"The Time and Self"- Land Art & Mindfulness for Youth Empowerment

Land art, also known as Earth art, is a movement that fundamentally alters the relationship between art and its environment. It's not simply about placing art within nature, but creating art from nature, within nature. This movement emerged in the late 1960s and early 1970s, driven by a desire to break away from the confines of traditional art spaces and reconnect with the raw, unfiltered power of the earth. Artists engage directly with the land, using materials found on-site—soil, rocks, branches, water—to construct works that are intrinsically tied to their specific location.

Connecting land art and mindfulness creates a powerful synergy, offering youth workers a unique and effective approach to supporting young people's emotional wellbeing. The core link lies in their shared emphasis on presence, connection, and self-awareness.

Both Land Art and mindfulness encourage a heightened sense of presence. Land art requires careful observation of the environment, noticing textures, patterns, and subtle changes in the landscape. Mindfulness, similarly, cultivates awareness of the present moment, focusing on sensations, thoughts, and emotions.

Youth workers can guide young people to slow down, pay attention to their surroundings, and engage with nature in a mindful way. This fosters a sense of groundedness and reduces feelings of anxiety or overwhelm.

Land art provides a non-verbal outlet for creative expression. Young people can use natural materials to express their emotions, thoughts, and experiences. Mindfulness supports self-reflection and self-discovery, allowing individuals to gain insights into their own inner workings. 

The specific objectives of this training course are: 

• To explore the connection between nature, creativity, and emotional wellbeing.
• To gain knowledge of various mindfulness techniques and their applications.
• To learn how to integrate land art and mindfulness practices in youth work.
• To develop practical Land Art skills, including planning, creating, and documenting Land Art projects.
• To design and implement Land Art and Mindfulness activities for young people.
• To foster empathy, self-awareness, and emotional resilience and encourage creativity and self-expression.

The course is strongly based on experiential learning principles and philosophy, with adequate time allocated for debriefing and reflection throughout the whole program. The working methods used are chosen to offer the possibility of equal involvement of each participant, every person being stimulated to be engaged actively in the process.  The training activities are flexible and adaptable to group needs taking into account the reactions of participants, their feedback, their expressed needs, their experience and the way they will work as a group. 

The non-formal education methods we will use are: experiential learning, group work and collaboration, reflection and self-evaluation, peer learning and sharing. Throughout the training course we will use various self-reflection tools such as journaling, reflection circles, guided meditation, artistic expression, individual and group discussions.

The learning process will be guided and facilitated by an experienced team. 

• Tuba Ardic is the director of Creative Connection, a Trainer at the National Agency of Norway and a passionate youth worker, active mentor, trainer, facilitator and social researcher since 2010. 
• Berat Ezel is director of BDK Youth ,Culture and Art Centre in Bodrum, currently taking active role as youth worker and senior trainer, working for  empowerment and participation of young people. He is passionate about working with Nature and Art and he believes connecting these elements helps to cultivate self awareness.

Do you resonate with this course and want to be part of it? This is who we are looking for: 

• Members or close collaborators of active Youth Organizations (staff or active members, paid or not) who are working regularly with young people. The organization should have a valid OID number. 
• Youth workers, educators, social workers, and community leaders.
• Artists interested in using Land Art for youth wellbeing.
• Those passionate about nature and mindfulness.
• Trainers seeking practical tools for emotional support.
• Participants who are open to experiential learning and collaboration.
• Good command of the English language; 
• People older than 18 years and with a legal residence (proven by documents) in the country they are currently residing in. 

Before applying, please be aware that the participants of this training will need to be prepared for physical outdoor work, including cutting and carrying materials, regardless of the weather conditions, as this is a practical, collaborative experience.