In association with the Collective Sensory Group and Bluebird Care
Thursday 4 th November – Saturday 4 th December
At D’lush Café – Wexford Arts Centre
Wexford Arts Centre in association with the Collective Sensory Group and Bluebird Care are delighted to present Mad Hatter Times an exhibition of children’s artwork from 4 th November – 4 th December at D’lush Café, Wexford Arts Centre. The Collective Sensory Group and Bluebird have 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.
These workshops 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. The Collective Sensory Group were very excited to welcome back Tina Fortune as workshop facilitator to their day service
to carry out therapeutic art group workshops with young adults at the Collective Sensory Group. As a response to the Covid 19 Pandemic these young adults have prepared a beautiful and colourful exhibition through mixed media of what the past 18 months have been like for them and what has got them through these uncertain times. These young adults have described the past 18 months as ‘Mad’ and would like to welcome you to their ‘Mad Hatter Times’
The art workshops at the Collective Sensory Group gives each participant the opportunity to process issues that impact them daily, including social anxieties, sensory issues, communication differences and intellectual disabilities. Working with each young adult, artist Tina Fortune facilitated creative workshops giving one to one guidance, tuition, and attention to each participant. The activities also focused on processes and materials, allowing the young adults the freedom to choose
from array of materials and methods of application. The workshops were a phenomenal success as evidenced in the exhibition, with each participant’s work proudly on display at D’Lush Café.
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.
D’Lush Café is open from Tuesday – Saturday from 9am – 4pm. Due to the uncertainty surrounding the COVID19 pandemic there will not be an official opening reception for this exhibition, but we will closely monitor the situation throughout the exhibition.
For further information on the artists or the exhibition please contact Lisa Byrne, Visual Arts Manager, Wexford Arts Centre, Cornmarket, Wexford on +353 (0)53 9123764 or email lisa@wexfordartscentre.ie.
