HIGHLIGHTS FOR SUMMER 2013 (FINAL SCHEDULE TBD) Each year we offer select teaching themes, which require the artist/scientist viewpoint--to share techniques and exchange ideas. Invited guest lecturers include an earth scientist and green designer to kick off the summer 2013 program. The United Nations Safe Planet Campaign Liaison in Geneva, Michael S. Jones, will speak on Hazardous Chemicals and Waste in the environment, the focus of the Campaign with UNEP, where he is Press Counselor. ArtMill’s Director Barbara Benish will lecture on ‘Sustainable Places on the Planet’ and how to help them grow. ArtMill’s Director of Summer Programs, Carolanne Patterson will lecture on Green Architecture with ArtMill’s Landscape Architect Kate Spacek. A former Head of the Czech Green Party and environmental activist is invited to lecture one day on various topical environmental issues. ARTMILL PROJECTS Each project will have assigned readings to accompany lectures and research programs. ArtMill is working closely with the U.S. based sustainable education organization, Creative Change. Our projects are recognized for their visionary aesthetics, exceptional functionality, keen understanding of social design, and integration of environmental sustainability.

1. Our Town: Sustainable Places and Green Spaces

Topics Land use planning, Communities,

Habitats, Brownfields, soils/water/toxicology/, Green building, Environmental justice, Public Policy, Government

Project A Working closely with the Mayor of our nearby village, (Hradovice, population: 30 families) students will learn first hand about a new bio-gas facility now being built with EU funding. Among topics, the mayor will speak on the process of grant-writing, community building, and public policy to create this unique sustainable energy plant in the C.R. At ArtMill’s workshops, students will create a model bio-gas plant on the grounds, utilizing animal manure and refuse from local farms.

Project B Carolanne Patterson will lecture on Green Design in the US and Europe. With ArtMill’s Kate Spacek, our Landscape Architect, they will offer students a chance to design from the ground up a small public park area along the lake adjacent to ArtMill. Incorporating the local ecosystem, biodiversity issues and green design, the project offers students an opportunity to create and execute (design/build) the park during their time at Bohemian Workshops, creating installations and stopping points along the lake to engage visitors and increase the awareness of the watershed and the role it plays in the region. Students will be encouraged to conduct a graphic design campaign to raise public awareness of the project and invite local schools to participate in building and construction projects. Students will present their sketches, designs and photographs at the final exhibition at Galerie Califia as the course concludes. 2. Energy Systems: Design Challenge

Topics Electricity sources and generation methods, Energy Policy, Green Building, Life Cycle Analysis, Greenwashing, Social/Environmental Justice, Economics, Entrepreneurship, Investing, Technology.

Project A Students will have the opportunity to adapt a formerly functioning hydroelectric system with ArtMill’s antique turbine. From initial designs inspired by the original 1929 turbine renovation, we will study the sustainability aspects of the interconnected water and river systems in Bohemia that date to the time of King Charles IV. There will be field trips to nearby mills in the region, and discussions with visiting experts on alternative energy and energy policy within the EU. This program teachs the value and practice of developing community partnerships and ongoing mentoring support within the region. Project B Choosing wind and/or solar power, students will build a functioning water system to generate a rain-water-fed fountain and irrigation system in the courtyard of the mill. This recycling system will work to not only collect and store water, but will also act as a sculptural soundscape with a sustainable purpose. We will study global water issues, including and involving earth science and climate change.

3. A Taste of Change: Shaping Sustainable Food Systems Topics Food and culture; the food

“footprint”, History of Food Systems, Agricultural technologies, Food chains/webs, Energy and food systems, Price vs. Cost, Subsidies and Food Policy, Globalization, Local economies

Project A Small farming, A-Z. Working with ArtMill’s organic gardeners and local farmers, student will have a hands-on experience of planting in the green house, moving seedlings outside, laying in vegetables, fertilizing, mushroom hunting and identification (Czech tradition) etc. We will observe the non-organic farming practices of computerized tractors the surrounding fields, we will take soil samples and compare the two farming techniques. With scientific analysis, students will see the obvious differences in personal health and the health of the soil, soil remediation projects from brown fields in the CR, etc. Lectures on soil science, and cooking lessons in local traditions. We will also visit a local dairy, watch how they make cheese locally, as well as other local food preparation facilities. Students will have the opportunity to construct and use simple solar ovens, from materials found onsite. With local farmers we will focus on crop rotation, pesticides, farm budgets, GMO seeds, and documentation of a sustainable lifestyle that is quickly changing in the rural countryside. Students will also study the lifestyle changes in the CR; can a country change from a pork-based diet to a plant-based shift? What is the ratio of vegans to the meat eating population? How does this shift affect their healthcare system in general? Project B Once a local livelihood, beehives are becoming more and more rare in the region not just due to lifestyle changes, but also dueto the decimation of the global bee population. Visits to local hives and beekeepers will be possible for students to both study this ancient technique and also to interview the beekeepers, watch them work and learn about this unique and important part of our ecosystem. Students will participate in designing and building ArtMill’s first bee boxes, to be studied and enjoyed as a continued research project as part of the ongoing sustainability curriculum.