Project Overview
Wild Wings of Hope is an interdisciplinary craft and storytelling project led by Welsh environmental artist Ed Harrison.
Inspired by the migrations of barn swallows, swifts and butterflies between Africa and the UK, Wild Wings of Hope explores our relationship with the natural world—celebrating the shared stories, wildlife and cultural traditions that connect people, species and places across borders.
While rooted in Ed’s environmental art practice, the project is inherently collaborative, bringing together storytellers, musicians, educators, healthcare professionals and conservation organisations, creating opportunities for people to gather, make and reconnect with nature—and one another.
At its heart, migration becomes a metaphor for hope, connection and the challenging journeys we make through life. Through workshops, exhibitions and creative wellbeing projects, Wild Wings of Hope creates space to explore belonging, resilience and renewal.
Experiences That Connect
Facilitating the creation of tactile paper birds & insects — nurturing creativity, curiosity & connection through sustainable craft.
Memorable performances that bring migration & ecology to life, integrating folklore, music & papercuts as props.
Exploring the wonders of birds, insects & ecosystems through experiences that inspire learning & care for the natural world.
Writing
Creating opportunities for participants to express themselves through stories, poetry and messages that foster reflection, connection and hope.
Project backstory
Wild Wings of Hope was conceived after the passing of artist Ed Harrison’s father, transforming personal grief into a creative exploration of interconnectedness and hope.
Growing up in South Wales, Ed’s dad nurtured his love of nature—particularly the barn swallows (gwennol in Welsh) that returned each spring to nest in the family shed.
On the anniversary of his father’s passing, the family scattered his ashes in the garden. That same day, the swallows returned from their migration across Africa, becoming a powerful symbol of continuity and connection to someone who had always found such joy in their return.
I immersed myself in the studio, drawing and cutting paper swallows. It became a way of navigating grief.
Inspired by this moment, Ed found solace in the quiet of his studio, creating a series of illustrations as a personal tribute.
Over time, these drawings evolved into tactile papercuts, then into creative workshops where participants could craft swallows and swifts of their own.
But something was missing: the rich folklore and storytelling traditions that have surrounded migratory birds for centuries.
Ed began collaborating with storytellers rooted in Celtic and African traditions to bring the papercuts and migration stories to life. Together, they weave craft, nature and oral storytelling into a shared experience inspired by the ancient routes these birds follow between Africa and the UK each year.
Creative experiences for
Nature-inspired workshops bringing comfort, connection & creativity to sensitive care settings.
Ecological workshops sparking curiosity & care for the natural world.
Connecting community groups & cultural organisations with stories of nature, folklore & biodiversity.
Hands-on workshops & vibrant performances bring craft, storytelling & nature-connection to audiences of all ages.
The Storytellers
Ghanaian master folklorist Chief Gift Amu and Scottish bard Cara Silversmith joined Ed, helping shape the project into a cross-cultural collaboration celebrating the diversity of life—and the winged creatures that know no borders.
From these collaborations, Wild Wings of Hope took flight.
The stories we weave will be filled with a sense of hope and connection that is so vital in the world right now.
Through vibrant storytelling circles, they weave together folklore, ecological education and drumming to spark wonder, joy and a deeper appreciation of the cultures and shared biodiversity of the UK and Africa.
As the project grows, so too does its network of storytellers, with migratory flyways providing a creative framework for new voices and storytelling traditions.
Our values
Bringing together diverse creative disciplines to weave craft, story & sound into unique & meaningful experiences.
Craft
We integrate mindful making into our craft, beginning with sustainable materials as part of our commitment to the planet.
Inspired by nature (which knows no borders) we bring together diverse voices, cultures, traditions & perspectives.
We push the boundaries of interactive, nature-based storytelling by combining different creative practices, ancient & new.
