Eco Trash Couture
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PDX Weather Advisory, AKA April
One of my very favorite words is from Nepal: रङ्गी-चङ्गी; written in letters, raṅgii-caṅgii; and pronounced, rungy-chungy. This fabulous word (which does not have an English equivalent in my opinion) means crazy, multi-colored, splendid, fancy, exciting and fun! It was the design inspiration for one of my newest sculptures, PDX Weather Advisory, created for the Port of Portland which runs the Portland International Airport.
This raṅgii-caṅgii adventure began after listening to a presentation about the PDX Airport’s waste minimization efforts at a meeting about reuse of commercial waste streams. As I listened to Kaileigh Westermann, a Waste Minimization Project Lead from the Port of Portland, I was astounded to learn that the Port has implemented a five-year plan to achieve 90 percent or greater landfill diversion rates at its facilities. Let me repeat that: 90% landfill diversion– that is a TRULY impressive goal! To achieve this, they have an extensive on-site recycling program and provide technical assistance to airport tenants and airlines to reduce waste and recycle a wide variety of materials. Their composting program (unusual for an airport to have!) has diverted over 1,300 tons of food waste from the landfill and they also have a food donation program that has donated 130,000 lbs of food, or 85,000 meals, since its inception in 2013. I also learned that the Port has FOUR other equally impressive sustainability programs!
Next it was my turn to give a presentation to the group about my work. After the meeting, Kaileigh asked if I could help the Port tell the story of their sustainability programs in a creative, eye-catching way for Earth Day. “YES, I’m your gal!” I proclaimed enthusiastically and a dynamic collaboration began. We met many times over the next several months, fleshing out details such as:
April on display at the PDX Airport
- The overall design concept- we settled on a rain gear outfit with five parts (umbrella, hat, scarf, coat and boots) that would each represent one of the Port’s five sustainability programs, and reference Portland’s notoriously wet climate.
- The message – we met with representatives from each of the five sustainability programs (air, water, energy, natural resources and waste minimization) to discuss what message they wanted to convey and the waste materials they generate that I could use in the garment to tell their story.
The day that Kaileigh delivered the materials, she looked at the mix-matched pile of coffee cups, electrical wire, old magazines, invasive dried grass, and parking garage tickets with an overwhelmed expression on her face and said:
“I’m glad you’re the one making this thing, not me!”
“Yes, well that is my specialty!” I said with a confident smile, but internally feeling as befuddled as she looked.
And the uncertainty continued for a week until I said to my partner: “I’m kind of drawing a blank here. How am I going to make a cohesive design with FIVE different elements from such diverse materials?” In a flash of inspiration Nicole said: “Maybe you should lean into the miscellany of the materials and create something that is multi-colored, multi-patterned and multi-textured so that what ties it together is the craziness of each element!” In that moment my favorite word popped into my head and the ideas started to flow! “YES, it will be raṅgii-caṅgii– a crazy, multi-colored, splendid, fancy, exciting and fun extravaganza!”
Thus off we went down the winding path of creating PDX Weather Advisory, AKA April. We choose the name as it has several pertinent meanings:
- The word “weather” references the fact that it is rain gear, AND relates to climate change.
- The word “advisory” in conjunction with weather, refers to a weather term AND implies a warning… which is really the subtext of all my work.
- Her nickname is April though because PDX Weather Advisory does not exactly roll off the tongue, and she was finished in the month of April for Earth Day.
Yes, April needed to be completed by Earth Day. I stated after Valentine’s Day and it took 440 hours to make the sculpture, it was a pretty raṅgii-caṅgii ride! There is no way I could have done it without the help of more than 35 very generous volunteers: people ranging from Port employees, neighbors I had never met before, mothers of high school classmates, and old friends I had not seen in 30 years helped me finish April by Earth Day. We held work parties at the Port, in a local brew pub, at SCRAP (a local reuse center) and my studio. Thanks to each and every one of you– I see your contributions all over this sculpture and it is part of what makes it so special to me!
