New Kids on the Bog: Call for Artists | Deadline: 11/11/2024

In the tranquil landscapes of North Yorkshire, an innovative project is emerging that blends art, ecology, and community involvement to protect and monitor the region’s precious peatlands. This endeavor seeks to amplify the existing “Eyes on the Bog” (EotB) initiative under the Yorkshire Peat Partnership (YPP), aiming to inspire young minds and engage communities in environmental stewardship.

The objective is to foster a deeper connection with peatland habitats by empowering schools and various community groups, such as Scouting chapters, to adopt and monitor specific plots within the peatlands. These groups will be trained to regularly assess the condition of these vital ecosystems, gathering data that showcases how peatland restoration efforts can benefit flood mitigation, carbon storage, water quality, biodiversity, and recreational value.

An integral component of this project is the introduction of ‘totemic markers’ across the landscape. These artistic installations will not only serve as permanent photographing points for documenting ecological changes but will also act as beacons of community engagement and environmental education. By enabling the public to submit images capturing the evolution of these monitoring sites and the associated landscape, the project will enrich the YPP’s ongoing monitoring efforts.

The call for artists seeks two creators from the local or regional area to collaborate with schools and community groups within Wharfedale, North Yorkshire. These commissioned artists will co-design site-specific totemic markers, reflecting the unique relationship that these communities share with the peatland environments.

Through the transformation of abstract ecological concepts into tangible artworks, the totemic markers create an opportunity for deeper public interaction and awareness. Their visually striking presence in the landscape will draw attention, inviting the wider public to engage with the YPP’s initiatives and participate actively in long-term ecological monitoring efforts.

Once appropriate planning permissions are obtained, which will be handled by YPP, these markers are slated to be strategically placed on peatland locations throughout North Yorkshire. While awaiting final installation, YPP will collaborate with landowners to display the markers in nearby community educational spaces, thus previewing their role within the local landscape and extending their reach within public spaces.

The overarching goals of this unique project include:

• Enhancing community involvement and ownership of local ecological monitoring efforts.
• Raising awareness of peatland ecosystems and the benefits of their restoration.
• Encouraging artistic expression as a means of environmental engagement.
• Providing educational opportunities for young people and invigorating local cultural identity.

This inspiring fusion of art and science promises to enrich the communities of North Yorkshire, fostering a legacy of environmental consciousness and creativity. As artists collaborate with young people and local groups to craft these markers, the project aspires to cultivate a generation attuned to the vital interplay between nature and humanity.

Potential applicants for this artistic commission should illustrate an ability to creatively engage with ecological themes and work collaboratively with diverse community groups. The deadline for submissions is set for November 11, 2024.

This call for artists represents a golden opportunity to contribute to a project that seamlessly marries artistic endeavor with ecological purpose, drawing the community into a deeper understanding and appreciation of their natural surroundings. Through this initiative, the recognition of peatlands as vital components of our shared ecological tapestry will gain prominence, celebrating nature’s rugged beauty and essential contributions through the lens of creative expression.