There are many reasons to attend Pens of the Earth’s Wild Seas, Wilder Cities book launch on 21st October, at Portsmouth Guildhall. It will be an event-packed evening, offering a joyful glimpse inside Wild Seas, Wilder Cities, with spoken word performances from the authors, guest environmental speakers telling of exciting local projects, a welcoming cafe-style atmosphere and a bar; there’s the fact that all proceeds from the launch event activities will go towards Seagrass Restoration in the Solent; and there’s the glimmering beauty of local textile artist Jane Andreoli’s Litter Art which will be on display and for sale alongside the book, helping to plant the seeds of change beneath the waters of the Solent. S&C community reporter and co-editor of the book, Helen Salsbury, tells us more.
So here’s why there’s Litter Art at the Pens of the Earth Wild Seas, Wilder Cities book launch:
Pens of the Earth was founded in 2019, by a community of Portsmouth writers and creatives, to create upbeat work on the theme of saving the planet by making small changes and taking local action. Initially they published online and performed their work live at a variety of events, including a supporting run for Bench Theatre at the Spring in 2023: ‘These pieces are well-written, thoughtful, funny and insightful. Creativity like this deserves support,’ said James George in a review for The News.
In October 2023 they set out to raise funds to publish their first book – a joyful mixture of poems, stories, articles and illustrations from 54 different contributors. The whole creative community got involved in bringing the book to fruition. Crowdfunding took them part of the way, and individual efforts added money to the pot.
Christina Moran, who enjoys writing poetry and loathes litter, took her sack and grabber and set out on a sponsored litter pick to raise funds for the cause. Her original goal was 2000 pieces. She soon achieved that and accelerated up to 6000 pieces. It is astounding what people feel they can just throw into a hedgerow. Apart from the usual scurf of cans, wrappers and plastic, Christina found some surprises like a toilet seat, champagne bottles and a rucksack with a phone.
The World Wildlife Organisation says, ‘Litter dropped in the street doesn’t stay there. Rainwater and wind carries plastic waste into streams and rivers, and through drains. Everything leads to the ocean.’
Christina’s project made her small area of Hampshire considerably cleaner, raised additional money towards publishing costs and highlighted the mess we humans make of our living space.
Christina’s work inspired Jane Andreoli, a textile artist and writer, who stepped in with some unusual ideas. Why not turn recycled litter into something amazing?
Just before Christmas 2023 Jane asked her friends and family if she could have all the plastic packaging and sweet papers they would normally have thrown away. She was inundated with bubble wrap, mailing envelopes, foil and soft plastic in every colour imaginable. She set to work turning trash into useful items using her quilter’s skills and her individual collaging technique. The result is a dazzling display of bags, purses and pencil cases plus a small portfolio of pictures. Each item is unique. Jane feels that if litter can be seen as a form of harvest, then maybe more of it will be salvaged and made into items that are bright, beautiful
and useful. She will give a brief talk about her work and its inspiration and hopes that the audience will be inspired to treat themselves to a piece of her work and make a little money to give to the seagrass restoration project
The book launch takes place at the Lens Studio in Portsmouth’s Guildhall from 6.30 to 8.30pm on Monday 21st October 2024.
Tickets are £6.00, available from the Guildhall box office.
The book will be on sale at the special launch price of £10.00
Jane Andreoli’s Litter Art will be available from as little as £5.50 for a shell purse and £6.50 for a pencil case. With larger pieces such as messenger bags, document holders and landscape pictures also available.
Pens of the Earth would like to thank the Portsmouth Guildhall for supporting them in their aim to raise as much money as possible for Seagrass Restoration by offering the venue free of charge. The staff have been supportive, friendly and a delight to work with.
The evening will be a celebration, the culmination of much hard work, and a lot of fun.
Details of the event, and where to purchase the book, can be found on the Pens of the Earth website.
Jane Andreoli’s Litter Art will only be available at the launch.
‘Seagrasses are marine flowering plants which provide food and shelter for an array of wonderful marine life, protect our shores from coastal erosion and help to reduce the effects of climate change.’
Ellie Parker, Marine Officer – Solent Seagrass Restoration Project
To find out more about the vital work of Seagrass Restoration in the Solent, visit here.
Image provided by Pens of the Earth.