At the Triax community, facilitated by resident artist Gemma Walker Farren, participants continued their journey through theatre, music and storytelling. The group’s flexible and participant led approach allowed those involved to explore their own creative interests while contributing to a growing body of collective work. Using words and phrases generated during previous sessions, participants transformed written reflections into original musical compositions, bringing powerful themes of isolation, fear, resilience and hope to life through voice, and an array of instruments.
The group also took their creativity outdoors, creating a spoken-word trail through Creggan Country Park where poems, recordings and reflections invited visitors to slow down and engage with both landscape and story. Later in the month, musician Maeve Leehy joined the group, helping develop original compositions through an unforgettable session featuring keening, bodhráns, tambourines, dance and song. These explorations are feeding into an upcoming public event focused on mourning the planet and responding creatively to environmental challenges, moving from themes of loss and ecological grief towards renewal and hope.
Meanwhile, along the River Faughan, resident artist for the Faughan community Julie Griffiths continued her immersive exploration of the river and its communities. Her ongoing walk along the Faughan has already led to memorable encounters, including spotting an otter and engaging with local landowners along the route.
The Faughan Valley group spent May connecting deeply with nature. At Brackfield Woods, participants foraged for reeds, flowers and leaves, transforming them into beautiful weavings, wall hangings and natural artworks. At Oakfire Adventures, discussions around biodiversity and habitat protection inspired ideas for a Slow Walking Toolkit, while participants also learned the art of sourdough bread making, embracing themes of slowing down, sharing skills and reconnecting with traditional practices. The month concluded at Ashbrook House, where participants created stunning botanical prints using flowers, sunlight and photographic paper.
Beyond the community groups, Artitude continued to grow in exciting ways. The Playhouse hosted the Artitude Zine Exhibition, showcasing creative responses and reflections emerging from the project. The launch of the @artitude.project Instagram page has created a new platform for sharing stories, artworks and opportunities from across the programme. The Artitude Storyteller Circle continued to connect participants through shared narratives and lived experiences, while at Repair & Share Foyle HQ, a jewellery upcycling workshop explored creativity through repair, demonstrating how discarded materials can be transformed into something beautiful and meaningful.
Artitude joined forces with Repair & Share Foyle again during Reuse & Repair Week, taking part in their 4th Birthday Celebration in the Great Hall at Magee University. Textile reuse workshops invited participants to reimagine unwanted fabrics through creative making, highlighting the environmental benefits of repair, reuse and extending the life of materials that might otherwise go to waste.
Across every strand of the project, May highlighted the power of creativity to build connection, spark conversation and imagine positive futures together.
