The next installment of our Creativity for the Wetlands webinar series takes place on Thursday 29th February at 7:30pm. On the evening hear from artists Jules Michael, Kate Flood and Monica De Bath about the Gnáthóga Nádúrtha (Natural Habitats) project.
The Gnáthóga Nádúrtha project is an ambitious arts-led inquiry, a deeply collaborative series of actions across three natural heritage peatland habitats: Drummin Bog, Co. Carlow; the Cuain Rúisk remnant, Ballydermot Bog, Rathangan, Co. Kildare; and Girley Bog, Co. Meath.
The project is founded on inclusive, creative-led ecological art practices designed to foster community conversations and on-site art activities. Gnáthóga Nádúrtha aims to create awareness and care for these important natural heritage sites, while supporting a deeper understanding of inclusive environmental and social sustainability aims for climate and biodiversity action.
Gnáthóga Nádúrtha is funded by the Arts Council under the Invitation to Collaboration Scheme. The project is led by Carlow Arts Services, in partnership with Kildare Arts Services and Meath Arts Services.
Register for the zoom webinar here: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJArf-qrrjwvEtTUH2XHeaFBB64uvQGJ7Xwf
About the Artists involved in Gnáthóga Nádúrtha
Jules Michael
Jules is a visual artist who also has a community arts practice. Originally from North Mayo, she has been involved with the voluntary community group preserving Drummin Bog since 2018.
Her studio practice uses processes of painting, photography, print-making, drawing and occasional small publications. In her community collaborations, she works across themes based on peatlands and biodiversity and habitat support. She is particularly interested in how old dairy skills, local food production, plant lore and science actions found in and around a peatlands site become a spring-board for embedded methods of sharing stories, creativity and collaborations. And how this can support and promote the care of peatlands in the community, while assisting community aims for climate and biodiversity action at local level.
Kate Flood
Kate Flood is a researcher and educator who became involved in peatland conservation after developing a fascination with the plants of the bog. Kate’s doctoral research focused on cultural values of peatlands and how communities value and interact with these landscapes and contribute to their restoration and resilience. Kate has volunteered with the Girley Bog Meitheal, a community-based group involved in the conservation and management of Girley Bog and conducted research on the social and cultural history of Girley Bog Natural Heritage Area. She is interested in creative exploration with the bog and the communities that interact with it as well as communicating the medicinal, cultural, social and ecological histories and uses of bog plants.
Monica De Bath
Monica’s focus for the Gnáthóga Nádúrtha project is on Iarsma bogach darb ainm Cluain Rúisc / Clonruisk bog remnant. She is an artist and art educator, whose practice is shaped by two languages; and incorporates research, drawing, painting, weaving, publications, seminars exploring peatland and the future of Clonruisk – a sphagnum rich bog remnant.
A Temporary Studio within an industrial Bord na Móna site, informs an ongoing project PLOT / CEAPACH. ‘From walking the site, speaking with the workers, drawing and painting, I became aware of the significance of this ‘local’ place where some of the most critical issues of our time are being played out.’
Current ecological and socially engaged arts projects include workshops and walks in collaboration with local schools, Creative Rathangan Meitheal, and Irish Peatland Conservation Council. She co- delivers an annual Cúrsa Taipéise / Tapestry Weaving for OIdeas Gael in the Donegal Gaeltacht. She is a Creative Associate with Gaelscoileanna and other Schools, many of whom are exploring the non human world as part of their programme.
