Sustainability Horizons Exhibition at Castlepollard Library

'Sustainability Horizons' exhibition was officially opened on Thursday 21st November in  Castlepollard Library by local multi-disciplinary artist, Andrea Cullen. Andrea is well known for her work with Cúige Studios in Mullingar, and further afield thanks to her recent success as artistic director for Bressie’s “Where is My Mind’ tour.
 
The works on view in this show are the results of a community-centred collaboration between Westmeath libraries, a sustainability educator and 2 local eco-literate artists.
 
This innovative project was born of an original concept by Dearbhla Sheridan of Westmeath Libraries. It was designed to combine sustainability education, community, and creativity through a series of in person workshops on-site in Castlepollard library. The resulting exhibition offers an opportunity for discussion and raises awareness for any library visitors.
 
The workshops were facilitated by Anna Browne (bigskyflowers.ie), Teresa Doyle (https://teresadoyledolls.ie/) and Bertille de Lestrade (instagram.com/studiobleuvintage/). Each session began with a discussion of a particular topic related to the climate crisis. During the remaining time, the artists supported the participants in crafting a response to that initial discussion. 
 
The first ‘Taking a Leaf’ session looked at underground biodiversity and the power of photosynthesis. A subsequent workshop looked at ‘Turning over a new leaf’ to adopt more sustainable practices, and taking a leaf out of each others books to identify those practices.
 
‘Let’s go Bananas’ looked at carbon footprints, genetic diversity - or lack thereof, and food waste.
 
‘Flower Power’ was an exploration of the global flower industry and what we can do to support pollinators and be aware of where our cur flowers and foliage come from.  
 
All the exceptional work in the exhibition has been created by local participants without any formal training in the arts and represents their innate response to the ongoing climate crisis. The exhibition runs until Monday, 2nd December. This work was generously funded by Creative Ireland and Westmeath County Council through Westmeath Libraries.