Artist Biomaterial Workshop

This hands-on workshop will introduce the world of biomaterials, substances made from natural ingredients and waste streams, that offer sustainable alternatives to plastics and other environmentally harmful materials.

Set in Cley and Salthouse Marshes, and drawing inspiration from the North Norfolk coastline and its natural resources, the session will explore ecologically sensitive approaches and how to use low-impact materials in creative practice.

The workshop will take place in the Norfolk Wildlife Trust’s visitor centre, and will feature a walk around the nature reserve with a representative from Trust. Light refreshments will be served.

Combining art, science, and sustainability, participants will have the chance to experiment with a range of biomaterial recipes and techniques, making a collection of biomaterial samples to take away and develop further.

Kaitlin Ferguson’s practice explores how nature is shifting in the face of climate change. Humankind’s footprint has triggered the next geological era, known as the Anthropocene. Our activity has had an enormous impact, fundamentally altering the planet’s climate, geology and ecosystems. Ferguson’s work seeks to reconnect people with nature and to offer new ways of understanding the deep history of our planet, as well as its possible futures.

Her practice takes many forms, including exhibitions, public sculpture commissions, and community-based participatory projects. Recent research, supported by Arts Council England, has focused on developing sustainable materials – or biomaterials – as a creative medium. By experimenting with waste products such as coffee grounds in 3D printing technology, Ferguson creates work that highlights the overconsumption of natural resources while opening up ecological approaches to making.

She is currently an Associate Artist at Kettle’s Yard, the Sainsbury Centre and the University of Cambridge Museums. Her projects have been commissioned by leading organisations including the Barbican Centre, Edinburgh Art Festival,
GroundWork Gallery, Natural England, Norwich University of the Arts, Hudson Architects, University of Cambridge, and Poldra Sculpture Park in Portugal.

Kaitlin was awarded a Norfolk & Norwich Festival Artist Bursary in 2025. Based in Norwich, she holds a BA in Fine Art from Norwich University of the Arts and an MA from the Art, Space + Nature programme from the University of Edinburgh.

Ticket and Travel Bursaries

If the cost of the ticket and/or getting to the event is a barrier for you to attend, we have a small pot of money to cover ticket and travel expenses.

If you would be interested in making use of the fund please contact Isabel Morgan on isabel@nnfestival.org.uk

We cannot guarantee to cover all requests and will only cover the cost of the cheapest transport option available.

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