02/05/2003
Archived item. This item is published here for historical reasons. The information below may be out of date.
Issued on behalf of the Council Document Title: Beyond the Bridge Exhibition
by M.Keyes Head of Corporate Services Author :Patricia Davis
Tel: 4149100 Creation Date: 02/05/03
Email:mkeyes@sdublincoco.ie
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ARTS PRESS RELEASE ARTS PRESS RELEASE ARTS PRESS RELEASE
South Dublin County Council is delighted to present
Beyond the Bridge: An Exhibition of Paintings
By
Rowlagh Women’s Art Group
at
South Dublin County Council
Civic Centre
Clondalkin
Dubin 22
Monday 5th May – Friday 16th May
Rowlagh Women's Art Group has been going from strength to strength with regular Wednesday afternoon and Friday morning workshops. The group is facilitated by Eileen Gallen a local community artist who has worked with the group for the past four years. Having discussed at length future challenges the women decided that improving the image of their area through their artwork for 2002 was the way to go. The title of the project comes from a bridge, which separates North Clondalkin from the more affluent village area. The aim of the project is to promote a more positive image of the community and the environment past the Neilstown Railway Bridge, in an effort to counteract the bad media coverage the area receives.
The project involves a series of paintings of historical, community and personal views of the area, which have also been printed in postcard format to reach a wider community. These postcards are currently being used for networking and creating public awareness. The postcards have also been sent to international women's groups, families and friends overseas, but most especially will be displayed locally in order to raise the profile of the North Clondalkin area
The "Beyond the Bridge" project was officially launched by Fr. Joe Coyne in Aras Rualach in June 2002 and was hugely successful. Councillor Robert Dowds officially opened the exhibition when it moved to Clondalkin Village Library in September 2002. This generated great interest in the project. The art group decided to frame the set of sixteen postcards, which could then be sold locally and easily displayed by community groups and businesses. Funds generated will be used to develop the project further.
The exhibition was also displayed at Aontas National Conference 'Reclaiming the Right to Learn' in October 2002 in Malahide. The art group with Eileen attended the conference and were delighted to inform everybody about the project and what it has meant to them. The art group has and is certainly reclaiming their right to learn. Their project, which is community led, has given them a huge sense of empowerment and ownership while expanding their expertise and confidence.