One of the volunteer work parties
So let me introduce you to April (AKA PDX Weather Advisory):
- RAINCOAT: Representing the Waste Minimization Program, disposable coffee cups cut into iconic Portland images are sewn to the coat and encourage travelers to reuse items such as coffee cups and water bottles.
- UMBRELLA: Representing the Air Quality Program, this umbrella is swirling with parking garage tickets, highlighting their program’s reduction in emissions from idling vehicles.
- HAT: Representing the Natural Resources Program, a hat-collage of insects and wildlife photos cut from old periodicals emphasizes the Port’s various protection programs and mitigation projects.
- SCARF: Representing the Energy Program, scrap electrical wire is woven into a scarf to highlight the clean energy and energy efficiency programs.
- BOOTS: Representing the Water Quality Program, these boots feature Reed Canarygrass, an invasive species that threatens wetlands. The Port works to manage this invasive species on mitigation lands, as well as many others, to support healthy watersheds and water quality.
Detail of the coat, covered with scrap plastic film to provide protection from the rain!
One of the neat things for me about making the raincoat specifically was the connection to Portland in the collaged images. I was born and raised here, but left when I went to college. I returned two years ago and having been away almost 30 years it has been lovely rediscovering my home town. This coat was a surprising way to become reacquainted with the places I knew growing up and that are new to me as well. Cutting out the silhouettes of the Oregon Health and Science buildings called “Pill Hill”, collaging the bumps and shadows on Mt. Hood, and sewing down the Marcum bridge that my sister climbed before it opened in 1970. I found after making this coat that I had a new and surprising intimacy with the details of my beloved City.
When April was completed, she was on display in the Airport and now Port staff is taking her to various events around Portland to inform people about their sustainability programs. She will then become part of an exhibition of about six pieces I will have at Portland Fashion Week in September and then join 20 other of my new works in a major yearlong solo exhibit in the Atlanta Airport in 2017/2018!
Interactive sculpture description
Kaileigh Westermann and the Port’s Corporate Communications, created a fabulous hands-on interactive display to accompany the sculpture. The board has three columns, the first has the materials (attached to Velcro) used to create April; the second has images of the coat, hat, boots, umbrella and scarf; and the third column has the name of each sustainability program on pieces of foam core. People can then match the material with the piece of clothing and the program it represents. It is a great way of engaging people in learning both about the sculpture as well as the airports sustainability programs. However, the story that PDX Weather Advisory tells is just the tip of the iceberg; the Port has many more inspiring sustainability programs! For example in their headquarters located at the Airport, their waste water is recycled through a “Living Machine” made of plants and underground gravel chambers!
Part of what made creating PDX Weather Advisory such a raṅgii-caṅgii experience, was that I had just finished (two days before) another sculpture called “Bella”, and was simultaneously working on a third piece, “Pacifica”, for the Nature Conservancy, also due at the same time. There was literally no way I could have completed these three sculptures in four months if it were not for ALL the people who volunteered their time to help!
I want to give a special thanks to Kaileigh for chauffeuring this project through all of the bureaucratic windy roads that needed to be navigated. To Erin, Grace and Lisa also from the Port for your many contributions, and to Stan Jones, Kaileigh’s boss who said “Go for it!” when she came to him with the initial idea. It was great to work with and get to know all of you, thank you for this wonderful opportunity!
Click here to watch TV coverage of PDX Weather Advisory!
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Information and registration: Upcycled Fashion Workshop
ReDress: Upcycled Style at the Stamford Museum
In September my traveling exhibition, ReDress: Upcycled Style, opened in the Stamford Museum and Nature Center in Stamford, Connecticut. I visited the exhibition to give a presentation and workshop. I also had an unexpectedly empowering experience, but first, a bit about the trip. One of the neat things about the Stamford Museum is that in addition to the museum they have a huge farm with animals. I am excited to have my work there because their mission blends the arts, environmental stewardship and life-long learning.
