Lisa Fingleton
ecosocial artist, writer & grower
Ireland

As part of my role as lead artist with Corca Dhuibhne Inbhuanaithe –A Creative Imagining to explore ways in which farmers on the Dingle Peninsula can diversify to address climate change (funded by the inaugural Creative Climate Action Fund), I was supported to work with Dr Cathy Fitzgerald as a mentor.

Cathy provided crucial context for the work and references to other interesting creative-led community climate and biodiversity projects. I also took part in both Haumea Ecoversity Essential Ecoliteracy and Earth Charter ethos courses which were valuable and insightful. I’m also looking forward to working with Cathy again on my next Creative Climate Action project.

Navine G. Dossos
international mural installation,
community art
Greece

Cathy has been a wonderful mentor in the past few weeks, full of knowledge, thoughtfulness, and genuine deep love and care for ecology as a theoretical subject and a lived experience. Even from the first session I felt immersed in a new way of thinking holistically about this vital subject matter.It goes without saying that these sessions with Cathy have shifted my perspective and got me to ask some pretty fundamental questions of myself and my work. She has been a great teacher and support for my project at IMMA Dublin and I look forward to continuing the dialogue.

Grace Wells
ecopoet, writer
Ireland

As the 2022 Platform 31 Artist for Clare County Council, I was able to avail myself of several mentoring sessions with Cathy. She’s a very intelligent and sensitive mentor who listened carefully to my many different needs, gave good advice and was very encouraging.

Cathy was very empathetic about all the challenges I was facing. As an eco-arts practitioner, I’m well aware of the complexities of our multiple ecological crises, and of how overwhelming our reality can be.

But Cathy has great vision and values in this area and was a true inspiration. She has a huge scope of knowledge, and easily directed me towards many inspiring eco-philosophers and artists whose work continues to support my practice.

Deirdre Southey
multimedia installation & curation
Ireland

Cathy was an excellent mentor to me, she opened me up to lots of new areas of research and inspired me with recommendations of similar artists working in my field. She has a vast knowledge of eco issues and how we can start to address them as artists. She has a holistic and gentle approach and you can tell how passionate she is for working towards an eco-inclusive worldview. After finishing the mentoring sessions I feel excited about my new journey.

Carole Nelson
musician, composer, teacher
Ireland

Cathy is an inspirational teacher, artist and friend who has enriched my understanding of ecocide and climate chaos immeasurably.

I was embarking on a composition project and knew that I wanted to connect my music and creativity with an eco-practice but had no tools or deeper understanding other than my flailing sense of impotence in the face of climate chaos. Cathy guided me through resources, philosophers, activists, books and videos with a light and generous touch. I came to understand the importance of joining with others, of finding ways to express grief, of finding the courage to keep speaking truth to power and understanding the importance of every tiny action we make.My project is now ongoing with support from the Irish Arts Council.

Cathy, you have my deep gratitude and my admiration for your knowledge and your dedication.

Dagmara Pater
visual artist, post-grad. researcher Norway

I would like to thank you Cathy. I think this kind of education, all you delivered–was so comprehensive and so good–I feel like I have been studying for two years! It is worth spreading and could be a part of a study program at a university 🙂 You inspired me to develop my activity as an ecosocial art practitioner.

Nikos Patedakis PhD
philosopher, writer, podcaster
USA

If life gifts you the opportunity to work with Cathy Fitzgerald, consider yourself lucky. If you are a policy-maker, please listen to her wise counsel. If you are considering signing up for one of her courses, do so posthaste. If you are a patron of the arts, get out your checkbook and put a lot of zeroes after that first positive integer.

Cathy is an incredible resource for art education institutes, art organizations and individual artists of all kinds. Go to Cathy to increase ecoliteracy (eco-wisdom, eco-cultural skill) and rejuvenate your own art practice or that of your students and/or community. Bringing ecology and art together is essential right now, and Cathy understands the social, political, scientific, philosophical, and creative challenges it presents.

Cathy has an excellent mind, both creative and analytical. She has education and training in the sciences, including a long stint as a research tech, yet she retains the sensitivity and soul of an artist.

Cathy’s work as an artist reminds me of a lecture Toni Morrison gave, in which the Nobel laureate lamented that the problem with so much of the art these days is that it isn’t *about* anything. As a philosopher, I can confidently say that Cathy’s work is not only about something, but it’s about some of the most important things.

Whether you seek out Cathy as an artist, teacher, collaborator, or adviser, you will find her a delight to engage with, and a genuinely warm and ethical person. I encourage you to work with her and to support her work.