Angela Sanina and Alan Davis
Wexford Environmental Society
The following is a blog to document our project progress and thoughts as we work within the community along with the Wexford Environmental Society
Alan’s Thoughts
There was nothing about the first meeting that was out of the ordinary. We had good fun as Anne Marie outlined what she expected us to do. I don’t think it will be an overly hard project, but there are plenty of events and jobs that will keep us busy!
Meeting with Anne-Marie Kirwan
Our first meeting with Anne-Marie was on January 19th, where we established what we would be working on, which is designing a logo, designing posters and help to document events and promote the “Wexford Environmental Society” online and out and about in the community.
Logo Design
Angela’s first design suggestion is cupped hands that enclose a tree. The idea behind the logo is a human gesture of care and an important part of the environment that needs to be taken care of.
Alan’s first design suggestion is a salmon leaping from a river, as a silhouette to a purple and gold sunset. The idea behind this is simply a representation of nature and an ecosystem with a signifying colour that represents Wexford.
First Activity
There was a concert on in the Art Centre in Wexford town to raise money to donate to the recent devastating bushfires in Australia. Some Members of Wexford Environmental Society were there to show support. Peter Murphy and his band had arranged the gig and there was a sizeable turnout on the night.
Alan: The night was very entertaining although it was not run by the environmental society we showed up in support. There were not many of the the society there, to be honest. Which was a little bit of a disappointment for me, because I was looking forward to meeting some of the members. We had a brief hello from one of the members but there was something missing as far as togetherness or being there as a group. It was more like that person was there in a capacity with her other friends. However, it was nice to see the support for the bushfire benefit from one of the group members.
POSTER DESIGNS
Poster Design For A Coastal and Harbour Clean Up
Scrabble Tournament Poster Design
08/02/2020 – Coast Clean Up Day
Alan: All set and ready to go! There is a storm due to come in much later, but for now the sky is partly clear, it is quite cold (+8C). I worked in a factory that is in the area that we are cleaning today. I haven’t set foot near the place since it went into liquidation in 2001. As far as I know the building does not exist anymore. So it is going to be a trip down memory lane with the expectation of seeing what happens when a factory falls. I believe that there was a case that children were playing on the roof and it collapsed, and a young boy got seriously injured. The building was leveled after that, obviously for public health and safety reasons. I signed up to being on the Wexford Environmental Society, so today my capacity will be to help the clean up and to take photos and get some video footage of the event. I am looking forward to it! It will be hard work, it’s going to be cold! (I know I have been shore fishing in such conditions). Hopefully it will make a difference, yet I can’t help to think, knowing the area, it will be in need of cleaning soon, especially with a storm due, who knows what the sea will throw back at us?!
We Were given some Hi-Vis jackets 
Finding footing on the rocks was difficult 
Angela: at the ready with her collecting bag 
collected odd discarded waste between the rocks
Alan: We didn’t go as far as the factory grounds where I used to work so I can’t really reflect on feelings there. There was a total of three organisations there working. Wexford Clean Coasts Group, Wexford Tidy Towns and our own Wexford Environmental Society. We were equipped with gloves, Hi-Vis jackets and hand operated pickers that helped reach between rocks and crevices. It was no surprise that the most common items that we removed were beer bottles and cans.
Angela: On Saturday the 8th of February 2020, I met with the Wexford Environmental Society (WES) and Tidy Towns Wexford on the Quay, Wexford Town. To help the environment, we worked together to clean the Wexford Harbour and make it rubbish free. At first, I didn’t expect many people there but I was surprised to see many volunteers out to help the cause. It was interesting because the age groups were different, many of the participants were teenagers. I was glad we can teach our younger generation on what it means to help the environment. When we started, I thought the job would be quick and easy, but I was shocked to see the work that had to be done. Plastic, cans, baby bottles, clothes, glass bottles, everything that shouldn’t be there, was there! It was challenging and sometimes tough because the waste was often stuck under the rocks which meant we had to risk pulling the rubbish out from under the slippery rocks.In the end the result was worth it, I felt so accomplished and proud that we could work as a community and clean our surroundings. Even though the job was tricky at times, I enjoyed the time spent cleaning our area. What I loved the most is that even though it was an unpleasant job and the weather was dull, the people of our town took time from their days to come work together to save our planet. Everyone was delighted in the end and left with a smile on their face!
How do we as artists make a difference? I guess it is best to look at what other artists do and how they go about making a difference to the environment. Irish artist Katie Holten leads a good example of how an artist can make a difference, by making regular posts on twitter and drawing attention to concerns that need to be highlighted. Calling to action, not just for artists but for everyone to act. Examples of her concerns on her twitter feed show and even tag an issue with draining if a large road in Co. Louth is built near a bog in Ardee.
Newspaper, cardboard, steel, PVC, wire & duct tape, installation view solo-exhibition at the Contemporary Art Museum St.Louis 2007, Photo:Mike Schuh
I like the idea that comes with Katie Holten’s Tree art in New York City. The alphabet with a tree assigned to each letter is to stimulate response from people to choose a tree that will be planted, each with a poem or content to be attached or displayed with the tree. It summons community involvement and gives people incentive to choose the type of tree to be planted in the city.
On a downside to Katie’s work in my opinion is her installment “Flowering Dogwood”. One can only consider the aftermath of the installation and her choice of materials. Not what you could call environmentally friendly.
A link to an article about Marina Debris – A Designer who makes clothing out of material that has washed up on the beach
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2016/sep/13/trashion-designer-marina-debris-turns-ocean-rubbish-into-high-end-outfits-in-pictures
Angela’s Thoughts
Working with our community has been really inspiring for me. Seeing our community come together to make our town a better and cleaner place makes me feel hopeful for the future. It so important to keep our community connected through even the smallest acts of kindness. I have really enjoyed the experience and will continue to stay involved with our local community.
Our Presentation of a Community Based Project or Art for Class
Conclusion
There have not been any major challenges to our project development. We did experience at one point that Art History Class was scheduled with an event during rag week. It didn’t hinder too much though as it was a Scrabble tournament and intern from the main campus in Wexford, who is a member of the Environmental Society was there to take photos.
Our best achievement to date was being involved with Wexford Tidy Towns, and the Clean Coasts group. There was a huge turn up for it (Our involvement didn’t have anything to do with the numbers that showed up, as the other organisations have been established prior to any involvement of the Wexford Environmental Society). Yet being out and about and doing the hard work felt rewarding.
We don’t need anything, as we can do everything we need to do on our laptops. Even with the closing of the college and everything so far to contain the spread of covid-19. We should be able to meet requirements. Obviously social gatherings are being hampered but there is still a website to set up. The only thing we have learned about at this point, is the existence of Wexford Clean Coasts group. They have a meeting every fortnight and assemble in different locations around to do clean ups and to plant grasses around the coastal areas. We will continue to be members of Wexford Environmental Society after the project is finished and perhaps propose some ideas of making sculpture work, which involve the groups mentioned.
Wexford Environmental Society Project 