ART-SOIL URFA

ART-SOIL URFA

Location of activities and scope

Sanliurfa, Turkiye, Local

Strand 2 – Organization and promotion of artistic/arts-based soil-related activities

Executive Summary

ART-SOIL-URFA, aims to combine Şanlıurfa’s rich soil culture and the importance of soil health with the artistic creativity of gifted students between 9-16. By integrating art and soil science through interdisciplinary workshops, the project seeks to raise awareness about the value of soil. Expected deliverables of the project include; Paints derived from pigments from various soil types in Şanlıurfa, Soil-themed paintings created using these paints, A herbarium collection made from plants, A land art installation centred around soil, A digital archive of all Works, A public street exhibition showcasing the outcomes and A soil-day promotion to create a multiplier effect across a diverse array of audiences.  The target audience includes gifted students—who are expected to play a significant role in the future of society—, students, families, and local residents. This project will use art as a catalyst to enhance soil literacy, draw attention to sustainable practices related to soil and to importance of soil for life.

Motivation Statement

Soil is not merely the ground we walk upon, but a living memory inherited from our ancestors—the foundation of our culture and our very existence. In Şanlıurfa, it is the source of fertility, history, and civilization. The word “soil” evokes the life given by the Euphrates, the ancient wisdom of Göbeklitepe, the stories hidden in every inch of land, and the responsibility we bear to protect it. Through this project, we aim to unite this ancient wisdom with the universal language of art and to rekindle our bond with the soil.

Sub-project objectives

– Enhance soil literacy among gifted students, families, and the wider community by integrating soil science with artistic practices.

– Promote sustainable soil practices through creative, participatory workshops and public exhibitions.

– Foster interdisciplinary learning by combining art, soil science, and community engagement.

– Create a multiplier effect by reaching gifted children aged 9–16 and their families, ensuring long-term awareness and behavioural change.

– Build cultural value around soil by transforming local soils into pigments, artworks, and land art that highlight soil’s ecological and cultural significance.

Challenges and how they will be addressed

– Limited prior exposure to soil science

– Need for age-appropriate, engaging content

– Bridging scientific concepts with artistic methods

– Hands-on, age-appropriate pedagogy; visual and tactile materials will be used to overcome these challenges.

Expected outcomes

Tangible Outputs

– Paints derived from local soil pigments

– Soil-themed artworks and land art installation

– Herbarium collection of plants grown in soil contexts

– Digital archive of works and documentation

– Public street exhibition and soil-day event

Non-Tangible Outputs

– Increased soil awareness and literacy among students, families, and residents

– Strengthened interdisciplinary collaboration between art and science

– Long-term behavioural change toward sustainable soil practices

– Enhanced cultural appreciation of soil as a foundation of life

Meet the Project Team

KARAKOPRU SCIENCE AND ART CENTRE

Contact – Zekiye Dogu

Instagram. 

KARAKOPRU SCIENCE AND ART CENTRE