Stamford Museum and Nature Center
I also found the history of the site to be quite interesting, it was built by a fashion magnate, Henri Bendel. Mr. Bendel made his mark by becoming the first retailer to brand himself. Having registered his own trademark in 1895, he created the now legendary brown and white striped shopping bag and hatbox. Bendel was the first luxury retailer with an upper Fifth Avenue address, and the first to stage a fashion show. This fact was particularly interesting to me since I began creating my sculptures for (recycled) fashion shows, so I feel indebted to his creation of this now ubiquitous event, a fashion show. He was also responsible for bringing Coco Chanel to the United States. He built the large 10,000 square-foot, neo-Tudor mansion as a summer home in 1929 and the Museum moved into the property in 1955. I really enjoyed exploring the house, grounds and beautiful marble sculptures shipped from Italy. I like to think that Henri would have enjoyed my exhibition of couture fashion with a twist!
Check out Justin’s awesome new shoelaces and Amy’s fall scarf!
After a well attended gallery tour and talk, the staff held a beautiful farm-to-table meal that was also a fundraiser for the Museum. Coincidentally, it was my Birthday and I was delighted to have over 50 people sing to me while I blew out the candle on the tallest cupcake I had ever seen! The next day I taught one of my favorite workshops, transforming old T-shirts into new objects. We began by making over 20 dog toys for a local animal shelter, and then the 15 participants created items ranging from shoe strings to scarves and reworked shirts with new style. I was excited that Amy and Justin from the Trashion Fashion Show joined us, they stage “trashion” shows on the East Coast using ballet dancers as models. I also met a wonderful woman who’s family-owned business is interested in sponsoring a new sculpture from me. Thank you to all the Museum staff for hosting me and my traveling exhibition.
Now, back to my unexpected experience: whenever I visit my exhibition at a new museum I always spend a little time with the sculptures making minor repairs, mostly gluing glass back on to the Glass Evening Gown! This time I also worked on the Eco-Flamenco dress which is covered with eco-pledges made by 5,000 people. The Museum invites visitors to take their own eco-pledges and so on a whim, I filled out a pledge card and shared it that night during my gallery talk: “I will ask all of the hotels that I stay in to turn down the temperature in the mini-refrigerators”. This is a pet-peeve of mine because I always find them set on high, and I know that these refrigerators are used a very small percentage of the time they are on. When you think about the millions of hotel rooms around the world with refrigerators, this wastes a tremendous amount of energy which adds carbon to the atmosphere, unnecessarily contributing to climate change. So the day before I checked out of the Holiday Express Inn and Suites in Stamford (notably on the night of the full lunar eclipse and blood moon) I wrote my request on a comment card. By the time I returned home I had honestly forgotten about it until I received a note from the hotel manager saying: “We have shared your comments and feedback with our team and have started implementing (your suggestion) in our guest rooms.”
This was an empowering moment for me, I experienced how truly one small action can make a difference and it confirmed why I encourage people to make these pledges. I have since written to the parent company, InterContinental Hotels Group, to ask them to follow the lead of their hotel in Stamford and make this a policy at all of their properties.
Hotel room refrigerators, unnecessary contributors to climate change
I also did a little sleuthing around on the internet to see if I could find any information on the impact of mini-fridges in hotel rooms, the only thing I found was on www.KeyGreen.com, an organization in Denmark that awards eco-labels to over 2,400 hotels and other sites worldwide. They have their application form posted on-line and I was impressed to see a question asking the applying hotel if they have a policy to TURN OFF refrigerators (and TVs) when rooms are not in use. Not turn down, but turn OFF!
So, the next time you travel you might want to use this site, www.bookdifferent.com, to find a hotel that has a smaller carbon footprint. And if you encounter a refrigerator in your room, turn it to low (or off if you want to be radical) and leave a comment card for the hotel. And if they respond, please let me know!
Eco-Flamenco
5,000 people helped create this passionate dress!
