The Art of Nature – Protecting our Forests and Oceans
Big Ideas and Sustainable Solutions – Creative Approaches to the environment, sustainability and social justice
Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality presents The Art of Nature: Protecting Our Forests and Oceans,a unique project using the arts, creative methodologies, and digital technologies in the Cahersiveen and South Kerry area to celebrate the beauty of forests and oceans, the importance of biodiversity, and our deep connections to nature. The project uses the arts and creativity to promote practical awareness-raising and training in relation to environmental justice, with a focus on biodiversity, sustainability, and human rights.
The Art of Nature runs from August 2025 to July 2026 and is implemented by Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality in partnership with Acard and The Barracks Heritage Centre, Cahersiveen, supported by South Kerry Development Partnership CLG, Leader Programme 2023–2027. The focus is on sustainable development for the rural environment. A Project Information and Biodiversity Leaflet will be distributed to share information on biodiversity, connections between the forests and the ocean, and the magic of local biodiverse green spaces and ways to protect those spaces into the future.
This project aims to work with local communities in the Cahersiveen area to raise awareness and identify practical measures to be implemented to build the health and resilience of biodiversity in our areas, contributing to broader environmental efforts, both locally and globally. The aim is to use creative processes and digital technologies alongside skills development to build local capacity to promote biodiversity and sustainability linked to social justice and to identify key steps local communities can take to ensure the long-term sustainability of the country and to protect and nurture the natural environment.
The project beautifully intertwines live performance and creative science-based workshops with environmental themes, to promote biodiversity and sustainability linked to social justice. Artists working on the project include Mary Moynihan, a writer, poet, and creator of art and photography; Ciara Hayes, Arts Facilitator and Producer; and Freda Manweiler, Arts Facilitator and Producer. Activities include 10 environmental performing art roadshows featuring a promenade show called The Art of Trees followed by a town-hall style meet-up or discussion forum and 10 science-based creative art workshops conducted with five schools, five community groups and the general public.
The Earth naturally captures more than half of the CO2 released into the atmosphere, with its forests and oceans playing a critical role as carbon sinks. However, this role is being compromised by deforestation and ocean acidification – two issues that are squarely on the agenda for negotiations in relation to climate justice. Cahersiveen and the surrounding areas of the South Kerry region are rich in natural assets. However, the natural environment including the oceans, forests, trees and plants are experiencing increased pressure in relation to biodiversity. Join The Art of Nature as we work together to support the environment and protect biodiversity into the future.
The project promotes learning and awareness raising in relation to what can be done to promote climate justice, using the arts to reflect on the importance of biodiversity and our connections to nature. Our environmental strand aims to raise awareness of links between forests and oceans and the fact that oceans and landmass play a vital role in capturing and storing carbon dioxide (CO2) released into the atmosphere. The project will focus on the importance, care, restoration and growth of forests (on land and sea), trees, plants, and seaweeds and on the quality and care of oceans, and how these are all linked to the quality of life for humans, promoting biodiversity and climate justice into the future.
The project is funded by the South Kerry Development Programme as part of the Leader Partnership 2023-2027.
Images from a biodiversity workshops with @talesbysusan which took part in schools in the Cahersiveen area, as part of #TheArtofNature: Protecting our Forests and Oceans.
PAST EVENTS
The Art of Trees by Mary Moynihan
Live performance and post-show discussion reflecting on trees and forests, the importance of biodiversity and our connections to nature. Each show is followed by a town-hall style community meet-up (post show discussion) to discuss creative ways to protect the environment and human rights. The Guest Speaker is Elis Martinelli from Sea Synergy Marine Awareness Centre, Cahersiveen, County Kerry.
The Art of Trees by Mary Moynihan is a live, immersive, environmental performance blending theatre, poetry, and music to celebrate the beauty of trees and forests, the importance of biodiversity, and our deep connections to nature. Enjoy a magical performance, as we regale you with storytelling, poetry and music reflecting on trees and forests, the importance of biodiversity and our deep connections to nature.
The show was presented for ten performances including:
- Tech Amergin Arts and Education Centre, Waterville, County Kerry V23 A243
Friday 17 April 2026, 8pm
- St John the Baptist Church, School Road, Valentia Island, County Kerry V23 TY72
Saturday 18 April 2026, 7pm
Open Call
As part of the Art of Nature project, Smashing Times will conduct creative science-based workshops with environmental themes and roadshow performances with schools and community groups in the local area. If your school or community group would like to get involved in a creative workshop or a roadshow, please contact Freda Manweiler at freda@smashingtimes.ie
Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality
Visual Art Gallery and Centre for the Arts and Human Rights: 30 Sandycove Road, Sandycove, Dublin A96V9P1
Dublin Office: Coleraine House, Coleraine Street, Dublin 7, Ireland.
Cork Office: Civic Trust House, 50 Pope’s Quay, Cork, T12R6XC
Tel: + 353 (0) 1 865 6613 Tel: + 353 (0) 87 221 4245
Email: freda@smashingtimes.ie
F: www.facebook.com/smashingtimescentre
I: @smashingtimes
