Sustainable Material Pedagogy in the Faculty of Fine Arts at Concordia University

Abstract

This thesis looks to uncover how studio-based Fine Arts students are learning about sustainable material practices at Concordia University. By investigating current material approaches in art education and interviewing technical support staff and professors in five departments and programs across the university, I set to find out. As I built the case study, four themes emerged: waste, health and safety, time and natural materials. They helped to frame what I learned from my participants, but also guided the recommendations for future directions in material pedagogy and literacy. The goal of my research is to change the culture of sustainable material practice in the Faculty of Fine Arts at Concordia University.

Outcome and Impact

Brought what I learned from my research into workshops, skill-shares, class presentations and seminars in the subsequent years after publication.

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March 2025

Cradle-to-Cradle: Exploring the impact of personal objects
Guest Lecturer, ARTH 365 Materials and Processes
Faculty of Fine Arts, Concordia University, Montreal, Qc

A class activity exploring the impact of personal objects that students bring in(i.e. ceramics, technology, clothing, jewelry, etc)

Class details: mix of 60 students from across the Faculty of Fine Arts
Professor: Rebecca Duclos, Professor Emerita, former Dean of Fine Arts (2015-2020)

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October 2023, 2022

Cradle-to-Cradle: Exploring the impact of personal objects
Guest Lecturer, Sustainability Ambassadors Program
Concordia University, Montreal, Qc

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September 2023

6Rs – How they might apply to Sculpture
Guest Lecturer, SCUL 241 Sustainability in Sculptural Practices
Faculty of Fine Arts, Concordia University, Montreal, Qc