It was with great sadness that we heard of the sad and untimely death of Olivia Butler. Olivia was the coordinator of the Poetry in Motion Schools project within New Belfast Community Arts Initiative between 2003 and 2006. Originally a secondary school teacher, Olivia left full-time teaching to work in various primary and special needs schools and was also a familiar face beside a swimming pool encouraging young arms and legs to propel furiously.
In her role as coordinator for Poetry in Motion Schools, she also drove young people to face their fears and push themselves forward with words.
Olivia was responsible for coordinating, collating and editing the first full anthology for Poetry in Motion Schools and three subsequent books. She will be fondly remembered by the many young poets, fellow teachers and the staff and artists within CAP. We would like to extend our sympathy to her family circle.
