London based designer & public artist Cristina Ottonello engages with up 10 young people aged 12 - 14 on the Ashbrooke, Chesterfield Close and McAuley estates in Birr exploring a range of Offaly plants and their usefulness. With a local botanist, the artist and participants through a period of creative research investigate the extraordinary characteristics of local plants, and how these plants have and can inspire innovation and creativity.

A specific number of ‘hero’ plants will be identified and the botanical features/components that have biomimetic and adaptation features will be creatively replicated/re-interpreted through crafting processes, including reusable and recyclable materials. These specific features will be magnified in scale to explore the textures, shapes and unique elements to their botanical structure. The resulting artworks will not be exact botanical replicas of the original plant. The installation of artworks will be situated at Birr Courthouse as part of Birr Vintage Week & Arts Festival, 29 July – 7 August.

A number of public talks will take place at Birr Theatre & Arts Centre including a thrilling presentation from Lara Jewitt, Science Collection Coordinator/ Head of Tropical Nursery at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew on orchids and their adaptability.

This project is curated by Ann Lawlor and is a collaboration between Birr Theatre & Arts Centre and Offaly Local Development Company - Community, Education & Youth Work.

Please note that the details of events listed above are provided by the relevant Local Authorities.