Using Art to Connect Community With Nature
Sarah Garrod – Photo Workshop
Sarah Garrod is keeping an early form of photography alive, known as cyanotype, through her Photo Workshop. The session took place in Thamesmead, London, as part of the Making Space for Nature programme. Sarah used art to connect people in the community with nature, harnessing the sun to develop photographic prints.
As an artist based in London, Sarah has worked with teenagers to teach them about plants. Recognising that urban environments have limited access to nature, she was motivated to incorporate an element of education in her Photo Workshop. She believes, “It is important to know about the environment so we can learn about climate change and respect nature.”
The cyanotype photo printing technique uses plants and natural sunlight to produce prints. This provided an opportunity for participants to engage with nature in a hands-on way:
“The process is enjoyable and fun. It teaches people about light, vitamin D and photosynthesis. The stronger the sun, the stronger the colour of the print.”
Remembering back to the day of the Photo Workshop, Sarah said, “It turned out to be the best workshop I have ever done! The weather was fantastic. The workshop was full and people even brought friends along.”
The workshop began with a short tour by local gardener, Bryan, who introduced different plants growing in the garden. As an older Thamesmead resident with a wealth of knowledge, Bryan fascinated the younger participants with his knowledge about soil. In return, their youthful energy and enthusiasm to learn encouraged him to share his skills and experience.
At the workshop, Sarah said, “There was a mix of long-term local residents and people who were new to the area. They all chatted and interacted with each other throughout the workshop and made new connections.” In today’s world, when many people feel disconnected from each other and nature, projects like this help to bridge the gap and create a space for people to come together.
Sarah is also working on a project with a local photographer, Uy Hoang, to create a virtual tour of Birchmere Garden, a community space in Thamesmead. Sarah will host an art workshop and the finished pieces will be displayed as interactive points of interest on the tour.
Sarah’s Photo Workshop is an excellent example of using art to connect people with nature art. Projects like these provide an opportunity for people to learn about and connect with the environment while promoting well-being and community. We can all take inspiration from this project and find ways to introduce more connections with nature in our own lives. Why not start by taking a walk in a local park, planting a garden, or participating in a community-led project?
Find Sarah’s work on her website: www.sarahgarrod.co.uk
Read more stories from Making Space for Nature participants in Thamesmead:
Making Waves In The Fight Against Waste: Community-Led Action
Unleashing Your Inner Child: The Story Of The Moss Monsters
Building Bridges Through Bird Boxes: Empowering Young People For Environmental Change
Uncovering the Secrets of Thamesmead’s Community Gardens
Making Space for Nature
The Making Space for Nature (MSFN) programme is part of the CLEVER Cities project in Thamesmead, London, that provides opportunities for local residents to create a greener and happier community through innovative solutions. MSFN is managed by CLEVER Cities, Groundwork London, Peabody and Greater London Authority.