab Impact Assessment to identify, track, and learn about improvement opportunities and best practices for a creative business. Jos Skeates MSc is a goldsmith and founder of E.C. One, a B Corp certified, ethical Jewellery business. Having undertaken a traditional apprenticeship, he later studied Jewellery Design at the prestigious Central St. Martins before setting up the contemporary jewellers E.C. One with partner and head buyer Alison Skeates in 1997. Sustainability Books: Meet the Authors A casual post-Conference gathering, hosted by Matt Tyas, to hear from the authors of recent and forthcoming ceramics and sustainability titles. Each author will present on their works, intentions and reflections. Followed by a Q&A session. Yuliya Makliuk: Potters Save the World, 2023 Yuliya is a ceramic artist, activist, and author driven by a passion for addressing the pressing challenges of our time: environmental crises, social injustice, and war through her practice. Kevin Millward: Ceramics A Green Approach: Refining Your Practice (working title) Kevin is the Director (2017) of Clay College Stoke-on-Trent and a Fellow of Staffordshire university (2020). Sara Howard: Circular Ceramics, 2023 Sara is an award-winning ceramic designer and materials researcher, whose practice is focussed on reducing the environmental and societal impacts of ceramic production. Chapters 00:00 Libby Buckley, Leach Pottery Director: Welcome 06:00 Sarah Rothwell: Guest Convenor 11:14 Pat Sharpe: How might groups like Extinction Rebellion support future directions for artists and makers on a suffering planet? 43:15 Sarah Rothwell: Guest Convenor 43:57 Mary Michel: Making Circles 1:01:07 Sarah Rothwell: Guest Convenor 1:01:37 Jos Skeates MSc: On being a B Corp Business 1:30:24 Discussion & Audience Questions 1:42:50 Sustainability Books - Dr Matthew Tyas: Meet the Authors 1:43:58 Sustainability Books: Yuliya Makliuk: Potters Save the World 1:52:03 Sustainability Books: Kevin Millward: Ceramics A Green Approach: Refining Your Practice 2:02:00 Sustainability Books: Sara Howard: Circular Ceramics 2:10:30 Sustainability Books: Discussion/audience Q&A