Phase two is still very much taking shape - but that’s the nature with arts based projects. Rather than following a rigid plan, they tend to evolve organically, shaped by the people who take part, the conversations that happen and the experiences shared along the way. 

My main contact on the Artitude project is the Playhouse’s Jack McGarrigle. Jack is brilliant to work with - hugely creative and deeply committed to community arts. Jack showed me his plans for the additional short term projects that will run alongside the two residential projects that are currently underway. He has a list of exciting artists lined up to work across the North West - all very diverse but with a common interest in climate, culture and circularity.

The two resident artists that have been invited to work with communities in the Triax and Faughan areas of Derry / Londonderry, respectively, are Gemma Walker-Farren and Julie Griffiths. 

Gemma is a theatre maker, storyteller, performer, facilitator and writer and one half of the award winning duo MakeyUppers. She writes and performs regularly in a diverse array of projects and is skilled at creating fun, engaging, interactive experiences with people who have never performed before.

Julie is an artist, activator, cultivator and educator. Her work revolves around broad themes of ecosophy, hospitality and care. Her training is in textile design and she frequently borrows tactile processes of weaving, stitching, turning, tying and crafting to help unfold conversations in her collaborative projects.

On Thursday 5th March, I had the pleasure of attending one of the phase 2 Artitude workshops at the Playhouse, dedicated to the Triax catchment area and facilitated by Gemma. The aim of these workshops is to build relationships between communities and artists whilst exploring themes around climate justice, nature, waste, consumption and climate action. Running until July 2026, the outcomes will largely be shaped by the participants themselves… It’s very much a journey of discovery…

As the workshop filled up, we spent some time getting to know each other. The group was quite diverse - ladies from the Brandywell who weren't completely sure why they were there - but very willing to give it a go… a mother rushing in the door a little bit flustered after dedicating all her time and energy to her kids costumes for World Book Day… a brave guy who had recently moved to Derry and was curious about the project (he loved singing too)... some friends and acquaintances who regularly follow Gemma’s work and enjoy the creative escape that these workshops bring…

Gemma had arranged a special guest for the evening - Maeve Leahy from Music Kin -  who came to lead a singing workshop centred around the themes of climate injustice. I have to admit - I didn’t know what to expect and felt a little out of my comfort zone - however, that feeling didn’t last long…

We began by sitting in a circle chatting about music and what it means to us. Maeve then encouraged us to warm up our bodies and vocal chords with enormous and playful stretches and before we knew it we were all singing and dancing without a care in the world. The singing broke out into harmonies and allowed everyone to feel part of a tribe, or to stay as an individual. The experience was very powerful, fluid, and fitting with the subject of the songs. … It was joyful, energising and just what I needed after a long day myself - a chance to clear the noise in my head and live in the moment… letting creativity lead the way.

… Put your roots down, put your feet on the ground, you can hear what she says if you listen…

That’s the sound of the river as it moves across the stones… It's the same sound as the blood in your body as it moves across your bones… are you listening… Are you listening… Are you listening…?

So - what can I take away from the evening? A feeling of connectedness, excitement, creativity, togetherness, harmony, escapism, activism…

Someone shouted - “Lets have a bare foot rave in the woods” and the room burst into laughter and agreement. Another shouted - “a theatre production in the woods!” and everyone cheered…

Who knows - maybe something might happen in the woods, the creation of a new song - or an unexpected piece of art… whatever it is - the ideas have started to flow like the river in the song…

There’s a beauty in projects like Artitude. They start with a conversation, a few curious people in a room with the courage to start something new… and from there - anything can grow…

What’s next? I’m now really looking forward to meeting with Julie in the Faughan area to see how her workshops are taking shape…