Cēsis, Latvia | February 1–3, 2025

From February 1st to 3rd, participants from Cyprus, Greece, and Latvia came together in the charming town of Cēsis for a hands-on Eco-Art Workshop. Over three days, they explored how nature, creativity, and sustainability can come together through art.

The workshop kicked off with a welcome lecture introducing participants to the project goals, tasks, and themes. An engaging session by Latvian environmental scientists followed, offering insight into Latvia’s natural ecosystems and the importance of environmental responsibility in artistic practice.

The second day was filled with interactive, hands-on art sessions led by renowned Latvian artists.

The morning began with a visit to artist Matiass Jansons’ studio in Siļķes, where participants got their hands dirty—quite literally—sculpting with turf and other natural materials, guided by Jansons’ deep connection to land art.

After lunch, participants returned to Cēsis Art School for an inspiring lecture by ice and sand sculptor Zigmunds Vilnis, who shared his experiences transforming ephemeral materials into striking visual art.

This was followed by a practical sculpture session, where participants experimented with natural textures and structures under Vilnis’s guidance—transforming earth, ice, and sand into expressive temporary art pieces.

The final day of the workshop was led by artist Signe Vanadziņa, who introduced the participants to painting with natural elements. Using pigments, soils, and organic textures, they created visual stories inspired by the landscapes and myths of the local area.