Art portraits promote community connections
By Maurice Garvey
A COLLABORATION which saw art students create portraits of Ballyfermot residents, is another benefit of the 70th birthday celebrations in the area.
The event in Ballyfermot Library was organised by Ballyfermot College of Further Education and Ballyfermot/Chapelizod Partnership.
Louise Boughton, Course Co-Ordinator, Higher National Diploma in Illustration at BCFE said the idea promotes positive community connections.
“Being a local, I have heard a lot of the colourful stories about characters and events connected to the area over the years, but probably more than that, the strong sense of community, friendship and loyalty amongst the residents. It seemed that one of the best ways to commemorate this, was in a creative manner.”
BCFE linked in with Declan Markey and Christine Murray from the Partnership about ideas for the event, and they settled on a collaboration with participants from a local Communiversity group – which offers adults the chance to do a free university course in libraries.
BCFE Illustration students were tasked with developing portraits of the group – participants on both sides got to know each other throughout the day.
Louise continued: “The highlight of the day was definitely the connection and exchange of conversation between both sets of students. One particularly lovely part, was when everyone sat and listened while each Ballyfermot resident told one story from their life.”
“The result of this collaboration will be a final, framed portrait and an illustrated book of memories for each Ballyfermot resident based on the wonderful stories heard throughout the day. The work will be exhibited in the library in May.”
