Young People in Dales Explore Climate Change Through Art
Young people from across the Dales have come together with artists and environmental scientists to respond creatively to the relationship between our local landscape and the impact of climate change.
Taking inspiration from the Yorkshire Dales landscape and the Wild Ingleborough initiative, young people from across the area joined with university students returning home to the area from Leeds, The Hague, London and Carlisle to create artwork that reflects their concerns and questions about our changing environment.
The project, called All Our Land, is funded by Natural England and Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and led in a partnership between Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust (YDMT), printmaker and artist Philippa Troutman and artist Tony Stephenson.
“Connection to nature”
Anthea Hanson is the All Our Land project officer from YDMT. She said: “We brought people together once a month to engage in meaningful discussions about the environment. At times the conversations were very challenging; and you can see that the artwork is stunning and thought-provoking. The young people were aided by what they saw in the local environment as well as contributors from local organisations. The artists then introduced a mixture of methods and media for participants to choose from. They were given the opportunity to experience printmaking, embossing, weaving, clay work, working with withies, plaster casting and woodwork.”
One participant said: “I have engaged with my creative side for the first time in ages. This has nurtured my connection to nature and affirmed my decision to search for a career in sustainability,” whilst another added: “I want the messages to speak for themselves within the artwork and really say how important action is.”
Since March last year, the project has worked with Sarah Wiltshire and Richard Boothman (ACE Action on Climate Emergency – Settle), Tom Lord (Farmer of Lower Winskill Farm – Langcliffe), Dr Cat Scott and Dr Dominick Spracklen (Environmental Scientists from Leeds University), Claire Hodgson (Project Officer – Yorkshire Dales Our Common Cause: Our Uplands Commons) and Ellie Parker (Wild Ingleborough Community Engagement Officer).
The creative conversations and artwork produced through the All our Land project can be viewed at The Folly Museum and Gallery in Settle until December 2022.
