Artist | Arts Facilitator | Arts & Health Practitioner

Connection to Heritage

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Inland Waterways: The Camcor River is the lifeblood of Birr’s industrial and natural history.

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Flora & Fauna: We will document the specific riverbank biodiversity (ferns, reeds, stones, leaves, findings and wildflowers).

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Scientific History: While Sir John Herschel, scientist and astronomer invented the cyanotype process in 1842, Anna Atkins was the one who saw its potential for scientific documentation. Cyanotype was popularized by Atkins (the first female photographer) in the 1840s—the same era the Great Telescope was being built in Birr. This aligns perfectly with Birr’s identity as a "Science Town." The connection to photography at Birr runs even deeper through Mary Rosse. A pioneering photographer herself, she began her photographic work in the 1850s, shortly after the Atkins/Telescope era. 

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Methodology Process & Participant Engagement

Under my professional creative guidance and facilitation, this 12-session initiative will empower participants from both Avista centers in Birr (Riverview & Ashbrook) to become active co-creators in the artistic process. I will lead both groups through a structured three-phase process, exploration, creation, and assembly, culminating in the collaborative installation of The Blue Vein Project.

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Phase 1: The Gathering (Sensory Exploration) I will conduct "heritage walks with the groups" along the Camcor river. Participants will collect fallen leaves, river stones etc. For those with limited mobility, "sensory bins" of river materials will be brought to both the Avista centres.

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Phase 2: The Alchemy (Creative Production) Participants will place their collected river items on the material and exposing them to the Offaly sunlight (or by using a uv lightbox) when in cloudcover. The exposed prints are then washed in water (to develop) and hung up to dry.

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Phase 3: The Flow (Collaborative Assembly) In this final phase, I will lead participants in a collaborative collage assembly, physically bridging our individual prints into a singular, large-scale installation. By hand-joining the paper elements into an abstract, undulating sequence, we will collectively mirror the organic flow of the Camcor. This communal process ensures that the final exhibit, "The Blue Vein Project," is more than a representation of water—it is a physical manifestation of community connection, built by the very hands that captured its light.

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Addressing Climate Change

By documenting the current flora & fauna in the Camcor vacinity, we are creating a visual archive of the river’s health. We will use eco-friendly, non-toxic chemicals, highlighting the importance of keeping our waterways clean and free from synthetic pollutants.

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Proposed Outcomes & Impact

• For Participants: Development of fine motor skills, sensory stimulation, and a sense of pride through creative visibility.

• For the Community: A high-quality cyanotype indoor art installation that encourages viewers to look at the Camcor River through a lens of creativity, conservation and history.

• Public Exhibit: The final piece will be exhibited during Birr Vintage Week & Heritage Week (TBA)

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Summary: My goal as an artist and facilitator is to continuously evolve my practice while empowering others through the shared joy of creativity.

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Project Timeline

March - June 2026

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Community engagement - the final paper collage  / installation is on public display in Birr during Birr Vintage Week & Arts Festival 2026 / and  National Heritage Week 2026, Venue TBC.