Perspectives of Nature: Connecting people, communities and ecology through creativity

Join artist, designer and aspiring environmentalist Julia Jennings for a talk and workshop that uncovers the deep connections between creativity, community, and the natural world.

In this engaging session, Julia will invite you to explore the hidden narrative of the BCP landscape—stories of our connection to each other and the earth. Through an artistic lens, you’ll discover how memory, emotion, and relationships with people and the natural landscape shape our personal and collective sense of wellbeing.

Julia will share her journey in applying this methodology to conceptualise regenerative design schemes and community projects in an ecology-first approach to creating spaces that dissolve the boundaries between built and natural environments. By uniting art, community, and nature, these designs aim to foster a more harmonious relationship for the wellbeing of all.

The accompanying workshop will offer a hands-on process to help you visualize your own unique connections to your surroundings. Using creative practice as a tool, participants will weave together their experiences, feelings, and sense of place to form personal narratives that celebrate interconnectedness, care, and creativity.

Come along to explore, reflect, and reconnect—through creativity, the natural landscape, and the possibilities of a thriving, interconnected world.

WHAT TO BRING

Drawing and or collage materials - whatever medium you prefer. Select a few photos or digital images of natural environments and features, wildlife and people that hold relevance to your life currently or in the past. Keep it simple whether it be a regular outing or holiday destination, a family members garden, or even just the route to your local shop.

About the Artist

Julia is a member of a local group of freelancers collaboratively known as The Vireo Collective, who undertake design and creative community projects with an ecology first ethos. Trained as an architectural designer, countryside manager and illustrator Julia combines research, art, ecology and community engagement in an interdisciplinary approach to regenerative design. The collective's focus on the use of creativity as a medium for communication aims to unite community groups in land stewardship as part of the ecosystems of their locale.

About OSC

Open School Creative is a collaboration between BEAF Arts Co and TOSH (The Old School House) to support our community of artists and their artistic development at all stages of their career. OSC events and workshops are for artists interested in collaboration, skills development, community and networking.

Getting to us at TOSH

If you are coming by foot or by bus, take the M2 bus and get off near Boscanova if coming from Southbourne, or the stop after Aldi if coming from Poole and Bournemouth. If you are coming by car we would recommend parking in the sovereign centre car park.

Pokesdown for Boscombe train station is a 15-20 minute walk to TOSH, along Christchurch Road.

TOSH has accessible toilets and kitchen facilities. If you have any access needs you would like to let us know about, please feel free to email us: contact@toshspace.co.uk

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