Blaze is an Engagement Producer on Nature Calling, the first national programme of new art commissions by the National Landscapes Association. Nature Calling will give young people in Lancashire the opportunity to work with professional artists and explore their local National Landscape through creativity.
There are 46 National Landscapes in the UK including the Forest of Bowland in Lancashire. They are all diverse, outstanding natural environments that need protecting and should be enjoyed by all. Nature Calling asks who feels excluded from our landscapes, how can we acknowledge the climate crisis and enjoy new experiences in amazing places.
The Nature Calling programme has commissioned writers and artists to work in six of the National Landscapes and create new work in collaboration with communities. The activity will culminate in a national ‘season’ of events between May and October 2025.
Blaze is very excited to be working with the writer and artist who have been commissioned to create new work inspired by the Forest of Bowland. We will be connecting them with young people in East Lancashire and supporting young people to create their own work inspired by the project.
OneDa
OneDa is the writer/rapper who has been commissioned to work in the Forest of Bowland. Her tracks incorporate elements from the hip-hop and drum and bass scenes of her home city of Manchester before adding an eclectic mix of afro-trap and tinges of afrobeats that lean into her Nigerian heritage. OneDa is passionate about empowering young people to use their voice.
‘Lyric writing, spoken word and music is a huge passion of mine and allows me to express myself in a unique way, I aim to combine my passion, talent and my creative outlook to explore the forest of Bowland in a new way.’ OneDa.
https://www.instagram.com/onedawall
Rob St John
Rob St John is the artist who has been commissioned to work in Forest of Bowland. Rob is an artist and writer who lives in Lancashire. His practice is focused on the blurring of nature and culture in contemporary landscapes. He works across sound, moving image, text and installation. His work has been shown and heard at Tate Modern, Victoria and Albert Museum, The Barbican, The British Museum and many others. Rob has worked with young people in East Lancashire before and is looking forward to making new connections and discoveries through this project.
https://www.robstjohn.co.uk/
Nature Calling is funded by Arts Council England (as part of the Lottery funded National Significant Project stream), the Department for Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs (Defra) (as part of the Protected Landscapes Partnership) and National Landscapes in England. The Executive Creative Producers on the project are Activate Performing Arts.