​​​​​Sculpture in the Parklands

​2002-2010

The Importance of Environmental Art Education in the 21st Century

In the 21st century, environmental art education plays a crucial role in fostering awareness, creativity, and responsibility towards the natural world. As global challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution intensify, educating young people through art provides a powerful way to engage emotions and inspire action. Environmental art education bridges science and creativity, encouraging students to explore ecological issues while expressing their ideas through various artistic media. This interdisciplinary approach nurtures critical thinking, empathy, and a deeper connection to nature, empowering the next generation to become proactive stewards of the environment. By integrating art and ecology, environmental art education also promotes sustainable thinking and innovation, essential for building resilient communities and a healthier planet

Education at Sculpture in the Parklands

Lough Boora Parklands

2002-2010

From 2002 to 2010, Sculpture in the Parklands hosted a dynamic and immersive arts and environmental education programme that brought young people into direct contact with nature through creative exploration. Designed to foster a deep connection to the natural landscape of Lough Boora, these workshops offered children the opportunity to engage with local biodiversity through drawing, sculpture, field observation, and performance. 

Through hands-on experiences in the reclaimed peatlands of County Offaly, children developed a deeper awareness of environmental issues and a strong sense of stewardship for the natural world. Ballengée’s approach—celebrated worldwide for making complex ecological concepts accessible and meaningful—enabled young participants to explore sustainability, species conservation, and habitat restoration in ways that were creative, inspiring, and deeply personal.

The education initiatives at Sculpture in the Parklands not only nurtured creativity and curiosity, but also established a lasting legacy of environmental awareness among local youth—placing art at the heart of ecological learning.