‘When a system is far from equilibrium, small islands of coherence have the capacity to shift the entire system’ –
Ilya Prigogine
I’m delighted to share that The Hollywood Forest Story, my ongoing creative ecosocial art practice, is now showcased in the online Creative Carbon Scotland Library of Creative Sustainability. My deep understanding that ecoliteracy and fluency in expansive ecosocial values for personal, collective and planetary wellbeing are urgently needed across the creative sector and education in general, grew from my firsthand creative practice and practice-led review of my ongoing Hollywood Forest ecological art practice and forest restoration/rewilding work, and others’ similar practices in my doctoral work.
Developing Haumea Ecoversity was thus forged by firsthand experiences of the challenges and possibilities that arise when we connect creativity and ecological understanding. Wiser, more compassionate, beautiful and life-sustaining creative endeavours result. Sometimes even the smallest of creative endeavours, guided by broader ecosocial values can help us see and act for a better world 🙂
And it is important international recognition too as Creative Carbon Scotland, through the Creative Scotland Arts Council has pioneered arts and sustainability initiatives since 2011. It supports the development of artistic practices in relation to sustainability and climate change through residencies, events and commissions, and supports cultural organisations through reporting, carbon reduction and communicating their green work with audiences and has successfully advocated for the role of the arts in the transition to a more sustainable society and embedding sustainable practices at a strategic level.
Ireland has just begun its journey to explore and support cultural sustainability programmes. So it’s an honour to have The Hollywood Forest Story that I began in 2008 tp be part of Creative Carbon Scotland’s extensive programme. Thanks to the team at Creative Carbon Scotland for inviting me to summarise The Hollywood Forest Story for their local and international audiences.
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Hello! Kia Ora! My name
is Cathy Fitzgerald.
I’m a New
Zealander, living in rural
Ireland, the home of my ancestors, these past 25 years. Since 2019, I have offered ecoliteracy training to 250+ creative professionals in Ireland and internationally.
“In these urgent times, I’m passionate
about bringing ecoliteracy including
new ecological thinking, values,
language and head-heart-body
practices in empowering
transformative learning
to the creative and wider cultural
sector. Creative and cultural sector
professionals have a crucial
leadership role if informed and
supported. They can employ their
social inclusivity and creativity skills
to inspire diverse communities to
envision and embrace new
understandings, values and actions
for a more beautiful and just world.
Dr Cathy Fitzgerald
Ecological artist for the ongoing Hollywood Forest Story (begun 2008), Advisor for Creative Drummin Carlow Bog project, Accredited ESD* Earth Charter educator | researcher | advisor & mentor.
In 2022, Cathy was nominated by Earth Charter International, UNESCO Chair for ESD as Earth Charter Focal Point Communicator for Ireland.
*ESD is the UN-mandated shift in global formal and lifelong learning toward Education for Sustainable Development
