I’m thrilled to be part of the Cake Picnic Tour in Minneapolis! I’ll be showcasing paints made from food waste and inviting everyone to create colorful, cake-inspired illustrations—while, of course, enjoying plenty of delicious cake!

Led by local artist and Uptown Art Fair contributor Lara Cornell, this experience invites you to paint with purpose using handmade, plant- and flower-based watercolor pigments from nature’s own palette.

Held on the last Saturday of each month at Bachman’s on Lyndale, each session is a seasonal celebration, from delicate spring blossoms to rich autumn tones. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned artist, this is a chance to slow down and let your creativity bloom.

What You’ll Experience:

• Learn how to extract pigment from in-season Bachman’s blooms and craft your own eco-friendly watercolor paints.

• Create a personalized color chart by modifying natural pigments into a wide spectrum of hues.

• Use your handmade paints to craft two garden-inspired watercolor paintings.

• Every detail is thoughtfully designed to leave no trace—featuring compostable materials, non-toxic pigments, and zero microplastics.

What You’ll Take Home:

• Your custom natural pigment color chart

• A unique modern art piece created with fluid, botanical hues

• Two seasonally-inspired vase watercolor paintings

• A plant from Bachman’s to grow your own art materials at home

• A sample of handcrafted paint to continue your creative journey

• A recipe and guide for making your own sustainable paints 

MCAD Fall 2025 Speaker Series: Hosted by MA in Sustainable Design Program

Lara Cornell MASD ‘24

Lecture:

Tuesday, September 23

Google Meet Link

1:00-2:00 p.m. CT

Lara Cornell MASD ‘24

Topic Overview

The MASD program offers a valuable opportunity to explore your interests and use the capstone or thesis to deeply focus on what you're truly passionate about and where you can make an impact. By doing so, you’ll graduate with a strong foundation of knowledge in an area that excites you and aligns with your goals. This sets you up to further pursue research, education, or work in that field. When I completed the program, I left with a clear sense of passion and direction. While I didn’t have every detail figured out, I knew I wanted to continue building on what I had started.

Join me at Patrick's Patio at Bachman's on Lyndale for an inspiring, creative workshop where art meets nature. I'll guide you through drawing beautiful orchids and painting them with unique watercolors I've handcrafted from Bachman's own flowers—a truly sustainable approach to art-making.

Can't draw or prefer a different approach? No problem. I've created two limited-edition linocut prints of orchids exclusively for this event. The first 60 participants will receive these original prints, ready for you to bring to life with my botanical paints.

This workshop celebrates both creativity and environmental consciousness. By using paints made entirely from natural botanicals, we're creating art while honoring our commitment to sustainability. You'll leave with not only a finished piece but also knowledge about eco-friendly art practices.

Come discover the beauty of botanical art while learning sustainable techniques that connect us more deeply with nature.

Celebrate Pride in a nurturing way. Lara will be at Queermunity in Uptown Minneapolis with her Food waste paints made from food waste from the Queermunity cafe. Come play and contribute to the Community Art project which will be on display as an installation at Queermunity after the event.

Hosted by Gifting Grove in the stunning LAB MPLS space, this unique event brings together Lara Cornell and Chowgirls for a one-of-a-kind collaboration. Attendees will enjoy delicious, sustainably crafted food prepared by Chowgirls, while Lara transforms food waste into natural pigments for painting.

Explore the pressing issue of food waste and discover what a sustainable food system can look like. Learn about the environmental impact of traditional acrylic paints and how to reimagine art and design through a circular approach. Witness the harmony of farm-to-table catering and sustainable art in action.

Participants will also gain hands-on experience creating a full spectrum of colors from just seven base pigments and will have the opportunity to create their own paintings to take home. This is more than an event—it's an inspiring journey into sustainability, creativity, and collaboration.

Join us for the opening of the Art Experiences Uptown event and discover the fascinating world of food waste paints. Unleash your creativity by crafting your own unique painting to take home, and learn how to create more sustainable paints right in your own kitchen.

Join us for the opening of the Art Experiences Uptown event and discover the fascinating world of food waste paints. Unleash your creativity by crafting your own unique painting to take home, and learn how to create more sustainable paints right in your own kitchen.

Lecture: Hyper-Sourced Materials as a More Sustainable Alternative to Water-Based Acrylic Paints Presented by Lara Cornell
Workshop: Tierra y Tradición (Earth and Tradition) Workshop Series Presented by Alfonso Fernandez

March 8, 2025 | Hyman Forum, Goucher College
Lecture at 3:00 PM | Workshop at 4:30 PM

Baltimore, MD – Goucher College proudly presents Tierra y Tradición (Earth and Tradition), a workshop series by artist Alfonso Fernandez, paired with an inspiring lecture by Lara Cornell on sustainable art practices. Supported by the Creative Baltimore Fund on behalf of the City of Baltimore and BOPA, as well as the Grit Fund, this event celebrates ancestral wisdom, cultural exchange, and environmental sustainability.

