Using artists to mobilize a city
to dramatically reduce its environmental impact
and increase conviviality and positive connection to Nature
THE BRISTOL ECOSHOWS will use arts practitioners to make real carbon footprint reductions across Bristol. Working with artists of all kinds, in as many parts of Bristol as possible, Bristol Ecoshows attempt to help Bristol dramatically reduce its environmental impact, whilst increasing the sense of community between people and with nature.
Currently, more than half of the people in the world live in towns or cities, so it's at a city level that we have to make sustainability meaningful. In Bristol, there is a chance to lead the way in showing what's possible, to shift from regional to global heavy weight in our environmental impact.
Where environmentalists have succeeded in raising awareness, artists can bring behavioural change: they can inspire and engage people though workshops leading to top class "ecoshows" - a coming together of amateur and professional.
At the same time, engagement includes politics and institutions, tackling systems like transport or planning issues which we live under.
A vision of living lightly is inspired by the wisdoms of indigenous peoples who are fast becoming extinct across the world: all of us are needed to make it happen.
What's the impact of an environmental artist working with a community?
"Annie Davenport’s attitude is inclusive and very hands on. Her organic, flexible approach proved to be just right for the setting of our large, noisy toddler group. The activities combined artistic quality with creative fun for the very young age group of the children involved. Although their attention span is minimal the adults found it easy to join in with them and have a go.
They liked the variety of the workshops and the sensory trail at the end. There was a lot of enthusiasm over the gardening. When they took those they planted home someone made the comment “I haven’t killed my plant yet. I can’t believe I can do this, its great!” It has certainly been a learning by doing experience that has encouraged some to continue to garden."
Faithspace development worker
