Waste to Wonder 2024 Initiative

Join us for a day dedicated to celebrating and exploring the transformative power of sustainability and creativity at the Waste to Wonder 2024 Initiative event. Hosted by Ecosphere Organics in partnership with Make Food Not Waste during Detroit Month of Design in September, this event brings together artists, community members, and sustainability advocates to engage with the circular economy through art and innovation. The event will feature 2 interconnected events, each designed to inspire, educate, and foster community engagement around the theme of turning food waste into artistic and functional treasures.

There will be 2 events; (1) a public gallery and showcase on September 24, 2024 from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM, featuring interactive installations and talks on sustainability, where attendees can engage with the artworks, learn about the work being done to reduce food waste, view demos from our partners, and mingle with those working to reduce food waste, and (2) Eco-Innovators Workshop*, where participants will transform food waste into sustainable raw materials and learn how to create both artistic and functional products. This event not only highlights the innovative reuse of materials but also fosters community engagement in promoting a sustainable future.

Event Registration:

  • Public Event - September 24, 2024 (RSVP Link)
  • *Workshop (TBD)

Get Involved

Participating Artists

Transforming sustainable materials into powerful expressions of creativity, innovation, and sustainability.
Trel Frazier
@FollowTheTrel
Trel Frazier - @followthetrel
Amanda Koss - @amandakossart
Amanda Koss - @amandakossart
Heather Miller - @hmillerink
Heather Miller - @hmillerink
Halima Salah - @gothlime
Halima Salah - @gothlime
Maro Kariya - @otodojo
Maro Kariya - @otodojo
Gabryelle Giddens - @everythingisabstract
Gabryelle Giddens - @everythingisabstract
Jessica Page - @lunarspiritcollective
Jessica Page - @lunarspiritcollective
Isyss Christerfield - @i.christerfield
Isyss Christerfield - @i.christerfield
Jennifer Mones - @senomneart
Jennifer Mones - @senomneart
Chase Dearring - @artbychasedearring
Chase Dearring - @artbychasedearring
Girl Scouts of Southeastern MI - @gssem
Girl Scouts of Southeastern MI - @gssem

Participating Restaurants and Organizations

Contributing to a sustainable future by supplying repurposable organic waste.
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Santuary Farms Color
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Speakers

Leading transformative efforts by bridging sustainability and collaboration to create impactful solutions for a greener future.
Fireside Chat: ARTISTICS INNOVATIONS IN SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS

Exploration of innovative materials derived from organic waste. The artistic process behind creating sustainable art and design pieces. Future trends in sustainable materials and their potential impact on the design industry.

Melanie McClintock - Chair of Color and Materials Design Graduate Program, College for Creative Studies
Melanie McClintock - Chair of Color and Materials Design Graduate Program, College for Creative Studies
Amanda Koss - Artist and Curator, Abstract Expressionist
Amanda Koss - Artist and Curator, Abstract Expressionist
Panel Discussion: REIMAGINING WASTE: THE INTERSECTION OF ART, DESIGN, AND POLICY

Investigating how collaborative efforts between artists, designers, and policymakers can lead to more effective and engaging food waste reduction initiatives.

Ian Lambert - Dean of Graduate Studies and Research, CCS
Ian Lambert - Dean of Graduate Studies and Research, CCS
Tepfirah Rushdan - Sustainability Director, City of Detroit
Tepfirah Rushdan - Sustainability Director, City of Detroit
Angela Fox - Sustainability Manager, City of Royal Oak
Angela Fox - Sustainability Manager, City of Royal Oak
Parker Jean -  Co-Founder & Operations Director, Sanctuary Farms
Parker Jean - Co-Founder & Operations Director, Sanctuary Farms
Matthew Naud - Board Member, Make Food Not Waste & Senior Consultant, RRS
Matthew Naud - Board Member, Make Food Not Waste & Senior Consultant, RRS
Brittanie Dabney - CEO and co-Founder, Ecosphere Organics
Brittanie Dabney - CEO and co-Founder, Ecosphere Organics

Event Sponsors & Partners

Thank you to our event sponsors & partners for supporting sustainability in art and design, and providing resources to make this event possible!
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