The Ban Righ Centre

Winter 2012

Special Speaker Series

Humanity and Nature: Reconnecting

Indulge an interest or discover a new one. From the visual and other arts, science and technology, the environment and social justice, to the more personal, obscure and indescribable; we try to cover it all. This year, various global events impelled us to ask speakers to focus on our relationship with the natural environment and suggestways to improve that relationship through discussion, activities of daily living, advocacy, volunteerism, mindfulness, choice, recreation, politics, spirituality and more. We dedicated theFall/Winter program to Reconnecting with Nature.

All are welcome. Talks are from noon – 1:00. at 32 Bader Lane, Queen’s (with the exception of the January 27th talk). Homemade soup available (donation appreciated). Find the schedule of speakers on our website at banrighcentre.queensu.ca. or receive a reminder via e-mail by e-mailing or calling 613.533.2976. Space is limited so please come early.

The following artists will show their work at the Ban Righ Centre:

  • Jessica Marion-Barr (early January to end of Feb).
  • Lee Fisher-Goodchild (end of February until end of April)

Thursday January 19 Transition Kingston: Peter Welch, Member Transition Kingston

The global Transition movement is about helping our communities become resilient against the challenges of peak oil and climate change. Think canning, biking, walking, gardening, bartering, making music with your neighbours and dancing with your friends. Reduce your carbon footprint and bring joy into your life. Live simply!

Monday January 23 Force of Nature DVD (note: part 1 of 2)

At seventy-five years old, David Suzuki shows no signs of slowing down. In this captivating documentary portrait, the passionate environmentalist's legacy lecture is entwined with candid interviews in which he reflects on his life and shares deeply personal stories, revealing a side previously unseen.

Tuesday January 24 Force of Nature DVD (part 2 of 2)

Friday January 27The Power of One MP: Elizabeth May,MP and Leader of the Green Party

please note location: Elspeth Baugh Fireside Room, Ban Righ Hall, Queen’s campus

Elizabeth May will review the life of a one-person party in the Houseof Commons. She will explore areas where MPs have individualrights, her use of Question Period, making amendments, submittingpetitions and engaging in debates on all legislation. Most recentlyshe will have attended the UN climate talks in Durban (COP17) and willcomment on Canada's performance.

Thursday February 2 From Factory to Sales Floor- Your T-shirt's Journey of Environmental and Social Irresponsibility: Laurie Davey-Quantick, P’lovers Kingston- The Environmental Store

Fashion and styles are constantly changing and consumers are bombarded with the next "must have" item. In the quest to wear the latest trend, often little regard is given to the societal and environmental costs of bringing clothing to the marketplace. This discussion will examine the real price to society and the planet, and present alternatives to make fashion more sustainable and eco-friendly.

Tuesday February 7 Lure of the land- Adventures at Full Tilt: Colette Urban,Artist/Professor Emerita, University of Western Ontario
Colette Urban took a chance. Shereinvented herself at 55 by investing her energy in a farm in Newfoundland. The businesses that she now juggles include an organic market garden, an art residency program, an art gallery, a cottage rental, a painted mat business, a vehicle storage facility and a performance art practice. The challenges are endless and the endeavor fulfilling. This presentation will provide a glimpse into the life and times of an artist at large in the frontier of Newfoundland.

Wednesday February 15 Energy/ Poverty- What it can mean for families: Bridget Doherty, Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Office, Sisters of Providence.

Rising energy costs have an impact on all Ontarians, but low-income households are hit hardest.This talk will explore the impacts of rising energy costs for families and individuals in Ontario and what the Ontario government is doing to prevent potential hardships.

Tuesday February 21 Energy Efficiency and Home Design:Mikaela Hughes,Kingston Architect
Designing our homes and living environmentsis a continuous balancing ofdiverse criteria-functional, aesthetic, economic,psychologicaland many others. Where does the environment and energy efficiency fit in? With a mindfulness of the balance between function and form, Mikaela will talk about basic principles of passive solar design, natural light, renewable energy applications and innovations in building construction materials, codes and standards.

Thursday February 23“Discussing the Environment”: Bryan Bowers,Indigenous Art Educator

“Discussing the Environment”, an art piece created by Arnold Jacobs, an Onondaga artist, will be interpreted by Indigenous Art Educator Bryan Bowers. In this painting the spirits come alive from the land, air and water. They must all be in balance so that they sustain our existence and keep our minds at ease

Tuesday February 28 Birds, Bees, Bones-Can Art Save the World?: Jessica Marion Barr,Artist

What is the place of art in our troubled world? Can art make a difference? Jessica Marion Barr is an artist whoiscompleting the first year of her Ph.D. in Cultural Studies at Queen's University. Her work focuses on forging links between art, ecology, ethics, and sustainability. In addition to outlining her current art projects and

practice, this talk willbriefly survey contemporary artistic interventions into issues of climate change and sustainability, and will consider the place of art in struggles to raise awareness and inspire tangible change for ecological justice.

Thursday March 15 Peak Oil- Military Concerns vs Civilian Inaction: Rick Munroe,Energy Security Analyst, National Farmers’ Union of Canada
This presentation will explain the peak oil phenomenon and demonstrate that despite the increasing concerns of military analysts, there is little demonstrable interest within key civilian sectors (Parliament, Federal government departments, emergency planners, mainstream media, etc.).

Wednesday March 21 What does Iceland have that we don't have?:Betty- Anne Howard,Certified Financial Planner, Making Dreams a Reality Financial Services

Betty-Anne Howard, made the trek to Iceland in order to meet the women at Audur Capital. They identified the looming financial crises before it occurred and therefore came through it largely unscathed because of their feminine approach to investing which includes focusing on the environment and profits with principles. Halla Tomasdottir one of the owners of Audur Capital won a TED award for their innovative approach to managing money. You can view itat

Thursday March 22Solar Hot Water Heating-Saving Green, Going Green: Ben Stinson, Partner, The Stinson Group and Green Ventures Bermuda

In life it is not how much you make; rather it is how much it costs to live that determines quality of life. The same is true for solar energy: it is not always about making money; rather it is about saving money. Scientists at Queen’s have perfected a solar hot water system for residential and commercial applications that saves money and reduces the carbon emissions that lead to global warming. This session is aimed at providing information on solar hot water heating, how it works and the financial and environmental benefits.

Tuesday March 27Taoism and Nature: James Miller,Associate Professor of Chinese Studies, School of Religion & Cultural Studies Program

At the same time that China is experiencing explosive growth while struggling to find a less polluting model of development, Chinese people have developed a renewed interest in Taoism, which advocates a spiritual life based on harmony between humans and the world. This talk explores the connections between religion and nature in this fascinating ancient tradition that is slowly becoming more understood in the West.

Wednesday April 18 Fibre Art- A Picture Tells a Thousand Words: Lee Fisher Goodchild, Fibre Artist

Almost without fail, when Lee tells someone she is a fibre artist, they respond with the question, “What’s fibreart?” In this presentation, Lee will show examples of how art can be created from fibre, fabric, thread and stitch; describe her own meandering journey into fibre arts; and reflect on the age-old discussion of whether fibreart is art or craft.