The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Escort Shane unmasks a major issue
HE may have been preparing for a hectic week to end all hectic weeks, but 2015 Rose Escort of the Year Shane Kenny showed just how close Unmask for Pieta is to his heart by taking time out of his preparation for the 2016 Festival to talk about the campaign with The Kerryman.
The Churchill man, who’ll be an escort to two Roses this year, found inspiration from reading a National Geographic article a year and a half ago, and he’s used his fascinating concept to spread an important message and raise funds for Pieta House.
“The article discussed how some US soldiers were coming back from the war in Iraq with issues like post-traumatic stress disorder, and how some had benefitted from art therapy classes.”
“Some of this would have involved expressing what they were feeling through making masks. Everyone faces difficult times, and not everyone might be comfortable talking about how they feel, so this is an alternative way of expressing yourself.”
“I contacted a host of last year’s escorts and roses, pitching this idea to them, and I got a very positive response. Roses and escorts from all over the world have been sending me their own masks interpreting what’s felt during difficult times,” said Shane.
“So with the backing of The Rose of Tralee International Festival, we’ve decided to exhibit them at The Rose Hotel over the course of the Festival week.”
Cora O’Brien, centre manager for Pieta House in Tralee, has praised Shane’s idea, and highlights the benefits that can be reaped from art therapy.
“We have a host of therapies at Pieta House that have been found to be very helpful, and art therapy is one of them.”
“Some people need to talk, but find it difficult to do so, but they might be able to express their feelings in other ways. Creating art based on their emotions can be a great way of releasing them.”
“Shane’s idea ties in nicely with some things that we’re doing at our centre, so it’s lovely to be involved with such a fantastic idea,” Cora told The Kerryman.
The Unmask For Pieta exhibition takes place at The Rose Hotel and is open to the public from today (Wednesday) until Tuesday, August 23.
The exhibition itself is free, but donations can be made to the campaign’s everydayhero page at https://give.everydayhero.com/ie/ unmask-for-pieta.
Further information can be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/unmaskforpieta/, or through the Twitter handle @unmaskforpieta.
Pieta House is a centre for the prevention of self-harm and suicide, and their Tralee centre is located at 28 Moyderwell, Tralee. They can be contacted at (066) 716 3660.