Cereal boxes painted with recycled paint have been transformed into cascades of ruffles that contain over 5,000 eco-pledges—commitments of actions that people will take to help the environment. The ruffles cover a dress made from parachute scraps. This dramatic dress took 650 hours to create and was completed in 2011.
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Which one of the following was NOT an eco-pledge sewn to this dress?
- I will shop locally.
- I will eat organic food.
- I will live in a tree and eat bananas.
- I will use my car less.
- I will reuse and recycle everything I can.
Answer: 3.
We don’t have to live like monkeys to live lighter on the earth! Every moment we make simple decisions that affect the planet. What can you do in your life to help the environment?
ReDress: Upcycled Style
Eighteen of Nancy Judd’s enchanting couture fashion sculptures made from trash traveled to museums and art centers around the United States from 2013-2017. Watch this interview with Nancy talking about the ReDress exhibition.
Ruth Funk Center for Textile Arts, 2013
“The ReDress exhibit has been a gem to have within our walls and has sparked conversation and imagination among visitors, volunteers, staff and the campus. Your message is delivered in such a positive way that it motivates and excites individuals to want to become more aware of the impact their daily life has on the planet.”
Bascom Center for Visual Arts
“Everyone in Highland is talking about your exhibition – lots of good buzz about the Bascom.”
“We are absolutely thrilled to have this show and the response from visitors is nothing shy of amazing.”
The Reading Public Museum
“ReDress:Upcycled Style by Nancy Judd is more than just an exhibit. It’s an idea transformed into something people will remember, something that will make an impression on them. Judd takes discarded waste and turns it into something beautiful. Trash becomes a dress, shoes a purse or a hat that can be displayed to show people how they can help the environment and upcycle.”
Article from a student review of the exhibition.
Woodson Art Museum
“Nancy led a gallery walk on the final afternoon of her artist residency, May 1-4. On the first sunny afternoon after a long Wisconsin winter, more than 30 visitors flocked to the Museum for this program. Nancy ascertained the makeup of the group and tailored her comments to ensure she provided fresh content, different from her previous residency programs so that it wouldn’t be repetitive for those who attended previously. Her frank, open comments about her artwork and acceptance of commissions were well received and appreciated and likely encouraged visitors to pursue their career path with a realistic mix of passion and pragmatism.”
Exhibition Schedule:
- The Ruth Funk Center for Textile Arts in Melbourne, Florida – Winter 2013
- Bascom: Center for Visual Arts in Highlands, North Carolina – Spring 2013
- Reading Museum in Reading, Pennsylvania – Fall 2013
- Woodson Art Museum in Wausau, Wisconsin – Spring 2014
- Stamford Museum in Stamford, Connecticut – Spring 2015
- Artesia Historical Museum and Art Center in Artesia, New Mexico – Winter 2016/Spring 2017
- Farmington Museum in Farmington, New Mexico – Winter 2017/Spring 2018
- Fort Collins Museum of Art in Fort Collins, Colorado – Summer 2017
See a video of ReDress at the Ruth Funk Center.
Photos by Sarah Jane Smith (Funk) and Ian Michael WardPs (Bascom)
Recycle Runway in Airports
Airports provide Recycle Runway an opportunity to reach millions of international travelers often with time to spare. Airports include public art in their buildings to reduce the stress associated with airline travel, and Recycle Runway provides an engaging and educational experience to passengers while they wait for their plane.
Nancy is excited to announce that due to the popularity of her first exhibition in the Atlanta Airport, they have invited her back to install a 2nd show of all new work in 2017!
Following are the airports participating with Recycle Runway:
- 2nd Exhibition, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Fall 2019
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Feb 2011- Mar 2012
- Phoenix International Airport, Feb 2010-Sept 2010
- Pittsburgh International Airport, Aug 2008-Aug 2009
- Albuquerque Sky Harbor International Airport, Oct 2007-Jan 2008
Recycle Runway in the Phoenix International Airport
Praise about the Recycle Runway Exhibition:
“Nancy Judd’s Recycle Runway installation was one of our most popular exhibitions.”
