Shane Finan, Artist, Wicklow, Ireland

‘Just as in her own art, where she is growing a forest, in her teaching she draws together the disparate roots, branches, leaves, seeds and flowers, leaving a healthy forest to flourish for itself. I am very grateful.’ I took part in the first pilot 6-week course on ecoliteracy that Cathy and her colleagues through Haumea organised. This course, the other participants, the structure and the resources, were all equally measured, equally insightful. Delivered with Cathy’s enthusiasm and positivity, and her sense of inclusion, we were introduced to connected ideas of nature, art and society. The course materials covered the experiential, the geographical, the scientific, and the artistic. It is easy to recommend Cathy’s own work, and her education. Her knowledge on disparate topics, and her willingness to share this knowledge, are tremendous. Every participant brought something different: writers, artists, philosophers all shared their perspectives as part of the course. Cathy’s way is to connect the people and the ideas. Just as in her own art, where she is growing a forest, in her teaching she draws together the disparate roots, branches, leaves, seeds and flowers, leaving a healthy forest to flourish for itself. I am very grateful.