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# SUNY New Paltz Presents Composium, a Series of Events Exploring Sustainability in the Arts
- URL: https://hyperallergic.com/suny-new-paltz-presents-composium-events-exploring-sustainability-in-the-arts/
- Published: 2025-09-09T18:58:39.000Z
- Updated: 2025-11-24T15:07:09.000Z
- Description: SUNY’s largest studio MFA program presents a symposium exploring the connections between materials, process, community, and the environment.
- Author: SUNY New Paltz
- Tags: Announcement, Event Announcement, New York State, Sponsored, #wp, #wp-post, #image-position-large, #Import 2025-11-24 09:41 (2025)

With a full slate of workshops, talks, and exhibitions focused on sustainable arts practices, SUNY New Paltz is thrilled to present its [2025 *Composium*](https://bit.ly/41I7AFl?ref=hyperallergic.com) from September 18 through 20 at the SUNY New Paltz campus.

This year’s keynote address, “Sustainability as a Collaborative Practice,” will be presented by cross-disciplinary artist [sTo Len](https://www.stoishere.com/?ref=hyperallergic.com), who will discuss his holistic, community-minded approach to creating ecologically transformational work. 

Also on Friday, artist and author [Natalie Stopka](https://www.nataliestopka.com/?ref=hyperallergic.com) discusses her work utilizing botanical color in re-envisioning ecological relations and shares the colorful stories of her historically inspired plant pigments. On Saturday, Natalie hosts a workshop on using foraged ink and pastels. 

On Saturday, artist [Venetia Dale](https://venetiadale.com/?ref=hyperallergic.com) will present a survey of her pewter and fiber sculptural works that speak to the emotional landscape and interconnection of mothering, interpersonal relationships, and community. 

All talks will be held in-person as well as [livestreamed online](https://bit.ly/4nfgKRQ?ref=hyperallergic.com). 

The *Composium* features three events with ceramicist [Lisa Orr](https://lisaorr.com/?ref=hyperallergic.com), including the construction of an ultra-efficient, zero-smoke wood kiln on Thursday, September 18; a firing in the kiln filled with work made from locally foraged clay on Friday, September 19; and an unloading and evaluation of the firing on Saturday, September 20\. 

SUNY New Paltz metal students will exhibit their collaborations with [Radical Jewelry Makeover,](https://www.radicaljewelrymakeover.org/?ref=hyperallergic.com) a project that works with jewelers of all levels to educate people about mining and material sourcing issues involved in jewelry making. 

Other exciting *Composium* offerings include a foraging walk and ethnobotanical tour of SUNY New Paltz with [Matthew Friday](https://www.matthewfriday.net/?ref=hyperallergic.com); a charcoal retort presented by Michael Asbill and Ripley Butterfield of [Processing Collapse](https://www.processingcollapse.com/?ref=hyperallergic.com); and a public meal of foraged and locally sourced food in SUNY New Paltz’s EcoArtLab. 

*Composium* is free and open to the public. 

**To learn more and register, visit** [**newpaltz.edu**](https://bit.ly/41I7AFl?ref=hyperallergic.com) **or contact Matthew Friday at** [**fridaym@newpaltz.edu**](mailto:fridaym@newpaltz.edu)**.**