As part of the Tread Softly Festival, Kids’ Own hosted our second set of Wild Stories workshops in Aughris this weekend, led by our associate artist and writer Andy Parsons and Sarah O’Keeffe. The day lived up to its name as originally planned for a bell tent, the session moved to the Beach Bar due to windy weather.

A Day of Creativity and Discovery

Andy Parsons kicked off the workshop by sharing his love for pebbles—particularly the special shapes he finds on the beach. His enthusiasm set the stage for a session where the children could blend text and images in their own unique ways. Using beautifully handmade rag paper, they explored the textures and forms of the pebbles, shells and seaweed Andy had collected.

Exploring Seaweed and Squid Ink

Once inside, Sarah O’Keeffe encouraged the children to think about seaweed from a non-fiction perspective, then transition into creative writing. She invited them to express their ideas through drawings and words, whether as comics, poems, or any other form that felt right to them. The focus was on letting the children decide how to approach their work, making the process as open-ended as possible.

The children examined various items on the table, including pebbles and black ink, which Sarah connected to squid ink—adding a touch of mystery. Using wooden sticks to draw with the ink, each child approached the task differently. Some opted for organic, free-flowing designs, while others created more structured and intricate pieces.

A Blend of Nature and Creativity

The Wild Stories workshop in Aughris was a day of creative exploration, with each child bringing their own perspective to the table. From loose, flowing designs to detailed, precise work, the session highlighted the diverse ways young people interpret and engage with the natural world.

Andy reflected “…..I think the groups did some amazing work, there was some great observational drawing, experimenting with mixed media to describe the minutiae of the shells and stones, and alongside these were imagined sea creatures and wild stories of adventures on the ocean.”

We’re looking forward to seeing how these creative journeys evolve in our next weeks workshops at Streedagh. Stay tuned for more updates and stories from the field!  Read about lasts weeks session here

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