Running October - December 2023, Living Futures Saturdays is a monthly event series featuring climate-engaged presenters from a variety of disciplines. Join us as we listen, learn, and create community and new knowledge.
Our December 2 event will feature presentations from NASA climate scientist, activist, and author Peter Kalmus and artist Natalia Torres Del Valle, followed by community conversation and connection. Individual tickets are now available for in-person attendance at perfect lovers in Durham, NC, or via livestream.
TOPICS
Peter Kalmus: "Showing Up”
Climate scientist, activist, and author Peter Kalmus will talk about the science he does and why (based on that science) he doesn't feel it's even optional for him to engage in climate civil disobedience. He'll explain what he’s been up to as an activist, talk about dynamics in the movement, and and offer some "how to” tips on showing up, so as to encourage creative and risky activism from the audience.Natalia Torres Del Valle: “Exploring Eco-Grief through Creative Expression”
Eco-artist and expressive arts therapist Natalia Torres del Valle will discuss her transition to using natural materials in her practice. In this interactive presentation, Natalia will lead participants through an expressive arts therapy exercise to reflect on our collective experience of eco-grief. Materials will be provided but feel free to bring a sketchbook or journal.
About the Presenters
Peter Kalmus
Peter Kalmus is a data scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory as an associate project scientist at UCLA's Joint Institute for Regional Earth System Science & Engineering. In addition to his scientific work, he is the author of the book, Being the Change: Live Well and Spark a Climate Revolution. A documentary by the same title complements the book. In addition to authoring articles about climate change, he is the founder of the website noflyclimatesci.org and co-founder of the app, Earth Hero: Climate Change.Natalia Torres Del Valle
Natalia Torres del Valle is an artist who works out of her studio in Hillsborough, NC and a 2023 Acadia National Park Artist-in-Residence. She is a Registered Expressive Arts Therapist through the International Expressive Arts Therapy Association and a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate. Her work is created with foraged soils and rocks, earth-based pigments, and lake pigments from plants. Her process often entails discovering what is underneath the surface and responding to the unpredictable forms that emerge. She repeatedly builds up and erodes the image to break down layers of color, mirroring the erosion of the environment. A constant exploration of the ephemerality of a material, landscape, and memory.