Celebrated on 22 nd of April each year since 1970, and now known as the planet’s largest civic event, the theme of Earth Day this year is ‘Climate Action.’
With Somerset House closed to the public, the celebration which was scheduled for the whole of April, consisting of interactive installations, design work and on-site workshops, has been reconfigured to a series of free creative online workshops, sessions and live interviews for the world to enjoy, from Wednesday 22 nd April – Wednesday 20 th May. The events team is championing the theme by further developing the venue’s commitment to event sustainability and creating a handbook for organisers, specific to the venue. Both last year and just recently Somerset House achieved a 4-star rating at the Creative Green Awards. Last year the venue generated 56% of its own electricity, installed 5 water fountains across the site and reduced deliveries by 12%. All suppliers to the venue each have their own sustainability policies.
Earth Day season kicks off on 22 nd April with acclaimed men’s British fashion designer Bethany Williams’ DIY flag making workshop - where viewers will learn print making and embroidery techniques - and enjoy a live interview with Williams and Somerset House’s curator Karishma Rafferty at midday.
Williams’ programme is entitled ‘All Our Children’ and encourages audiences to get creative with fabrics and clothes they can find at home and consider how they’d transform society’s relationship with the planet to protect it for future generations, using the flag as a platform for sharing their wishes. Thursday 23 rd sees a Mindful Mushrooms workshop inviting families to discover the art of collage with Seana Gavin and Friday brings a Grow your own mushrooms workshop with resident mycologist Darren Springer. On Saturday there is an open house fashion studio from 2pm with Bethany Williams and knitwear designer Katie Jones led by fashion journalist Tamsin Blanchard. The full itinerary can be found on the website here:
https://www.somersethouse.org.uk/whats-on/earth-day-2020
The sustainable booklet will be available to all organisers booking events at Somerset House post lockdown.
