CREATIVITY

I GO WHEREVER MY CREATIVITY TAKES ME!

         Lil' WAYNE

photo by Elizabeth Gordon           Taken at the EnergyXchange in North Carolina

The Methane Gas that brought artists to the mountains.

EnergyXchange is a non profit organization that uses methane gas from   the land fill it sit on. The gas is piped in from the field below. Following are  photo's of two artist in residency. A three year residency is offered by review of a panel of judges.  Artists from all over the USA apply and then a selection process narrows them down to to the selectees. 

 The idea was born of   several   companies that were ecologically concerned, joining  together to find a way to use methane gas that is a by prouduct  in land fills.  The companies decided they wanted to use this energy in a way that would help sustain a community and bring artists into the areas. It has achieved both and been an active agent of change for the community.

Pottery Artist in Residence

 They formulated a  program that would offer  three year residencies to artist that would work on site and teach classes. The program has been very successful. The two artists below are just finishing up their program.  One is buying a house in the area and does  not want to leave the area.  She says the sense of community is so strong among the artists in the area.                              

Potter's Studio sits along side Glass Studio and Plant Nursery Buildings 

Glass blowing studio uses methane gas for hot shop

Glass Art from glass studio

Potter in residence

Finished work in the Potters Studio

A program of growing native plants to be shared in the community is also part of this program.  There are three hot houses that grow native plants.  Some plants are to help farmers whose business revives around growing Christmas trees.  

LANDFILL GAS TO RUN KILNS!? CRAZY SMART!

GREEN ART STUDIO'S? YES, I MEAN GREEN, ECO FRIENDLY KINDA GREEN!!

 EnergyXchange Studio's                  Google

In Western North Carolina there is a unique art studio that is built on a land fill and utilizes the land fill gas for firing its kilns.  The concept seems like science fiction, or the future coming true far sooner than we would believe.  These "crazy out of box thinking" artists have come up with an impossible idea and made it work.

Kiln firing with landfill gases               Google image  

Yancey and Mitchell counties are two of the most rural counties in North Carolina.  There are many areas of note; Penland School of Arts and Craft, Maryland Community College and Mount Mitchell, the highest peak East of the Mississippi River.

from google image

 
There was a landfill in the area that was closed in 1994.  It seemed like a good idea to figure out how to make use of the potential energy so local leaders researched ideas for possible use.  They created the EnergyXchange which is a craft incubator studio that supports development of artists and greenhouses that cultivate endangered flora while using the landfill gas..more on this article.

This article makes one think of all the possibilities that are out there, what else that could be done, it the right leadership, creativity and visionary minds come together. What could be done in your area, how could we re-use our waste, our thrown away products and goods, and how can we use the Earth's energy that would other wise be wasted?  Creative individuals like artists can think and brain storm like no one else, so a partnership with science and engineers would make a winning team would it not?

Joy Tanner   Tea Pot    EnergyXchange Studio's

What are your ideas?  How can we be smarter about energy and support the arts at the same time?  Post your ideas here under comment or send to me at Rabbits5@aol.com and I will post them for you.  Lets come with more solutions like the EnergyXchange!