Barn Conversations: Creativity, Responsibility & Hope in the Climate Crisis
Join us for an evening of insightful dialogue and creative exploration as part of our Barn Conversations series—an event designed to spark new perspectives on the climate crisis and the pathways to change.
This session brings together Vivienne Schadinsky, environmental artist and creator of Into the Seeds of Time, and Dr. Helen Barnard, a specialist in climate ethics and motivation. Together, they will explore how art, science, and ethics intersect in addressing environmental challenges, fostering a conversation around creativity, responsibility, and hope in a rapidly changing world.
What to Expect:
6:30 PM – Doors open | Explore the gardens at your own pace.
7:00 PM – Conversation Begins
20 minutes – Vivienne Schadinsky introduces her artistic practice and its connection to climate awareness.
20 minutes – Dr. Helen Barnard shares insights on motivation, responsibility, and ethics in climate action.
40 minutes – Open discussion and Q&A, fostering audience participation and deeper dialogue.
8:30 PM – Conversation concludes | Stay for informal networking and continued conversation
Set against the backdrop of OmVed’s newly transformed gardens and our artist in residence exhibition Into the Seeds of Time, this conversation will explore how creative collaboration and ethical responsibility can drive climate solutions. Expect a thought-provoking discussion that bridges art, activism, and the way forward.
Come be part of the conversation—where knowledge is sown, and change takes root.
About the speakers:
Dr. Helen Barnard
Dr. Helen Barnard is a researcher and tutor at the University of Oxford, Department for Continuing Education. Her research is on the ethical implications of climate change and other environmental problems, focussing on responsibilities and motivation in a changing climate. She brings an interdisciplinary approach to understanding how societies can navigate climate risks, ensuring that research informs practical solutions. As a philosopher she hopes to encourage individuals to question the assumptions that underlie their lifestyles and so help shape strategies to reach a healthier planet.
Vivienne Schadinsky
Vivienne Schadinsky is a Swiss-born environmental artist based in London whose work captures nature’s subtle transformations in response to climate change. Using Japanese ink paintings, printmaking, sculpture, and filmmaking, she draws inspiration from the 72 Japanese micro-seasons to explore shifts in ecosystems, blending scientific insights with philosophical inquiry. Her internationally exhibited work—including shows at the National Art Center in Tokyo and the Svalbard Global Seed Vault—complements her role as a dedicated art educator who integrates the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals into innovative, sustainability-focused curricula and workshops.
About OmVed Gardens:
OmVed Gardens is a garden, exhibition, events, and learning space in North London dedicated to exploring the connections between food, ecology and creativity for health and climate resilience. We are on a mission to inspire ecological awareness and action, and deepen our understanding of interconnectedness with the natural world.
As a registered Community Interest Company, all our activities prioritise social and ecological objectives. Whether collaborating with chefs, creatives, gardeners, or schools, OmVed Gardens is a hub for education, connection, and action. We aim to inspire individuals and communities to reimagine their role in building a healthier, more resilient world.
We work to increase biodiversity - of species, seeds, food systems, and participation, through regenerative gardening, seed saving, habitat creation, and ecological education. Our space serves as a living example of how urban areas can be transformed into thriving ecosystems that support both human and non-human communities.
Sign up for our monthly newsletter for tips from the garden and kitchen and hear about our upcoming activities:
www.omvedgardens.com · @omvedgardens
Subsidised Tickets:
We have a few reserved tickets at a subsidised rate. If this workshop is not monetarily accessible, please write to us at events@omvedgardens.com to avail yourself of a subsidised ticket rate. Subject to availability.
Refund Policy:
Tickets are non-refundable, except in cases where an event is sold out and a waiting list exists for the session. Refund requests can be made up to 10 days prior to the session. Please write to us for any refund inquiries,
