This month, both artists continued their creative engagement with communities in the Triax and Faughan areas.

Julie’s group continued their journey along the River Faughan, reaching the river’s mouth. On a beautiful sunny Wednesday evening, participants gathered equipped with chairs, blankets, snacks, and plenty of creativity. They were joined by Belfast-based eco-poet Niamh McNally, who led the group through a series of reflective writing activities.

Niamh invited participants to revisit a childhood memory from when they were six, seven, or eight years old, focusing on an experience connected to water. They were encouraged to think about what they could see, the scents in the air, and the sounds around them—whether it was the crash of the ocean, the rush of a flowing river, or the peaceful stillness of a lake.

The group shared stories from their childhoods, enjoying the opportunity to reconnect with treasured memories and reflect on the role that water had played in shaping those experiences.

Niamh then encouraged everyone to spend some quiet time alone, taking a short walk to find an object that resonated with them. She offered no guidance on what to choose—only that it should be something that spoke to them personally. Participants returned with a variety of found objects, including feathers, sticks, broken shards of pottery, shells, flowers, and other natural treasures. Each person shared the significance of their chosen object before taking part in a final reflective writing exercise inspired by their discoveries.

The workshops have been thoroughly enjoyed by this dedicated group of participants, many of whom have described the experience as "more than they ever expected." The opportunity to come together each Wednesday evening has become an important part of their week, providing a welcome chance to relax, connect with others, and unwind after busy days. For many, the sessions have been an effective midweek stress reliever as well as a space for creativity and reflection.  One participant shared that, prior to joining the workshops, she had never considered herself to be a creative person. Through the process, however, she has discovered and embraced her own creative abilities, highlighting the confidence and personal growth the workshops have delivered.

July also marked the Traix groups performance of their work:

AWAKE FOR CHANGE: A RITUAL PERFORMANCE 

An immersive trail blending story, original music, and performance through the trees of Creggan Country Park. 

A reclamation of traditional wake rituals to help us collectively process climate grief and move towards active hope in a time of crisis. 

This stunning performance took participants on a moving journey through Creggan Country Park and the landscape of grief itself. Beginning indoors, we were introduced to the history of the ancient rath located just outside the park, inviting us to reflect on how life has changed over the centuries while this enduring monument has remained.

We were then immersed in stories of ancient Irish traditions surrounding wakes, grief, and the Otherworld, providing a rich cultural context before the experience moved outdoors. Participants carried a handwoven willow coffin to a woodland clearing, where the performers began singing an original composition. Their passion, powerful vocals, and beautiful harmonies created a deeply emotional atmosphere.

From there, we were invited to pass through a set of curtains, marking the beginning of the immersive walking trail. Along the route, audio recordings featured the group reflecting on grief, the Otherworld, and the idea of seeing with new eyes, while subtle visual installations hidden among the trees encouraged quiet contemplation.

At one point, participants were invited to take a pencil and write about their own grief on a seed-paper token that had been given to us at the start of the experience. This simple but powerful act allowed us to acknowledge and honour our personal losses. We carried these tokens with us until the end of the trail, where we returned to the woodland clearing. There, we planted them in soil within the woven willow coffin, symbolising the possibility of new beginnings as flowers and plants would eventually grow from the seed paper—a poignant reminder that growth can emerge from grief.

The performance concluded with a second rendition of original music, bringing this thoughtful, immersive, and deeply moving experience to a powerful close.