Drawn to the River: a nature sketching and biodiversity walk.

As part of the “[K]nore Your River project” – a season of creative, ecological encounters along the River Nore – SEA School is delighted to partner with Kilkenny Animated Festival.

We invite you to join us for Drawn to the River – a guided Nature Sketching & Biodiversity Walk along the banks of the River Nore in Kilkenny city. Led by artist Maria Pareja (Cartoon Saloon) and biologist Tasneem Khan (SEA School), these intimate walks bring science and art together in the living landscape of our river.

As we wander together along the riverbank, we will:

Notice the details of plants, insects, and shifting waterlines
Learn how to “read” the landscape – its ecology and seasonal rhythms
Experiment with sketching and creative documentation as a way to deepen attention and connection

Why sketching? Because drawing has always been one of the most powerful ways to observe nature. Long before cameras, naturalists filled field journals with sketches that captured what words alone could not. The act of drawing slows us down, sharpens our perception, and turns simple observation into a practice of care.
Bring an umbrella just in case!!

This walk is for anyone curious about the natural world – no drawing experience required. All you need is a notebook, a pencil, and a willingness to look closely. Together, we’ll discover how the River Nore is not just a backdrop to Kilkenny life, but a living studio and source of inspiration.

The Walk will meet at The Hurling Statue, Canal Square.