Community Projects

Client

Date

Location

Community Project:

My Visual Plan for these participatory projects

Community Art Practice: Explained by the Artist Evelyn Sorohan

My Community Projects bring together diverse, intercultural, and intergenerational groups to explore issues that are important to them. These projects primarily focus on environmental and social concerns. They provide participants with the opportunity to collaborate creatively, using art to reflect on both local and global issues. The artwork created during these projects is made from locally sourced sustainable materials or waste streams, such as leftover paint and plastics, which are derived from fossil fuels. Interestingly, I have found that participants often highlight plastic waste when discussing waste in general. Many admit they were unaware that plastic is made from byproducts of oil. As they chat and create in a safe studio environment, they remain open to learning about environmental issues. I use plastics as a starting point to delve into the broader impacts of all fossil fuel products and the harm they are causing to our climate. I invite participants to join me in experiments that involve creating and interacting with ice and wind. Pro Edwards Hawkins Warming Stripes are reflected upon and debated.

Native Wildflower Planting as part of a community project in Killeshandra, Co Cavan. (2024)

These activities help them gain a better understanding of rising sea levels, increasing temperatures, and the sustainable alternatives that humanity needs to consider. In 2024, Creative Clare provided funding for me to facilitate projects with the Ennis Men’s Shed, the Ennis Environmental Group, and the Ennis Tidy Towns groups. Additionally, I led an intergenerational project as part of the Ennis Creative Schools Programme.

Other community groups that I've been fortunate to facilitate projects with are:

International Erasmus Teachers within the Clare Education Centre Erasmus programme
Quin Heritage Group
Kilmaley Meithael
Teachers from Clare
Ennis Voices for Autism (I've established a creative programme for neurodiverse children and teens in Clare)

Enjoy looking at the gallery images below to see photos of these projects.

Biodiversity Project that I am working on with our local Mens Shed for Clare Co. Co. Urbacht Project (2024/25)

My Participatory Community Environmental Practice Defined

My participatory community projects are defined as creative eco-learning and making that goes beyond “mere consultations” with participants, and aim to activate critical thinking and decision-making, transforming participants into active citizens.

A participant doing my creative ice experiment during my participatory event in Glor Studio, Ennis. (These sessions were led by performance artist Rachel Mc Manus) (2024)