Carlow’s creative community is being invited to take part in a unique opportunity that blends heritage crafts with sustainability and innovation on a European stage. Stone & Soul: Sustainable Lithography, Linoleum and Paper for Contemporary Artists is a three-day hybrid workshop and hackathon taking place from September 5–7, 2025, at the Craft Academy Sweden, hosted by the renowned Helliden Folk High School in Skövde, Sweden.
The programme as part of Craft Work 2.0 is designed for 50 selected participants—28 in-person and 22 online—from 12 European countries including Ireland, Greece, France, and Sweden. It offers a hands-on, collaborative experience for both emerging and experienced creatives interested in exploring traditional craft techniques such as lithography, linoleum cutting, and handmade paper-making. The aim is to reimagine these time-honoured skills through a modern, eco-conscious lens, with a strong focus on innovation, entrepreneurship, and environmental sustainability.
Craft Work 2.0 is a European initiative funded under the Creative Europe programme, designed to reimagine traditional craft through the lenses of sustainability, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Bringing together creatives, educators, and cultural organisations from across Europe, it supports collaborative learning, eco-conscious production, and new business models rooted in heritage skills. The Stone & Soul: Sustainable Lithography, Linoleum and Paper for Contemporary Artists workshop is part of this initiative and is also funded under Creative Europe, offering participants a unique opportunity to engage in cross-border exchange, sustainable craft-making, and creative enterprise development.
Over the course of the workshop, participants will work in cross-cultural teams to prototype new, sustainable craft products. Alongside practical instruction from leading experts in the field, attendees will also explore inclusiveness in the creative industries, and gain insights into developing business models that can bring their ideas to life in the European marketplace. Each participant who completes the full programme will receive a Certificate of Achievement.
The call is open to all creative individuals regardless of prior experience in the specific techniques. What matters most is a commitment to sustainability, a passion for collaboration, and a desire to innovate in the world of contemporary craft. Financial support is available for those attending in person, covering travel, accommodation, and meals.
Carlow County Council is actively encouraging local makers to apply, recognising this initiative as a vital platform for promoting Carlow's creative talents in a European context.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for Carlow’s creative community to showcase their talents on a European stage while learning sustainable techniques that connect heritage with innovation,” said Cllr. Fergal Browne, Cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council.
“We encourage makers of all kinds to apply and represent Carlow in this unique European exchange.”
Echoing this support, Kieran Comerford, Head of Economic Development & Enterprise at Carlow County Council, said, “Carlow’s cultural and creative sector has long been a driver of innovation. Stone & Soul offers a platform for our local artists and entrepreneurs to reimagine traditional crafts in a way that’s environmentally and economically sustainable—and to build valuable connections across Europe.”
The deadline for applications is June 16, 2025, and interested individuals are encouraged to apply now through Carlow County Council’s Online Consultation Portal on Stone & Soul Sustainable Lithography, Linoleum and Paper for Contemporary Artists - discover timeless printmaking techniques with an eco-conscious approach | Carlow County Council's Online Consultation Portal
Stone & Soul is more than a workshop—it is a movement towards a more sustainable, inclusive, and entrepreneurial future for craft in Europe.