Tierra y Tradición (Earth and Tradition) is a series of workshops selected for the 2024 Mayor’s Individual Artist Project Support centered on traditional Indigenous and Mexican knowledge of natural materials. In the first workshop hosted at Goucher College, participants will learn how to create pigments and paints from plants, minerals, and other natural elements, mastering techniques passed down through generations. These workshops emphasize resourcefulness, sustainability, and a deep connection to the land, contributing to the preservation and appreciation of cultural heritage.

As an artist of Indigenous and Mexican heritage, Alfonso Fernandez explores the intersections of identity, memory, and materiality. Drawing from the oral histories and traditional practices of his ancestors, Fernandez uses natural materials to create art that embodies the vibrancy and resilience of Indigenous knowledge systems. His practice interrogates colonial legacies and centers marginalized narratives, celebrating cultural continuity. Through Tierra y Tradición, he invites the community to join in a shared exploration of cultural heritage, using creative practice as a means of reconnecting with the Earth and with each other.

Workshop Highlights:

• Introduction to Natural Pigments: Learn the origins of natural pigments and their cultural significance in Indigenous and Mexican art. Participants will explore the history and symbolism of colors, gather local natural materials, and create raw pigment samples.

• The Art of Extraction: Discover the process of transforming raw materials into usable pigments using sustainable methods. Participants will grind stones, boil flowers, and ferment plant extracts to produce powders, pastes, and dyes.

• Creating with Nature: Use handmade paints to create artworks that reflect personal and cultural narratives, with storytelling and sharing circles to deepen cultural connections.

Lecture by Lara Cornell:
Hyper-Sourced Materials as a More Sustainable Alternative to Water-Based Acrylic Paints
3:00 PM | Hyman Forum, Goucher College

An advocate for sustainability and social impact, Lara Cornell brings a unique perspective on using hyper-sourced materials as an eco-friendly alternative to conventional acrylic paints. With nearly three decades of experience in sales, retail, and impact-driven brands, including Aveda and Laura Ashley, Cornell has made significant strides in the art world. She is the founder of Artisan & Company and the Artisan Academie, initiatives that support artisans in building sustainable businesses while fostering community connections worldwide.

Cornell’s passion for sustainability is deeply rooted in her family’s artisan legacy. Her grandparents and relatives were skilled in woodworking, floral artistry, quilting, and architectural design, influencing her understanding of craftsmanship. This legacy inspired her to help artisans leave a mark by creating handmade businesses focused on three pillars: planet, people, and prosperity.

In addition to her thriving art career, which includes exhibiting at the Louvre in Paris, Cornell is the author of two international best-selling books, Maker’s Mark and The Sustainable Maker. She also founded the Sustainable Artisan Guild, a global movement empowering artisans to build sustainable practices within their studios and products.

Her lecture will delve into the environmental impact of synthetic art materials and offer innovative solutions through sustainable sourcing and production methods. Cornell’s expertise is backed by her Master of Art in Sustainable Design and a Graduate Certificate in Biomimicry/Biomimetic Design from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, one of the top five art and design schools in the United States.

Event Schedule – March 8, 2025:

• 3:00 PM – Lecture by Lara Cornell: “Hyper-Sourced Materials as a More Sustainable Alternative to Water-Based Acrylic Paints”

• 4:30 PM – Workshop by Alfonso Fernandez: Tierra y Tradición (Earth and Tradition)

Location:
Hyman Forum, Goucher College
1021 Dulaney Valley Rd, Towson, MD 21210

Admission:
Free and open to the public. Spaces are limited; early registration is encouraged.

Contact Information:
For more details about the workshop and lecture, please contact:
Liz Faust
liz.faust@goucher.edu

About the Artists:
Alfonso Fernandez is an artist of Indigenous and Mexican heritage whose work explores the intersections of identity, memory, and materiality. Using natural materials sourced from traditional practices, Fernandez creates art that celebrates cultural resilience and continuity. His workshops aim to preserve and share Indigenous knowledge systems while fostering cultural exchange and creative confidence.

Lara Cornell is an artist, sustainability advocate, and founder of Artisan & Company and the Sustainable Artisan Guild. Her commitment to environmental sustainability and social impact is reflected in her art practice and educational initiatives. Cornell empowers artisans worldwide to build sustainable businesses rooted in tradition and community.

Join us for an inspiring afternoon of cultural heritage, sustainability, and creative expression!