SUSTAINABILITY
Exploring Sustainability Across the Arts (ESA) is an ongoing initiative that aims to explore sustainable alternatives to vinyl exhibition signage, along with perspectives on sustainability across the arts.
Project mission
According to Western University’s Centre for Sustainable Curating, vinyl PVC lettering is commonly used for exhibition signage for its affordability and professional look. However, PVC is a highly toxic plastic that does not biodegrade and has a lifespan of at least 1000 years, and as a result this plastic becomes toxic waste.
Through a series of hands-on workshops, in-gallery experiments, collaborations with artists and conversations with others working on similar ideas, the FOFA Gallery is developping and documenting alternative materials and techniques for creating gallery signage.
We compiled our findings from the past year into a free bilingual (French/English) toolkit that showcases sustainable signage options that can be applied to a variety of arts and cultural programming contexts. Additionnaly, we offer a publication highlighting a few emerging perspectives on sustainability across the arts.
Publications
Exploring Sustainability Across the Arts: Signage Toolkit
Download toolkit
Exploring Sustainability Across the Arts: Emerging Perspectives
Featuring texts by: Pierina Corzo-Valero, Joé Côté-Rancourt, Caro (Caroline DeFrias), Emem Etti, Jasmine Sihra, and Amanda White
Workshops
Our hands-on workshops are skill-sharing events where artists, researchers, technicians, and makers offer alternatives to PVC vinyl lettering as well as diverse techniques and practices to incorporate sustainability in the arts.
Foraging Plant and Kitchen Waste Dyes Workshop
A two-day workshop with Jessica Brouder
Talks
Through panels, roundtables, and lectures, we aim to spark conversations between arts professionals, local organizations, and emerging artists working on sustainable initiatives and projects.
Demonstration of hand-lettering signage by Lorraine Doucet Sisto for the group exhibition re* by Worlding Public Cultures
Exhibition signage using paper stencil and crushed rocks glued with rice paste for Jess Slipp's with & of (Becoming Rock)
Brainstorming board during the Replacing Vinyl Workshop II that took place in March 23, 2023
Pigment and stencil experimentation during the Replacing Vinyl Workshop II that took place in March 23, 2023
Workshop facilitator Virginie Fillion-Fecteau demonstrating the technique of stencil transfer "chine collée" during the Replacing Vinyl Workshop II that took place in March 23, 2023
Experimenting with stencilling and pigments during the Replacing Vinyl Workshop II that took place in March 23, 2023
Workshop faciitator Virginie Fillion-Fecteau presenting during the Replacing Vinyl Workshop II that took place in March 23, 2023
Former Curator in Sustainability Jasmine Sihra presenting during the Replacing Vinyl Workshop I that took place in March 22, 2023
Experimenting with a Vinyl Cutter during the Replacing Vinyl Workshop I that took place in March 22, 2023 in collaboration with 4th Space
Lecture by Kirsty Robertson on March 13, 2025 in collaboration with the Grantham Foundation
Since September 2024, Josh Jensen and Joé Côté-Rancourt have been leading this initiave as Co-Curators in Sustainability and Engagement. For more information or consultation, please contact eco.fofagallery@concordia.ca
The project was initiated in 2021 by former Gallery Director Nicole Burisch, with support from team members Geneviève Wallen, María Andreína Escalona De Abreu, and Pierina Corzo-Valero. The first year of the project was led by Jasmine Sihra, Curator of Sustainability and Engagement.
This project receives the ongoing support from: the Canada Council for the Arts; Concordia University’s Centre for Creative Reuse (CUCCR); the Centre for Sustainable Curating at Western University; and the Sustainability Action Fund.
