Donate
Sunday 5th October
Free
Morning 10.30am-12.30pm: Guided Walk and Talk
We’ll begin the day with a short excursion, led by Maria Cullen, who will share a fascinating insight into fungi and lichens, featuring a range of shapes, colours, and textures. Some of these specimens have historically been used for dyeing wool, and we'll discuss their ecological roles, cultural uses, and potential for creative experimentation.
Using hand lenses and a microscope, we’ll take a closer look at the often unseen micro-world of fungi, bryophytes, algae, soil, and rock. Participants will explore the micro-world of fungi and associated bryophytes, algae, soil, rock.
Afternoon: 1.30pm-3.00pm: Drawing workshop
After lunch, Soil Project residency artist Laura will facilitate an art making workshop focused on expanded approaches to drawing and mark-making. There will be foraging, making and experimenting, with a focus on natural, ecological materials. Soil matter and fungi will be included too in this creative, exploratory and mindful workshop.
About
Maria Cullen serves on the boards of several Irish charities (including IEN), The Organic Centre and Woodlands of Ireland and she is currently Vice President of the Irish Geological Association. As a geologist and biologist, Maria has worked in Ireland and overseas on botanical and mycological biodiversity surveys, woodland management and policy, research on the impacts of air pollution, taxonomic education, museum curation, fungal genetics and plant/tree health. Maria’s primary degree is in Natural Sciences and she carried out postgraduate research in geochemistry and an M. Sc. in Mycology.
The Soil Project:
The Soil Project is an annual commission at Butler Gallery which supports invited artists to create participatory projects which connect deeply with our environment. The resident artist in 2025 is Laura Ní Fhlaibhín.
