Artisan Profile: Fernando Cruz, Sancti Spiritus, Cuba

I’d heard about him through word of mouth. He uses local clay and had opened his own workshop. So I’m on a bike in the scorching afternoon sun and the dusty dirt roads are beginning to all look the same. Amongst the brighly coloured cinder block buildings and helpful abuelas taking in their laundry, I see it at last: a cluttered clay workshop where topless men waft cigarette smoke and work boisterously. Continue reading “Artisan Profile: Fernando Cruz, Sancti Spiritus, Cuba”

Whites Upcycled Project (WUP)

With approximately 12 million tons of textile waste being generated each year in North America amounting to approximately 68 lbs of waste per household per year —85% of which winding up in landfills, it’s time we both curb consumption and upcycle what we’re not wearing! Continue reading “Whites Upcycled Project (WUP)”

Cuba: Simple Solutions for Simple Living

Simply designed composting toilets are a perfectly legal and sustainable option throughout the country. Just make sure you follow the directions!

There was so much to take in. Without Starbucks at every corner and big box eyesores in every community Cuba has been leading a green revolution since the fall of the Soviet Union. That’s when the country was largely cut off from foreign aid and catapulted into crisis mode or what is known as the ‘Special Period’ ending in the year 2000. With the US embargo still in full swing (Yes, the US has only stopped travel restrictions for Americans and no longer views it an enemy nation), the country is exemplary in its sustainable design, organic, localized food production, small scale business, appropriate technology and all round inventive ingenuity making do with what can be found, fixed or retrofitted…sometimes all three! Continue reading “Cuba: Simple Solutions for Simple Living”

My PDC Workshop in Cuba

Was natural dyeing and regenerative textiles a part of your Permaculture Design Certification? Or how about permaculture beyond food production? An alumni of the annual Cuba Permaculture Design Course run by the Urban Farmer, I was thrilled to lead a workshop on natural dyeing using locally sourced organic dyes and how we can apply permaculture principles to nourish ourselves beyond calories. Cuz, it’s all connected…riiiight? Interested in taking a workshop or hosting me? Visit the workshops page! Continue reading “My PDC Workshop in Cuba”

Street Art Cuban Style

Earlier this year I had the pleasure of visiting Cuba for the second time. I was struck by public artwork at every turn. Whether it was imaginative and political ‘graffiti’ enlivening the streets of Havana or sculptures donning inner city parks, the creative side to this revolutionary nation was on full display. Continue reading “Street Art Cuban Style”