The Art of Connection

We are delighted to working in partnership with our colleagues at County Down Rural Community Network to deliver the Newry DEA element of a creative and inter-generational Peace Plus project.  This project has been funded by Peace Plus through Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, under the theme of ‘Thriving Together’, Social & Emotional Support Programmes.

Over the coming months we will be actively recruiting young people and older people to get involved in an inter-generational programme of activities which will embrace and encourage creativity, reducing isolation and bringing people together across the Newry DEA.

This programme will have an arts & crafts theme and will focus on works that:

• foster intergenerational connections and understanding;
• encourage sharing of personal histories and memories; and
• promote creativity and artistic expression.

Participants will be supported over a series of workshops to work together to create a tangible and lasting piece of art which will be showcased at the end of the programme. The possibilities are endless, the inter-generational group may decide to create any of the following:

• sculptures or an art installation
• copper work,
• collaborative memory quilt,
• clay tile mosaics
• fabric mosaic on canvas
• story telling zines

The final art piece will be displayed in Down Arts Centre, and also in Newry & Mourne Museum.  We will be working alongside community & voluntary groups, and local charities to recruit for this programme; we hope to create new opportunities for engagement that will help build intergenerational connections and reduce isolation by bringing people of all ages together.

For further information please contact Cathy Mc Mahon on cmcmahon@ccgnewry.org