How art has given us our lives back
Being disabled is no barrier to creativity thanks to the charity Open Arts. Here, Stephanie Bell talks to three women who will be showcasing their work at Belfast’s Black Box during June
Being blind yet creating visual arts is just one of the many achievements made possible thanks to the work of the disability charity Open Arts.
And now as part of its 25th anniversary celebrations this year, the charity is giving everyone a chance to see the great work being produced at its art classes with a unique exhibition throughout the month in the Black Box, Belfast.
Embroidery, watercolour and action painting are just some of the techniques which will be showcased in the Three in One exhibition, featuring artwork created by people attending three weekly visual arts groups run by Open Arts.
Eileen Branagh, chief executive of Open Arts, says: “Our artists do not let their disabilities hold them back and this exhibition demonstrates that, given the right support and encouragement, there are no limits to their creativity.”
Based at the Crescent Arts Centre, Open Arts runs a core programme of high quality drama, dance, music, writing and visual arts activity for hundreds of disabled adults from across Northern Ireland.
Three in One is currently running in Belfast as part of Late Night Art until Saturday, July 1 and entrance is free
We caught up with three artists whose work will be featured in the exhibition to find out what it has meant to them to take part in the Open Arts art courses.
❝Given the right support and encouragement there are no limits to the creativity of our group
the house. I also had to learn to read Braille.
While it was emotionally difficult you learn to cope and just get on with it.
Now I keep busy, playing blind tennis at Windsor Tennis Club, taking part in the Open Arts choir, the Luminous Soul dance group and attending art classes.
My guide dog Tara and I also do a bit of work with Guide Dogs for the Blind here.
I’m a qualified complimentary therapist and am currently trying to get a job — but that is proving quite hard.
Joining Open Arts was an opportunity to meet new people and do things that I loved to do before, but had stopped doing, because I had lost my sight.
I had just stopped everything and it was great to be singing again, dancing and doing art.
You really have to be positive and I feel lucky that I have lots of friends.
I love going to shows, gigs, shopping and travelling.
The art class is great as it is very tactile.
For the exhibition we worked on a canvas, twisting, plaiting and turning different fabrics together. The end result is a very bright and abstract piece of work.
It is nice to have our work on display and show others what we can do. It will be a brilliant experience to be part of the exhibition and a great opportunity for all of us.”
❝ It will be a brilliant experience to be part of the exhibition and a great opportunity for all of us