Exploring energy outdoors with emerging artists and communities
Context
In 2016, Regen secured support from the Ernest Cook Trust to pioneer Art and Energy en plein air — an outdoor arts and education programme that brought together emerging artists, community energy groups, and young people to explore the relationship between energy, creativity, and landscape.
The project grew from Regen’s belief that clean energy transformation needs cultural as well as technical change. Artists have a vital role in helping society imagine futures, question assumptions, and connect emotionally to complex issues like climate change. Yet for many emerging artists, energy feels remote, abstract, or inaccessible.
“According to artists we’ve interviewed, an important barrier to developing a response to energy themes is that it is hard to find a meaningful, essential and grounded connection with the subject matter.”
What Happened
- Outdoor workshops: Students from Exeter School of Art’s Foundation Degree in Graphic Communication joined a day at Bidwell Woodland, including an energy walk, water-wheel making, and a briefing on the energy system and sustainable futures.
- Coursework brief: Students were then set a live project — to redesign the identity of local community energy groups. They researched, interviewed, and produced logos, websites, and materials for groups like Teign Energy Communities, Tamar Energy Community, and 361 Energy.
- Exhibition and feedback: Students showcased their work at Regen’s Smart Energy Marketplace (March 2017), where they received feedback from 1,000+ visitors, including industry professionals. Several students were subsequently offered paid design work by community energy groups.
- Art and energy outdoors workshops: Regen trialled further creative sessions with local artists in Exeter and Heavitree, exploring how to “draw energy outdoors” through group exercises like energy Pictionary and landscape drawing with an “energy lens.”
- Primary school engagement: Regen also partnered with Totnes Renewable Energy Society (TRESOC) on their Renewable Energy Experiential Learning (REEL) pilot at St Christopher’s Prep School. Pupils experimented with water wheels by the hydro project at Totnes Weir, guided by Regen.
“The students really appreciated the opportunity to show their work at Smart Energy Marketplace… they received positive feedback from many of the visitors and community groups.” – Nigel Lowe, Course Leader
Learning
- Creativity makes energy tangible: Hands-on making and outdoor art activities helped participants see and feel energy, making the abstract visible.
- Live briefs build confidence: Working with real community energy groups gave students professional experience, deepened their learning, and created pathways to paid work.
- Outdoor settings matter: Being outside with the elements stimulated new perspectives and creativity, encouraging participants to think beyond the classroom or studio.
- Cross-sector collaboration works: Linking students with community energy groups and primary schools created mutual benefit — fresh ideas for the sector, and learning opportunities for young creatives.
Impact
- On students: Gained skills, professional exposure, and in some cases paid work. Developed a stronger understanding of sustainability and energy systems.
- On community energy groups: Received fresh branding and communication ideas, plus opportunities to engage younger generations.
- On Regen: Strengthened the argument for integrating arts into energy education, and built a model that could be replicated nationally.
- On schools and artists: Sparked enthusiasm for energy-themed creative practice, with ripple effects like new term-long themes at Crediton Arts Centre
Legacy
The programme seeded an ongoing conversation in Exeter and Devon about art and energy outdoors. It also contributed to TRESOC’s plans to expand REEL to all local schools, with Regen’s “water wheel recipe” integrated into the programme.
“The workshop made me think about energy in a new way. It was great to be creative with others… very inspiring.” – Liese Webley, local artist
This project showed that working ‘en plein air’ can unlock new ways of imagining our energy future, grounding creative practice in lived landscapes, and giving emerging artists the confidence to make sustainability part of their work.