David Vogt, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Airport Art Program Manager
2012 Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport Exhibition
Nancy Judd’s Recycle Runway exhibition in the ATL Airport, 2012
Twenty one of Nancy Judd’s eco-fashion sculptures were installed in ten cases located throughout international Concourse E from May 2011-June 2012. You can read blog posts about her midnight adventures installing the exhibition and a final report on the installation. You can also take the Eco-quiz and perform some E-activism that was a part of the show.
The following video showed on the CNN channel at every gate through out the Atlanta Airport several times a day during the exhibition!
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Thank you to Atlanta’s Airport Art Program staff and the sponsors for making this exhibition possible! |
Book Nancy Judd to speak at your event!
When Nancy walks onto the stage dressed in one of her captivating recycled fashions, people stop to listen!
Nancy engages audiences across the nation with her unique creativity, inspiring personal story and infectious passion for environmental conservation. Click below to view her two TEDx talks!
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NEW OFFERING!The Price of Fashion –
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Images of Ms. Judd’s couture eco-fashions enchant audiences large and small. With humor, sincerity and engaging stories, she weaves photos of her glamorous creations into numerous speaking topics:
- Creative environmentalism
- The nitty-gritty of recycling, re-use, waste reduction and composting
- Living lighter on the earth in our daily lives
- Using art to inspire and motivate
- Imaginative entrepreneurship
- Art therapy – personal stories of using art to heal
- Leading a life of passion
- A feminine approach to environmental activism and art
- Engaging the media with great stories and photos
Ms. Judd has delivered inspiring speeches to a wide range of audiences for many years:
- Girl Scouts G.I.R.L. Conference in Columbus OH – 2017
- Ft. Collins Museum in Ft Collins, CO – 2017
- Modified Style Fashion show (Price of Fashion), Portland, OR – 2017
- Stamford Museum in Stamford, CT – 2015
- ReSourceful Use in Portland, OR – 2015
- Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, GA – 2014
- Woodson Art Museum in Wausau, WI – 2014
- Hatch Reuse Center in Champaign, IL – 2014
- Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) Chautauqua Lecture series – Richmond, VA 2014
- University Wisconsin, Textile and Apparel Design students – Madison, WI 2014
- Woodson Art Museum – Wuasua, WI 2014
- American Business Women’s Association, Albuquerque Chapter- Albuquerque, NM 2013
- Bascom Visual Arts Center- Highlands, NC 2013
- Ruth Funk Center for Textile Arts- Melbourne, FL 2013
- TEDxAcequia Madre- Santa Fe, NM 2012
- Santa Fe School District, art teacher training – Santa Fe, NM 2012
- New Mexico Committee of the National Museum of Women in the Arts- Santa Fe, NM 2012
- TEDxABQ- Albuquerque, NM 2011
- Adams State College- Alamosa, CO 2011
- Urban Institute of Contemporary Art- Grand Rapids, MI 2011
- Atlanta International Airport Opening- Atlanta, GA 2011
- University Mall- Chapel Hill, NC 2010
- Pitzer College Alumna of the Year Award- Claremont, CA 2010
- Museum of International Folk Art- Santa Fe, NM 2010
- Fiber Arts Guild- Espanola, NM 2010
- Espanola Valley Fiber Arts Center- Santa Fe, NM 2010
- Santa Fe Business Incubator- Santa Fe, NM 2009
- Santa Fe Community College- Santa Fe NM 2009
- Santa Fe’s Textile Arts Alliance- Santa Fe NM 2009
- Schools and Universities, across the nation 1999- present
“I watched people a they exited the lecture hall after your “Upcycled Style” talk. I saw refreshed and happy faces. The first words that came out of peoples months were: “incredible”, “amazing”, “awesome”! I truly feel that you connected with your audience and provided us with an experience, not just a lecture.”
