ARTSCAPE: Environmentally themed creative arts experiences come to Powys

ARTSCAPE, a project involving the creation of community focused, environmentally themed creative arts experiences and events, will soon be coming to three locations in Powys: Brecon, Llandrindod Wells, and Hafren Forest, near Llanidloes. 

A creative partnership between Powys County Council’s arts and cultural service, National Resources Wales, Impelo, 4Pi Productions and Articulture, ARTSCAPE is funded by Arwain, the LEADER* Programme in Powys, Arts Council of Wales and Powys County Council.

Powys is a creative community, with an enthusiasm for the environment and combating climate change. By working with local artists and performers, ARTSCAPE aims to connect Powys communities and the environment through a series of imaginative physical and virtual creative arts experiences.

By finding ways to unite the personal wellbeing of Powys residents with the fight against climate change, the creative arts experiences will take many forms, reflective of the diverse nature of Powys’ artistic community:

In Hafren Forest, there will be a puppetry performance and workshops that respond to climate change. An artist will also be producing music and dance from sounds recorded in the forest, while another is inspired by carbon capture (the forest holds on to carbon, keeping it out of the atmosphere where it can cause harm) and will be making a symbolic piece of artwork with charcoal.

In Llandrindod Wells there will be explorations of dance and movement focused on creative biology, taking inspiration from the woodland (which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest) near the lake.

In Brecon, creatives are using the Island Fields area of town to work with the community on movement activities, printmaking using gathered natural materials, and creating large mandala patterns. There will also be sound-art created out of local recordings and stand-up comedy workshops.

“There is a well-established link between creativity and wellbeing.” explains Cllr Rachel Powell, Powys County Council Cabinet Member for Culture. “Even a small amount of creativity can help us to manage our emotions, explore solutions to problems, and build confidence. This, along with the effects nature can have on wellbeing, can help with physical and mental wellness.

“The creation of the arts and culture lead project, ARTSCAPE is really exciting. By combining creativity, wellbeing, nature, climate and digital platforms, the aim is to collaboratively raise awareness of the climate change crisis and its causes, whilst bringing together and empowering the local communities of Powys.

“Many of the creative activities and experiences will be shared on the ARTSCAPE social media pages for everyone to enjoy.”

The different ARTSCAPE experiences are timed to coincide with Cop26, the United Nations climate change conference in Glasgow (31 October – 12 November 2021) and tie in with the summits theme of nature-based solutions to climate change.