Arts & Community Education
WHEN is built on a strong foundation of community-led, multi-disciplinary, and arts-driven knowledge sharing. From our first documentary projects in the early 1990s, to our Wannabe Toxic Free Campaign and integrative partner events, WHEN teaches individuals and communities how to reduce their risk of illness and injury that can occur from the products we use, the food we eat, the water we drink and the air we breathe in accessible, inspiring ways.
WANNABE TOXIC FREE
WTF? This affects my health. I #WannaBeToxicFree!
WHEN’s #WannaBeToxicFree campaign was initiated in 2016 and has taken many forms, featuring different environmental change makers who highlight the links between our health and the environment. At all our WTF events, we get down to the naked truth and dirty secrets about the toxic chemicals we encounter in our daily lives, and what sexy alternatives are available including actions we can take to reduce exposure and push for legislative change, corporeal citizenship, and decolonial perspectives on toxic mitigation.
In 2024, the Trinity College Integrated Sustainability Initiative became a partner in launching Wannabe Toxic Free 2024: Awareness, Agency, and Collective Action. This event and fair featured sustainable businesses and grassroots organizations, educational booths, two-panel discussions, environmental art, guided mindfulness practices, a silent auction, and live music.
Event Intentions:
i) Inspire embodied awareness of our health as an integral part of our environment through art and science,
ii) Reveal the social injustices of environmental degradation
iii) Promote systemic changes necessary for a better future.
“The fair provided a transformative experience where we began to reimagine our connection to the environment, ourselves and each other – not as separate experiences, but as fundamentally connected pursuits of community and holistic health that are informed by intersectional feminist thinking.”
Panelists discussed embodied and scientific awareness of toxic harm, their social inequalities, and necessary political change. The first panel is a powerful group of academics and activists. Watch the first Panel on Systemic Injustice of Toxics below!
The evening panel included Dr. Sat Dharam Kaur from the Compassionate Inquiry program with Gabor Mate, Dr. Elli Weisbaum of the Buddhism, Psychology and Mental Health Program at New College, and Environmental Justice Storyteller Anna-Liza Badaloo. Watch the second panel on Exposure Prevention in Practice below.
Events like this are made possible by contributions and support from our community. We extent our heartfelt gratitude for all who stand with us in fighting for a healthier planet.
Testimonials
“The positive energy and genuine curiosity of the audience was palpable, and the booths really brought everything together to complement the panels…The musical performances were amazing! I applaud you for overtly including arts-based approaches.” - Anna-Liza Badaloo
“It was a joy and inspiration to be there, and fulfilling to share knowledge. Congratulations on creating such a worthy, interesting, important and informative event…I came away from that event feeling amazed, hopeful, and positive.” - Sat Dharam Kaur
“I thoroughly enjoyed the whole day. The full range of Science, Art and Human Interconnectedness was enriching.” - Event Attendee
“It was a pleasure to represent WHEN on the Systemic Injustices of Toxics Panel and engage in important discussions with such knowledgeable individuals around environmental justice, intersectional feminism and the link between environmental and human health. The WTF event provided a valuable forum for multiple organizations to connect, and the interdisciplinary nature of the event created space for diverse perspectives to be uplifted. Congratulations to WHEN for putting together such a fantastic and well-planned event!” - Kanisha Acharya-Patel
