During Covid 19 Clare Arts Office is participating in the Keep Well Initiative led by Clare County Council. The Arts Office role is primarily in the Switching Off section encouraging people to step back and take a breather from the difficult situation they find themselves in. The Arts Office has a number of initiatives in this regard:
- Updating the events and resources section on the Keep Well Section of Clare County Council’s website
- Providing guidance to artists through national support schemes and the production of our Cúram booklet for artists working on our Embrace Arts and Disability Scheme and our Artist in Schools Scheme.
- Instigation of the Cúram Arts Initiative featuring six projects aimed at creative wellbeing.
The Book of Hope by Ana Colomer
The concept of ‘The Book of Hope’ is about older people reconnecting with their inner child, to revisit memories and pass them on as something precious and magical. It is also for the children that have not been able to be in touch with their grandparents and would be gifted this amazing book of stories that will bring memories of the loved ones and to enjoy the pleasure of reading, switching off digital content and opening their imagination through written word and accompanying visuals.
Move with Ease into Creativity with Clare Women’s Network
Run by Jenny Bassett, workshops included breathe work, creative visualisation and guided meditations with the aim of enabling participants to let go of worries, reconnect with themselves and to lay a foundation to engage creatively with others through Dancing the Rainbow ( DTR) exercises in the second part of the workshop.
Lean ar Aghaidh le Rachel Ní Fhaoláin
Traditional singer, researcher and educator Rachel Uí Fhaoláin is delivering an important ‘Fan Ceangailte’ (Stay Connected) online programme that engaged and connected the elder members in the community/Clare active retirement groups with children/families in the community remotely through the Zoom platform.
This work culminated in Lean ar Aghaidh, an online Zoom sharing session across generations on June 13th, 2021.
Shining Path by Tim Humphries
A light installation initiative took place at the 12 O’Clock Hills, Co. Clare on the Spring Equinox weekend of 19th, 20th & 21st March 2021. This project lit up a section of the 12 O ’Clock Hill path with LED lights of multiple colours (Red , White, Blue, Green,) undulating along the hiking trail between the 12 O’Clock hills, Lower and Main summits, in East Clare. This project was recorded with photos and drone footage.
