Intertidal Arts

A series of four bilingual workshops funded by Gwynedd council

The focus of these workshops was to take art making outdoors, connect more deeply with the landscape in an immediate way and to dive into the richness of intertidal, estuarial spaces in Gwynedd.

Over the couses of four days we went to AberOgwen, a ecologically rich mudflats over looking Traeth Lafan comprising of a day outdoors and a day in the studio. Then a morning walking up to Moel Faban where both the mountains of Eryri can be seem above the Traeth Lafan, followed by a half day in the studio. Finally one day at Gwaith Powdr above the tidal ebbings and flowings of Afon Dwyryd, with the group moving between the stuido space and the outdoors throughout the day. 

I choose these places due to their liminal, dynamic and ecologically rich character with consideration being given to the practicalities of access, with one site being accessible to those who are less mobile.

Each participant was provided with a kit of art materials to take outdoors in a small portable box, participants were introduced to using new materials included pigment rich inks. Materials such as acrylics which are potentially harmful to the environment were excluded.

Each day was designed to combine time outside and inside so that we had direct sensory connection to the natural environment and time inside to work more carefully into sketches and to create artists books. I supported the group with guided nature-based mindfulness, poetry, and a list of activities to try, to support them to make sketches in response to their felt sense and connection with nature.

Each workshop was run by myself and a Welsh speaking artist, we gave space for Welsh speakers to participate through the medium of Welsh, and space for Welsh learners to practice, we created a glossary of Welsh/English words which related to the workshop and nature.