Tips and tricks
Blue Patch is participating in the 2026 Artists Open House which is part of the Dulwich Festival.
To mark this, we ran a webinar to share ideas on how to create a more sustainable creative practice in the shadow of the climate crisis.
The discussion reflected on the roots of the environmental movement from Rachel Carson’s seminal research and work ‘Silent Spring’ to Hot, Flat and Crowded by Thomas L Friedman.
And, just before the Dulwich Festival opens, the People’s Emergency Briefing‘ film launches – make sure to see it, don’t get left behind in the biggest industrial revolution of our lifetime.
Against this backdrop, creativity was framed not as separate from the climate challenge, but as part of the response.
Practical climate action
Blue Patch’s work with creative businesses focuses on practical action.
This includes workshops, courses, one-to-one support and tools such as a carbon calculator to help artists and makers understand emissions linked to their studios, materials and energy use.
The conversation highlighted everyday challenges, from measuring energy use in shared or home studios to reducing waste from paints, packaging, kiln firing and water use.
The overall message was clear: sustainability in the arts does not mean compromising creativity. It means becoming more aware of materials, processes and energy use, and finding better ways to make, share and collaborate.
Small changes, taken seriously, can help artists reduce impact while strengthening the integrity of their practice.
Tips list
- Audit your studio energy use, even if you work from home.
- If your studio is part of your home, estimate usage by dividing bills by main rooms or floor area.
- Switch to a renewable electricity supplier where possible.
- Reduce high-energy processes by batching tasks, such as kiln firings.
- Explore lower-temperature materials and processes where suitable.
- Review the environmental impact of paints, solvents, glazes and other inputs.
- Clean brushes and tools carefully to reduce plastic and chemical waste entering drains.
- Reuse packaging and storage materials wherever possible.
- Share, swap or donate surplus materials instead of discarding them.
- Track what you throw away to identify avoidable waste.
- Be mindful of water use in cleaning and production.
- Consider the footprint of digital activity, printing and transport as well as physical materials.
- Ask suppliers clearer questions about sourcing and environmental standards.
- Join peer networks such as Blue Patch’s Facebook group ‘The UK’s sustainability -minded business community‘.
- Share knowledge, materials and practical solutions.
- Treat sustainability as an ongoing practice of improvement, not perfection.
- Be informed and curious – change has to happen.
We’d love to meet you!
Blue Patch will be exhibiting at The Hub, 42 Boner Rd, SE15. 16-17 May 2026
Learn about Blue Patch’s membership.