Plastic Nature!

My journey as a Creative Associate with Ennis National School; Creative School's Programme. Gallery of images from four schools I've worked with as Socially engaged environmental artist.

Client

Ennis Creative School (Part of the Creative School's Programme

Date

Mar 2024

Location

Ennis NS, Co Clare

Plastic Nature!

Reflections on Our Successful Environmental Art Project by facilitator and Creative Associate for the creative School's Programme Evelyn Sorohan

I am incredibly fortunate to serve as the creative associate and artist at Ennis National School as part of their Creative Schools Programme. Over the course of this project, we blended art, sustainability, and STEAM learning to inspire creativity and environmental awareness among the pupils.

A pupil came up with the title of the show saying "Evelyn we need to mind our wildlife, especially when there is so much pollution and climate change. ....(He proceeded to say)," if we are not careful we will only have manmade wildlife in the future, wildlife made from plastic." he excitedly said, "We should call our exhibition Plastic Nature, to make people think about this."

Badger created from waste plastics by pupils in Ennis NS (2024)

Project Beginnings: Creativity & Vision

The journey began with PLAY CLAY SAY sessions, where pupils explored their creative dreams and interests—foundational goals that shaped the direction of the programme. As part of this process, they expressed curiosity about my own artistic practice, which I eagerly shared, sparking a dynamic exchange of ideas.

A shared fascination quickly emerged—an ambitious desire to transform thousands of waste plastics from their homes into large-scale art pieces. Their imaginations soared as they envisioned life-sized installations of native wildlife from Co. Clare. And so, the seeds of this project were planted.

A pupil making a dragonfly in one of the STEAM workshops as part of Plastic Nature Exhibtion (2024)

A Collaborative STEAM Journey

Over the next nine months, we embarked on an inspiring STEAM-based learning experience. The project began with a teacher passionate about nature leading lessons on local biodiversity. Pupils researched and wrote fact files on their favourite species, sketching their chosen wildlife with impressive attention to detail.

Building on this knowledge, I worked with students to explore the lifecycle of plastics—tracing their origins from fossil fuel byproducts to their impact on the environment. This learning was deeply integrated into the school’s Green Schools initiative, seamlessly connecting creativity with sustainability. Together, we collected, repurposed, and transformed waste plastics into striking art installations, fostering both creative expression and critical thinking.

With the enthusiastic support of Mr. Corry and the teaching staff, the project grew into a whole-school endeavor. Principal Ray McInerney championed the hands-on, experiential approach, ensuring that all 700 pupils actively contributed—from brainstorming and planning to designing and building the final works.

I’ll admit, the scale of this project was both thrilling and daunting. Yet, the unwavering enthusiasm of the pupils and teachers provided the momentum needed to bring these ambitious ideas to life. It became clear that creativity, sustainability, and education could powerfully intersect in ways that inspired both students and the wider community.

Exhibiting the Work: From School to Clare Museum Gallery Space

The pupils’ extraordinary artwork caught the attention of Clare Arts Office, which invited them to exhibit in Clare Museum—an exciting opportunity that required expert support for mounting the works. A student connection led us to Ennis Men’s Shed, and I facilitated their involvement as a late-stage project partner. Their collaboration helped bring the pupils’ vision to life, resulting in a stunning public exhibition.

While I curated the show, the children took the lead in the exhibition process—from planning and setup to the public launch, where sixth-class pupils confidently presented their work and eloquently explained the environmental message behind it. Their passion and knowledge were evident, making the event a proud moment for all involved.

The exhibition received fantastic recognition, with local newspapers featuring the project, celebrating the pupils’ achievements as young environmental artists. Over 400 visitors attended during its three-week run, including school groups from across Ennis. To enrich the experience, we developed "Look and Respond" workshops, guiding students through the exhibition to deepen their engagement and learning.

Additionally, as part of the exhibition, I facilitated four Creative Climate Action Workshops for 90 fifth-class pupils, further expanding discussions on sustainability and artistic expression.

One of my favourite pieces; A puffin made by neurodivergent pupils in Ennis NS (2024)

Conclusion: Creativity with Lasting Impact

This project was an extraordinary fusion of creativity, environmental action, and community collaboration. What began as a classroom idea blossomed into a school-wide movement and a public exhibition, leaving a lasting impact on students, teachers, and visitors alike.

By transforming waste into art, the pupils not only developed artistic and critical thinking skills but also became advocates for environmental awareness. Their work stands as a testament to the power of young voices in shaping a more sustainable future.