Hay, P (2024) 'Forest of Imagination: reimagining familiar spaces through creativity and nature awareness.' In: Moula, Z and Walshe, N, eds. Arts in nature with children and young people: a guide towards health equality, wellbeing, and sustainability. Routledge, Abingdon, pp. 108-115. ISBN 9781032412795
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Abstract
Forest of Imagination is an annual participatory contemporary arts and architecture event in Bath, UK, run by House of Imagination, a creative education charity. The Forest allows the public to reimagine familiar spaces, inspiring creativity, and heightening awareness of nature in an urban context. Methods: This chapter considers the impact of arts-in-nature on wellbeing and sustainability through a multi-modal, in-depth case study, the Living Tree Mirror Maze. Working with a primary school in Bath, children’s enquiries were documented by the team at House of Imagination. The case study addressed the artists’ design and intent for Living Tree Mirror Maze, an analysis of the children’s enquiring, and children’s interpretation, debate, thoughts, and theories in collaboration with artists. Findings and discussion: Forest of Imagination showed how creative and inclusive placemaking can lead to a higher sense of belonging, wellbeing, connection to nature, sustainability, and active citizenship. Working alongside artists showed the importance of the arts, culture, and the environment in feeding people’s capacity to flourish in a world where imagination and creativity are central. Implications for policy, practice, and research: Forest of Imagination exemplifies a public engagement approach to cultural change, creative pedagogy, and co-creation. Such public engagement events can invite everyone to have a conversation about the impact of arts-in-nature on children’s wellbeing and understanding of sustainability.
| Item Type: | Book Chapter or Section |
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| Divisions: | School of Education |
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| Date Deposited: | 06 Dec 2024 10:36 |
| Last Modified: | 06 Dec 2024 10:36 |
| URI / Page ID: | https://researchspace.bathspa.ac.uk/id/eprint/16746 |
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