Creative Climate Club
A free, monthly meeting for people who care about nature and are interested in responding creatively to the world around us.
Creative Climate Club is a free, monthly meeting for people who care about nature and are interested in creatively responding to the world around us, our local environment, and wider climate issues.
The monthly meetings will involve creative activities which can help us care for the environment, such as:
- Creative opportunities with artists such as painting, collage, sketch-booking and photography
- Opportunities to learn with local community experts such as bee foraging walks, pond ecology and talks about the Rive Tyne and its health
- The chance to make a connection with local nature, wildlife and planting of urban spaces, such as a ‘garden crawl’ to local community gardens
Pond Dipping with Mike Jeffries
Sat 24 May | 14:00-16:00
Did you know dragonflies are moving North in the UK and pond animals are hatching and growing faster? The life in and around our ponds can tell us a lot about our changing climate and its impact, and May is a perfect time to grab a net and go pond-dipping. This month we'll explore the connection between ponds and climate with pond ecologist and artist Mike Jeffries by taking part in the Big Pond Dip at Ouseburn Pond.
We'll meet at the Hello desk, just inside Baltic's entrance, then set off on a 20-minute walk to visit Ouseburn pond, within Ouseburn Orchard. There, Mike will talk us through the pond dip, assessing the quality of the pond based on the animals we find. Mike will talk to us about his research into how ponds 'mop up' carbon, the wildlife he's recorded around the pond over the years, and ways to improve a pond for freshwater wildlife.
After the pond dip, we'll head back to Baltic for a free drink in our Front Room.
All equipment provided, but please wear appropriate shoes for walking on grass and marshy ground around the pond.
If you'd prefer to meet us at the pond, we plan to arrive there for 14:30 - please book a place via Eventbrite and send Jenny an email at: [javascript protected email address] so we know not to wait for you at Baltic.
Collage and zine-making
Sat 28 June | 14:00 - 16:00
Join ecologist and artist Mike Jeffries for a collage and zine-making workshop. We'll take our findings from May's Creative Climate Club session - the Big Pond Dip at Ouseburn pond (don't worry if you weren't there - we'll share what we found!) and reflect on how climate change is affecting the Newcastle-Gateshead Quayside, to create fun and experimental collages, bringing these together to make a collective zine. All over free refreshments in Front Room. All materials provided, but feel free to bring any images, magazines or found materials to collage with.
The Cramlington Forager
Sat 26 July | 14:00-16:00
Meet Gemma, The Cramlington Forager, for an informative session about the free food at our fingertips and how to safely and responsibly forage in nature. Join us in Front Room over a free cuppa to find out more.
Nature's Cure in Time of Need
Sat 23 August | 14:00-16:00
Have you ever found comfort in nature during a tough time? Is there a special outdoor spot that always brings you joy? Do you have a story about how nature has helped you? We want to hear it!
Join the Natural History Society of Northumbria for a free workshop to hear about their Lottery Heritage Funded project, Nature's Cure in Time of Need. Join us for chats about the nature that inspires us and help NHSN collect nature stories. Each story you submit as part of the workshop will be accessioned into a new collection in NHSN's North East Nature Archive (NENA) housed in the Great North Museum: Hancock.
We'll also be indulging in a bit of simple book-binding, crafting nature journals which you can take away with you to help you notice the nature around you.
About Nature’s Cure
Nature’s Cure in Time of Need: New Voices for North East Nature is a Heritage Lottery-funded project dedicated to capturing stories from underrepresented voices. It explores how nature has provided solace and strength during challenging times in the north east. By preserving these personal narratives in NHSN's North East Nature Archive, housed in the iconic Great North Museum: Hancock, the project ensures that future generations can connect with the ways nature has shaped and supported our local communities.
Through workshops, events, and storytelling, Nature’s Cure in Time of Need invites everyone to share their story.
Over time, members of the club will collaborate to develop our next steps, identifying practical tasks like litter picks, gardening and tree planting that we’d like to collectively participate in, new places we’d like to visit and people we’d like to hear from, and creative activities we can respond with.
Held in our Front Room for ages 13+. Please book a free ticket before attending, donations warmly welcomed.
Creative Climate Club is part of Birds, Bees, Bikes & Trees, a three-year partnership between Baltic, North East Young Dads & Lads (NEYDL) and Newcastle University , funded by The National Lottery Community Fund.
Read More about Birds, Bees, Bikes & Trees
The young dads creating a buzz about climate action on Baltic’s rooftop
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