Throughout the past year, I have come to understand the importance of collaborations, community, and shared artistic exploration on a much deeper level. It is now my understanding that we all have the capability to cocreate the now and the future we want to experience together. Art can be a tool for ushering in healing and creating a sanctuary in today’s fractured, disconnected world. I am deeply grateful.
It has been a year when an interest in live art has come to the fore in my creative journey. I participated in Eorna in February in The Model Sligo. It was a workshop and performance curated by Sandra Corrigan Breathnach that taught me so much and allowed me to dream bigger.
Elemental Energy– Maria May – Eorna – The Model – Sligo – Photography Cían Flynn – 2025
(Eorna was a performance art event curated by Sandra Corrigan Breathnach as part of her artists residency within The Model, Sligo, situated within the artist residency programme, curated by Christine Mackey as part of her solo exhibition Seeking to walk beautifully on the earth, funded through the Arts Council of Ireland’s Project Award – Awarded to Christine Mackey.)
In June and July, I took part in The Season of the Witch workshop and Residency at Milford House, near Borrisokane in County Tipperary.
This magical experience was made possible by marvellous producer, scenographer, and CEO of Live Art Ireland, Deej Fabyc, and lovingly facilitated by Frances Mezzetti, Tess Wood and Beth Greenhalge.
It is described on the Live Art Ireland website as a ‘shared exploration of ritual, gesture, deep listening, and spell-making. Rooted in the shifting energies of dusk and dawn, this workshop holds space for both quiet reflection and playful experimentation, drawing on practices of embodied movement, group dreamwork, elemental ritual and improvisation.’
For me, it became a catalyst for exploration of fields I have long been interested in, namely witchcraft and live art and how to bring these elements to the foreground of my creative practice. The workshop culminated in a joint performance, bringing the spectators around the grounds of Milford House.
For the MA Creative Practice showcase in September, Rud a Thugann an tUisce Dom / What the Water Gives Me I incorporated my newfound passion for live art and created a multi layered work consisting of sound art, live art, installation, and sculpture.
Maria May 