Through My Senses
In association with the Collective Sensory Group and Bluebird Care
Friday 22nd September – Wednesday 11th October 2017
D’lush Cafe – Wexford Arts Centre
Opening Reception
You are warmly invited to the opening reception on Thursday 21st September at 6.30pm, with guest speakers Shona King from The Collective Sensory Group and Michael Corcoran from Bluebird Care.
Wexford Arts Centre in association with the Collective Sensory Group and Bluebird Care are delighted to present Through my Senses, an exhibition of children’s artwork from 22nd September to 11th October at D’lush Cafeé, Wexford Arts Centre.
The Collective Sensory Group, Bluebird Care and Wexford Art Centre combined their expertise to provide art workshops for young people with additional needs, who may otherwise not have the opportunity to experience the positive and encouraging impact of art. This workshop also sought to promote inclusion and awareness within our community, proving that behind every disability there is a huge amount of talent and ability that comes in many different forms.
Collectively, we decided to take a sensory approach to the workshops. This process gave each participant the opportunity to work on issues that impact them on a daily basis; including social anxieties, sensory issues, communication differences and intellectual disabilities. Within the group, each child had personal goals that artist Tina Fortune worked on helping them to achieve. The workshops gave one to one guidance, tuition and attention to each participant. The activities also focused on processes and materials, allowing the children the freedom to choose from array of materials and methods of application. The workshops were a phenomenal success as evidenced in the exhibition, with all our participants achieving above and beyond any goals and aspirations that were set in the beginning.
Tina Fortune is an artist living and working in Wexford. Working mainly in acrylics, her practice includes drawings, paintings and murals. Her practice is strengthened by her four children; one who is on the Autism spectrum. Tina works extensively with children with special-needs and has created inspiring work on sensory rooms for children at the Collective Sensory Group and St. John of God National School. She has also worked with the Presentation Secondary School, Wexford, on multiple commissions, and has been involved in various exhibitions of her own work.
The Collective Sensory Group is a non-profit, voluntary led group based in Wexford town providing Occupational Therapy, and Speech and Language Therapy to their clients. The group also provides recreational activities and workshops on a regular basis for young people, while also supporting and working with parents. Renowned for their community integration work, high standards of care, and positive clinical feedback, they are a non-funded organisation and rely solely on fundraising and donations so they can continue to subsidise their services.
Bluebird Care, which provides care and support in the home and community, seeks to meet the physical, intellectual and emotional needs of their clients and families while providing supportive and practical services in a dedicated, highly professional and dignified manner. Known for forging personal connections with their customers, Bluebird provides their services in a positive atmosphere, with their approach, drawing on a support plan, identifying the goals and aspirations of the individual.
Through my Senses will run in D’Lush Cafe, Wexford Arts Centre from Thursday 6th October to Saturday 12th November 2016. Opening hours are Monday to Saturday, from 10am-5pm. For further information on the artists or the exhibition please contact Catherine Bowe, Visual Arts Manager, Wexford Arts Centre, Cornmarket, Wexford on +353 (0)53 9123764 or email catherine@wexfordartscentre.ie
