Art of Sustainability event features variety of speakers, issues to make ‘a vibrant Vermillion’

Eco-friendliness, river preservation and cultural sustainability were some of the topics discussed this past Saturday during the fourth Art of Sustainability event at the Vermillion Area Arts Council.

“We have this event every year because it brings up great topics and gets people from all parts of the community talking about sustainability,” event coordinator Morgan Appley said.

The night began with live music and a potluck, and included educational and vendor booths along with multiple speakers.

Heikes Family Farm was one of several vendors at the event.

“This is a great event that we enjoy coming to,” Heidi Heikes said. “We’re learning about the community and they are learning about us.”

Sharing the Dream in Guatemala, an organization that promotes fair trade with businesses in Guatemala, had one educational booth at the event.

Sharing the Dream works to provide fair wages and job opportunities to low-income Guatemalans in hopes of creating sustainable markets.

They fund their mission by selling handmade crafts such as spoons, scarves and other trinkets online and at their location in downtown Vermillion. All crafts are made out of recycled material.

“Staying local is great, (but) other countries need the help,” Jose Nesselhuf, the son of the organization’s founder, said.

The event was home to multiple different conversations concerning sustainability.

Kelsey Collier-Wise, from United Way Vermillion, talked about people making the community how they want.

David Swanson, the Missouri River Institute director, discussed river appreciation and restoration.

Betty Smith, a USD political science professor, articulated how the community can achieve a “vibrant Vermillion,” and Rayna Hernandez, a visual artist, wrapped the night up by speaking about cultural sustainability.

Community members had the chance to participate in Q&A sessions at the end of each speaker’s presentation.

USD students and faculty joined with community members to discuss how to make Vermillion a better place.

“Partnership between the university and the community was emphasized,” Smith said while speaking about making a “vibrant Vermillion.”