Uillinn West Cork Arts Centre is taking part in West Cork Feel Good Festival, organised by 49 North St in Skibbereen this year with an exhibition of work by by Ealaíon Art Group. The exhibition called Vortex through a Portal will
opens this Friday October 7 and runs through to November 4, taking place in the Uillinn Stairwell Galleries.
The work represents a collection of recent artwork by Ealaíon, showing the various strands of process and exploration by individual group members, curated by Becky Keyser, the groups artist facilitator, ‘The pieces have evolved out of each participant’s natural curiosity and commitment to their own creative path.’ explains Becky, ‘The group sessions place an emphasis on enjoyment and harmony – there is always music playing and the setting is friendly and relaxed, giving people the freedom to chat, or be quiet while they make art. A wide variety of art materials are provided, and ideas and subject matter evolves out of facilitated exploration. Sometimes people come with their own ideas, and other times guided.The atmosphere is one of support and encouragement that allows your art to blossom. No previous experience is required and people often surprise themselves at what they are capable of…and what treasures lie within.’
A workshop with the group will take place on 20 October, followed by a launch and celebration with the group, whose usual meeting place is 49 North Street in Skibbereen.
The event is part of a West Cork wide programme organised by Kevin O’Shanahan, based at 49 North St, ‘celebrating its 11th anniversary, West Cork Feel Good Festival, boasts events and workshops across many West Cork towns and villages including: Adrigole, Ardgroom, Ballydehob, Bantry, Castletownbere, Clonakilty, Dunmanway, Glengarriff, Kealkill, Leap, Rosscarbery, Schull, and Skibbereen. Little shifts can make a big difference to mental health and wellbeing. The sudden realisation that, yes, we ARE creative (even if we’ve been led to believe that this is beyond us) and yes, we ARE valuable in our own right and therefore worthy of connection. The festival is full of experiential workshops that offer moments of exploration, discovery, and connection. Processes that help us grow as individuals and as a community – via tools such as the creative arts, listening, peer support, creativity, mindfulness, the Irish language.’
To find out more about 49 North Street you can check out www.facebook.com/49NorthStreet and www.musicalive.ie/news for regular updates about and during the festival.
IMAGE by Aisling Mooney, acrylic on paper, 2023.