November the 10th, Visit to the F.E.McWilliam Gallery, Banbridge.

Photographs by Paula Campbell.

F.E. Mc William Gallery and Studio in Banbridge is dedicated to the memory of Banbridge-born sculptor Frederick Edward McWilliam, one of Ireland’s most influential and successful artists. 

Participants walked around the exhibition dipping in and out of the talk provided by the tour guide. His early pieces were semi abstract but later many of the sculptures were of figures or a part of a figure e.g. legs. These sculptures were more recognisable to the participants, who found great joy at pointing out the tiny details in the feet. Participant’s appreciated the time and skill which went into producing these pieces and were overwhelmed by the amount of work one man had
achieved.

Many of the larger pieces were located in the garden area. The weather couldn’t have been more perfect showing these pieces at their best and producing interesting shadows. Also, the design of these gardens meant that participants required no support from the facilitators as it was all on one level, had a very visual path to guide you to the sculptures and a view off the whole garden from any one point.

The cafe had floor to ceiling windows overlooking the gardens and sculptures, together with our new found friendships, homemade vegetable soup and not forgetting a cup of tea, it ended our more than perfect day.


Text by Sinead Hyman

November the 3rd, Workshop in Sydenham court

Photographed by Paula Campbell

The fruit paintings.

Experience from previous workshops had shown that  many participants found it difficult to recall information which was abstract in nature. The facilitators decided to introduce something which was familiar to the participants and used fruit. Some of the fruit was familiar to all and some was not widely know like a mango or a Chinese pear. The atmosphere in the workshop was relaxed, calm and productive.  For participants this was an opportunity to express themselves through creating paintings bringing with it a calmer state of mind which resonated through the group.

Text by Sinead Hyman

October the 27th, Workshop in Sydenham Court

Photographs by Michael Hogg


The clay workshop.
People have the urge to make things and clay was the perfect medium for this. Firstly participants held the clay, squeezing it and pulling bits off. Through play, facilitators encouraged the participants to talk about the feeling and texture.

After, the tenants set out to produce figures of about 10cm in height. A couple of the participants decided that they would make each individual body parts and then construct the figure as a whole. The figures took on different forms, the easiest way to describe them is to say some were similar to morph (1970’s cartoon character), some like snow men and others formed from one continuous piece of clay. A couple of the participants had decided to produce their own works such as rabbits and pigs which gave great enjoyment to the creator and the group.

The workshop was slow to take off but once a couple of figures had been produced the workshop became busy and creative. After the figures were produced, participants would place them in the middle of the table. The figures formed a group and I think it was at this point the figures took on their own  personality.  

text by Sinead Hyndman

0ctober the 20th, Tour of the River Lagan, The Lagan Boat Company.

Photographs taken by Paula Campbell.

October the 13th, Workshop in Sydenham Court

Photographs taken by Paula Campbell.

October the 6th, Workshop in Sydenham Court working with coloured squares.