Kristen Klein, Ruth Funk Center for Textile Arts
“So many people told me how much they enjoyed your presentation and how they are inspired to do more. One thing I found very useful to this particular audience is how you explained creating your artwork as “solving problems/challenges”. I also appreicate how you relate to the audience and the background about your career changes/choices. I believe those things made it more real and possibly attainable through the college students eyes.”
Mary Hoffman, Adams State College
“Nancy presented SUCH a GREAT talk at TEDxABQ…she is an inspiration to us all to think more about what we throw away and how we can ALL do better by re-using and re-cycling our resources…”
TEDxABQ attendee
Ms. Judd can also combine one of her community-based workshops with a speaking engagement, contact her at 505-577-9712 or Nancy@RecycleRunway.com to learn more!
Up-cycled Fashion and Art Workshops
Nancy Judd provides unique and fun workshops that combine art, fashion and eco-consciousness. She creates community-building opportunities for you to engage your audience. Ms. Judd offers numerous kinds of workshops to fit the various needs and budgets of any organization.
On-line Classes and Workshops
Nancy provides virtual classes and workshops for adults (in businesses, non-profits or government agencies looking for team and morale building, creative inspiration and health and wellness experiences for their employees) and children of all ages.
Nature Art (AKA Nature Doodling)
Upcycled Art Workshops
Ms. Judd can lead participants in creating beautiful and fun objects from local waste materials that they can take home. Workshops are available in person and virtually! Project examples include:
 Candle holders made from recycled jars and magazines |
 Gift box made from old calendars |
 Up-cycled Accessories |
Up-cycled Fashion Workshops
Nancy has assisted groups around the country in designing and creating their own up-cycled fashions for over 15 years! Project examples include:
 Students in the Textile and Apparel Design Program at the University of Wisconsin in Madison |
 T-shirt Transformation workshop in Champaign, Illinois |
Recycle Runway Fashion Workshops
Nancy can create, with the help of your customers, a new Recycle Runway garment for your organization that is made from your waste materials. This is a memorable and engaging way to attract public and media attention to any kind of event. Nancy can design and create “life-size” garments, or “miniatures” depending upon your project and budget. Below are examples of three Recycle Runway Fashion Workshops.
 Eco-Flamenco, made by 5,000 people in Grand Rapids, Michigan |
 Tire-less Couture, created at the University Mall in Chapel Hill, NC |
 Jellyfish Dress, created in Lincoln City, OR |
Praise for Nancy’s Workshops:
“Thanks so much for the workshop!! It was really inspirational….not only as a push for recycling but as an artist. Great to see a fellow artist have success in the art world with something she feels passionate about. You really are an inspiration!!! Good luck to you in the future and I can’t wait to see what you come up with next!!!”
Patti Jordan
Nancy can work with you to plan the workshop to meet your specific goals. Contact her at 505-577-9712 or Nancy@RecycleRunway.com to learn more!
Creative Eco-Events
Creating Tire-less Couture in Chapel Hill, NC
Nancy Judd provides unique and memorable experiences for businesses, non-profit organizations and even small groups of individuals!
Combining art, fashion and eco-consciousness, she creates opportunities for you to engage your “participants” at special occasions, conferences, conventions, meetings, trade shows, team building exercises, retail locations, commemorative events and in educational campaigns with:
- Interactive, community-based up-cycled art and fashion workshops
- Inspiring speeches on numerous topics
- Site-specific Recycle Runway garments that can be created with the public
At a time when people are increasingly shopping, socializing and learning on-line Nancy creates compelling experiences that bring us together in a meaningful context.
“I was so positively impressed by your ability to relate so well to a wide variety of participants. You seemed calm and non-pressured and accepting of who showed up and how we accomplished what you needed. You gave so many options to stop and reroute if we needed to. I was amazed by your people skills! I thank you for the opportunity to be a part of the workshop.”
Jody Cassell, Chapel Hill, NC
Nancy can work with you to create the perfect event to meet your specific goals. Contact her at 505-577-9712 or Nancy@RecycleRunway.com to learn more!
Eco-Flamenco was created with 5,000 people in Grand Rapids, MI.
