Richmond Celebrates Earth Day With First Annual 'Upcycle'

From The Richmond Art Center (RAC):

The Richmond Art Center (RAC) in partnership with the City of Richmond and numerous East Bay organizations will host the First Annual Upcycle! Richmond.

This free maker-festival will showcase hands-on art, science and alternative energy projects for the whole family this Saturday, April 20 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Richmond Art Center, 2540 Barrett Ave.

“We’re thrilled to be hosting a fun afternoon with more than 15 different art and science activities that are perfect for the whole family,” said Ric Ambrose, executive director of the Richmond Art Center. “Children and parents can come to create, learn and explore art and science, and most important, have fun together!”

Unleash your creativity through these hands-on activities:

• Make paper headdress hats and marionette puppets, screenprint a t-shirt or make jewelry with artists from the Richmond Art Center  
• Explore the science of bubble-ology (large bubbles) with Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL)
• Design and test a tiny ‘sweeper’ robot that cleans up environmental spills with California 4-H
• Customize your bike using paint and decorative recycled materials with the help of The original Scraper Bike Team
• Paint records and album covers with the National Institute of Art & Disabilities (NIAD)
• Learn about biking in Richmond and valet park your bicycle with Rich City Rides
• See organic gardening techniques from Urban Tilth and enjoy slushies from a bike-powered slushy maker.
• Witness 2D come to life through a solar-powered 3D printer from Bridge Art Space
• Watch a presentation about a bicycle trip from Patagonia to Alaska with Indira Urritia and Marc Hors.

Materials are provided, and families get to bring home their artwork. Admission and parking are free.

Upcycle! Richmond is sponsored by: Kaiser Permanente, Bay City Mechanical, Inc., EBMUD, and RecycleMore West Contra Costa Integrated Waste Management Authority.