Just thought I would let you know that the UK is having its first Art & Forestry conference in the UK this week June 10, 09 as part of the RSA Art & Ecology programme). I did a solo exhibition and public film screening at The Dock in 2006 on ‘the local project’ about the large amount of broadleaf forests that were planted by local Leitrim people in the early nineties across Co. Leitrim (it was a Crann initiative led by Jan Alexander and funded by the Irish Forest Service).

Since then I’ve used the knowledge I have gained working with foresters on a SLOW Art forest project in my own wood in south Co. Carlow. My art & ecology notebook blog documents an ongoing diary in images, short films conversations between myself, foresters, our local community & beyond, detailing an example of how we are turning our small 20 year old monoculture spruce plantation into an ecologically & economically sustainable real FOREST.

If you are interested you can see more at http://www.ecoartnotebook.com, my recent short film ‘burning bright’ also selected for Carlow Eigse film festival 2009. I also lead a small art and ecology group online through the Transition Network, http://transitiontownsireland.ning.com/group/tti_artecologygroup which anyone working in this area is welcome to join.

Anyway, thanks to the Dock for initially supporting/showcasing this work,

Cathy Fitzgerald
ecoartnotebook.com