Youth Ecology Art is a programme for 13 to 17 year-olds at Butler Gallery. It offers young people interested in art, ecology, biodiversity and sustainability, the opportunity to work with and learn from professional artists.

This is an excellent and unique opportunity for young people to creatively engage with the climate response while learning new skills and meeting like-minded young people and mentors. The programme is delivered with social inclusion at its core and all activities are free.

In 2026 Butler Gallery is delighted to announce Tasneem Khan as the Youth Ecology Art Programme Curator. 

Tasneem Khan: Diver, Sailor, Photographer, Artist, Adventurer, Biologist, Educator.

I am a biologist, artist, educator, photographer and adventurer, exploring how people relate to, engage with and learn from place. My practice is rooted in an evolving study on the literacy of landscape - working through creative science communication, field research, the development of shared-value enterprises, the designing of immersive learning pedagogy, documenting and archiving community-held knowledge systems. Each of my projects involve facilitating interdisciplinary initiatives in the fields of ecology, conservation, education, art and creative production.

For more information you can contact Tasneem at [email protected]

 

Saturday Sept 12th 

Through The Charcoal Lens

Youth Ecology Art invites participants to experience artist Jen Castle’s practice first-hand, through her friend and collaborator, ecologist Tasneem Khan, who leads the Youth Ecology Art programme at Butler Gallery.

The group will gather at Butler Gallery before walking together to Jen’s solo exhibition, Through a Charcoal Lens: an Spéir ARK and its Native Plants, at Mayfair Library, reading the landscape ecologically along the way.

At the library, Jen will share insights into her creative process and the ideas behind the exhibition, followed by a hands-on charcoal drawing workshop inspired by the work on display.

13th -14th May — Schools Open Day (school / students audience)
 

The Drift Lab: Make, Break, Imagine : Open Studio
Drop in, explore, and take over the space. This open studio invites students to experiment
across making, imagining, and message-based work—at their own pace. Try out different
creative stations, contribute to a shared installation, or simply spend time in a space designed
for ideas, expression, and exchange.
Help shape what this space could become.