The Ceramics Collective, a group of potters working together in Nillumbik’s Living and Learning ClayMakerSpace, has come up with an artistic solution to an environmental problem.
Now’s your chance to have a cuppa and protect the environment and join the war on waste.
They have created Change Cups to be used instead of throw-away paper coffee cups.
The cups are being sold at Café Zen Den in Eltham and the St Andrews’ Men’s Shed has built bespoke cabinets to display them.
Led by Sue McCormick, coordinator of Clay MakerSpace, the project builds on Nillumbik Shire Council’s Travelling Teapot community engagement initiative to create an arts and cultural blueprint for the Shire.
The initiative was officially launched by Deputy Mayor Karen Egan at Café Zen Den this week.
Cr Egan said organisations like the non-profit Ceramics Collective were important to Nillumbik because of their expressed values of inclusiveness and enriching community well-being.
“This project not only enhances environmental sustainability but brings handmade art into the everyday experience of locals and visitors,” Cr Egan said.
“This grows our creative industries and enhances the Shire as an arts-rich community. It ticks all the boxes in terms of the goals of the Arts & Cultural Development Plan for 2018 – 2022.”
Sue McCormick said the initiative showcases the work of emerging artists, many of whom are selling their work for the first time.
“We hope our locally handcrafted cups inspire our community to buy a cup and be part of the artistic solution to waste,” Sue said.
The start-up phase of Change Cups received a grant from the Nillumbik Community Fund, which helped build the bespoke cabinets.
The Change Cups are on sale now.
