Students create work of art on organic shopping bags

20 May '09

3 min read

Textile Design students in the School of Fashion at Academy of Art University have taken the organic shopping bag craze one step further by using the bags as canvases to create pieces of art. The students have produced over 100 totes by printing their original designs onto 100% organic cotton bags using eco-friendly water-based ink.

Bag details:
• Made in the U.S.A.
• 100% organic cotton. Eco-friendly water-based ink.
• Two sizes: 18" W x 14" H x 5" D or 16 ¼ “W x 14" H x 4" D
• Each bag is $40.00 with all profits going to the student scholarship fund.

According to the EPA, an estimated 500 billion to 1 trillion plastic bags are consumed worldwide each year. Not only are the students attempting to change those numbers, they are urging that their one-of-a-kind creations be re-purposed as pieces of art when retired as shopping bags.

Inside each bag is the following 'Care Instructions' statement - I am a one-of-a-kind creation made with love by an Academy of Art University Textile Design student. Only the most earth-friendly cotton and dyes were used to produce me. Fill me with groceries and picnics. The day when I become too threadbare to be worn, re-purpose me into a print for your wall. The planet will thank you for creating art and not waste. As an added karmic boost, all profits go to the student scholarship fund.

Press Preview: Thursday, May 21st at the Academy of Art University Annual Spring Show Opening Night Reception from 4:30 - 6:30 pm at 601 Brannan Street at 5th Street.

Open to Public: Thursday, May 21st - 7:00 - 9:00 pm at 601 Brannan Street at 5th Street. The bags will be on sale at this venue for one week until May 28th. Hours: Monday - Friday: 9:00 - 6:00. Saturday: 9:00 - 5:00. Closed Sundays.

After May 28th, bags may be purchased at the 79 Gallery, 79 New Montgomery Street. (Same hours as above).

Additionally, Eco Citizen Boutique, 1488 Vallejo Street, will be selling 23 select bags. Hours: Monday by appointment. Tuesday through Saturday: 11:00 am - 7:00 pm. Sunday: 12:00 noon - 6:00 pm.

Established in 1929, Academy of Art University is the largest accredited private art and design school in the U.S. with over 13,000 students throughout San Francisco as well as nationally and internationally through the growing online program. Over 2,000 fashion students study under the guidance of experienced fashion professionals.

The School of Fashion houses ten areas of specialization: Fashion Design for Womenswear, Menswear, and Childrenswear; Technical Design; Textile Design; Knitwear Design; Accessory Design; Costume Design; Fashion Illustration; Fashion Journalism; Fashion Merchandising and Visual Merchandising.

Academy of Art University

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