The Wild Escape

Barnsley Museums recently participated in Art Fund’s ‘Wild Escape’ project, aiming to encourage children to visit museums and respond creatively to the threat to the UK’s natural environment.

We worked with Year 5s from local school Birdwell Primary to explore the green spaces and biodiversity of Worsbrough Mill and make climate pledges to preserve and protect our planet. Pupils also created wire damselflies which formed part of Art Fund’s national collaborative artwork, featuring children’s works from all over the UK.

The project culminated in a free event for Earth Day on 22 April 2023 for families and visitors to Worsbrough Mill. Working with local artist Sarah Jane Palmer, we created a willow earth sculpture out of natural and biodegradable materials for people to tie climate pledges to. Pledges were made on wildflower tags which have now been planted onsite, and the sculpture has found a permanent home in the Country Park. People’s pledges included things like eating less meat, reducing plastic use, and taking part in litter picking events.