Realigning creative practice and perceptions of nature through collaboration, ecological responsiveness and shared learning.
Chrysalis Arts Development and York St John University present a one-day symposium exploring creative relationships and processes that aim to reset connections with place, nature and artists’ responses to the ecological crisis.
This event will combine presentations, panel discussions, breakout sessions offering a choice of themes and content, and creative activities.
Details
Venue: York St John University
Date: Thursday, 12 June 2025
Fee: £40. Includes buffet lunch, coffee and wine reception.
We are offering a limited number of bursaries to those who would like to attend the symposium but find the cost a barrier. Details to be released soon.
Tickets will go on sale shortly. Please sign up to our mailing list to be updated.
Themes
The programme will address the following themes:
- Collaboration and shared learning: Creative partnerships and transdisciplinary collaborations
- Ecological Responsiveness: our understanding of place and storytelling, durational research and slow art.
- New Narratives and Examination/Beyond the Human: ethical and imaginative connections across species boundaries, the creative use of data to map and explore natural and human environments, including local and global perspectives
The symposium builds on a longstanding collaboration between Chrysalis Arts Development, (CAD) a North Yorkshire-based visual arts organisation, and York St John University. It is designed for artists, including those with an environmental research focus, other creatives, arts and environmental organisations, academics, local authority officers and others working with place-related and environmental issues.
It also draws upon CAD’s current project, ‘Mapping Marton Wood,’ an extended slow art project which weaves artists, ecologists, and the public together focusing on a 6.6-hectare local woodland.
Speakers & Facilitators
The full line up of speakers will be confirmed shortly.
Artists and practitioners confirmed for the symposium include:
Keynote Speaker: Lise Autogena, Artist and Researcher. Professor of Cross-Disciplinary Art at Sheffield Hallam University.
Laura Harrington, Artist.
Rebecca Chesney, Artist.
Dr David Haley, Artist and Ecopedagogue.
Sue Harrison, Artist
Rob Mackay, Composer and Sound Artist.
Simon Pickles, Director, North and East Yorkshire Ecological Data Centre
Panel from Orb Arts.
Chair: Sara Trentham-Black, Senior Lecturer Arts and Cultural Management, Sheffield Hallam University
Exhibition
An exhibition of work commissioned as part of the Mapping Marton Wood project will be shown at the symposium.
Past CAD event participants have said
It was really well held, just the right size, well facilitated, the conversations and questions evolved well, and the presenter and her work were both very inspiring. Thank you!
Fascinating look at an artists practice, where development and deeply considered motives are key
Thoroughly enjoyed the thoughtful approaches to working and reflection.
It has really opened my mind to the possibilities of bringing ecology and sustainability into my own practice, especially in partnership with other organisations.
Supported by Arts Council England, York St John University and Chrysalis Arts Development.
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