The Kilkenny Sustainable Art Show returns to An Chéad Tine Art Gallery from 10th–25th May 2025, as part of the Bealtaine Living Earth Festival and in partnership with CALMAST at South East Technological University (SETU). The exhibition also runs during the period of National Biodiversity Week.

 

Curated by Mary Doyle Burke, the exhibition welcomes artworks from across disciplines that explore sustainability—whether through material, method, or message. Artists were invited to submit works incorporating natural materials or those that reflect on our relationship with the living earth.​ The exhibition was officially opened by Gareth Kennedy, artist, lecturer, and lead at NCAD Field, on Saturday 10th May.​

 

Mary Doyle Burke shared her thoughts on the submissions:​

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"The large volume and high quality of entries are a testament to the important work being carried out by Irish creatives and environmentalists in the field of sustainability. Within this exhibition, visitors will encounter woven works using natural fibres, films reflecting our evolving ecosystems, paintings and prints created using plant-based inks, biodiversity-themed artworks, sculptures made from natural materials, installations, artist books and poetry. As a curator and an artist, I’m deeply committed to circular practices—those which reduce waste, promote recycling, and prioritise sustainable materials. It is with great joy that I bring this exhibition to the public for its second year."

 

The Bealtaine Living Earth Festival is Ireland’s largest celebration of biodiversity and natural heritage, marking its 20th anniversary this year. Coordinated by CALMAST—the STEM engagement centre at SETU—the festival runs from 17th–25th May 2025 and celebrates the vital connection between science, the natural world, and community.

 

Rooted in the ancient Celtic festival of Bealtaine, the modern Living Earth Festival honours the renewal of life and deepens our understanding of the environment at the height of spring. It introduces people of all ages to the wonders of our ecosystems and encourages continued exploration and appreciation through the summer. This year’s festival theme, “Solutions in Nature”, highlights how biodiversity and sustainable resource management benefit us all. It aligns with significant international days, including:​

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• Fascination with Plants Day (18th May)

• European Maritime Day and World Bee Day (both 20th May)

• UN Day for Biological Diversity (22nd May)

 

The festival also supports the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, calling for global action to prevent, halt, and reverse the degradation of ecosystems.​The Bealtaine Living Earth Festival is made possible through a unique collaboration between visitor centres, public bodies, environmental groups, research projects, and voluntary organisations across the South-East of Ireland. Notable partners include Waterford City and County Council, Irish Wildlife Trust, Office of Public Works, Garter Lane Arts Centre, Lismore Heritage Centre, and SETU Carlow, along with research initiatives such as MISE (Mammals in a Sustainable Environment).​

 

CALMAST also coordinates several other science outreach initiatives, including the Robert Boyle Summer School, Waterford Engineering Week, the South East Science Festival, and Maths Week Ireland, which reaches over 400,000 participants annually. For more on the Bealtaine Living Earth Festival and its full programme, visit the CALMAST website.​

 

The Kilkenny Sustainable Art Show is an inspiring and timely event for anyone interested in art, ecology, and creative responses to the climate crisis. Whether you're an artist, a nature enthusiast, or simply curious, you’re warmly invited to explore this powerful showcase.​

 

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