Group: Dots & Commas, Strabane
Arts Care Artist: Michelle Young
Title: Embrace authenticity and truth in self
Participants: Caroline, Florence, Anne, Margaret, Pauline, Christina, Laurence
About the project:
We live in a world where we may feel like we need to mask our true selves or parts of our selves. In Masquerade we took the time to discuss what pressures or parts of ourselves we may hide away, and why, as well as the parts of us we show to the world.
What we show to the rest of the world is illustrated in words, colour and decoration on the front of our masks, and what we hide or keep – difficulties, struggles, thoughts – are illustrated inside the mask. Some of us did this in reverse with what others see on the front of the mask and our true selves on the inside.
In this project, we unpicked how we currently feel. Most of all, we celebrated how far we have come in embracing our scars or burdens, celebrating our true selves and the ‘safe space’ that we have found within our writers’ group where we can open up without judgement and do what we enjoy – write!
Council Area: Derry City and Strabane
Group: Derg Valley Divas
Arts Care Artist: Carmel Garvey
Title: Dance 1 – Celebrating Change. Dance 2 – Letting Go with Confidence and Fun
Participants: Bernie, Christina, Hazel, Isobel, Lillian, Pearl
Click here to see the Derg Divas go through their moves
About the project:
Dancer Carmel Garvey worked with the Derg Valley Divas to explore the theme of Transformations through dance and movement. The project is all about expressing our selves through Dance. Welcoming the changes in our life, overcoming the challenges, and moving forward. Embracing our lives in a positive transformative mind set. Opening our eyes to all the elements nature provides, and engaging in our senses. Therefore providing us with a truly safe, and deeply felt experience.
Our dance sessions explore movement, engaging the whole body. Creating patterns as we move through space, and bring an awareness to ourselves of balance and form.
Overall Health, Fitness and Wellness goals are all achieved within the Sessions. With lots of Laughter and Fun as we engage together exploring our inner Diva.
Council Area: Derry and Strabane
