An exhibition of Crafty Connections opened on Saturday 25th March at 11am in The Buttermarket Craft Shop, Fivemiletown. All work on display features a celebration of creativity in the mediums of Crochet, Embroidery and Felting.
Visitors are welcome to attend the launch and exhibition between 10am and 5pm on Thursday through to Saturday (The exhibition will close on Friday 14th April).
The main focus of the exhibition is the coming together of 3 different groups of crafters to bring about a sense of well-being, comradeship and support. The themes were gathered from, and strongly reflect nature, particularly in the colours and design worked within the pieces. Weekly classes allowed the participants to develop new relationships and build trust and in doing so there came about a sharing of stories and experiences forming a new ethos for the groups. This connection to nature and the grounding that is found within, brought a new sense of support, encouragement and increased morale overall.
Community Arts Partnership CEO Conor Shields said: “This lovely project is reaching its culmination with an exhibition of some of the work produced by those working with our three artist-facilitators, Ruth Boyd, Miriam Coulter and Anne McCann. The quality of the work and engagement is clear to be seen and indeed celebrated by all who have taken part. Our ambition is to create opportunities for wider access and participation in the arts for communities who may have struggled in the past. This exhibition celebrates the work from rural groups in the area, highlighting their skills and their creative expression.”
Clear Project Manager Brenda Morris said “Short term funding plays a vital role in supporting programmes within the community. We were delighted to be able to provide funding through the PHA to support the crocheting and craft, coffee mornings and exhibiting the work. The project has helped participants to connect with each other whilst continuing their interests and active pursuits around crafts which will undoubtedly help to reduce their sense of rural isolation and loneliness.”
The artwork in the exhibition was created by 40 project participants from Fivemiletown and its surrounding areas. Community Arts Partnership has been supported by the Public Health Agency through the Clear Project. CAP is core funded by its principal funder, the Arts Council of Northern Ireland Lottery funds and by Belfast City Council.
