About the Project
Gwen was Community Artist-In-Residence in the Shankill & Wakehurst area of Lurgan, Co. Armagh in Northern Ireland during the Spring/Summer of 2010. Working with the Shankill and Wakehurst Community Action Group, Gwen used the creative arts to help break down intergenerational barriers that had divided the people of the 700-house estate and address conflict legacy issues.
This intergenerational community arts project was funded by Craigavon Borough Council and supported by the PEACE III Southern Partnership for the Special EU Programmes Body.
A Neighbourhood Renewal area, Shankill Street divides Shankill from Wakehurst and the area had a legacy from the Troubles as an interface area notorious for rioting and violence. Senior residents felt intimidated by gangs of youths who they perceived were threatening them with anti-social behaviour caused by drug and alcohol consumption. Consequently, many seniors were isolated in their homes and living in fear within their own communities.
Gwen worked with Shankill & Wakehurst Community Action Group to deliver a programme of community arts activities to bring the community together through sharing local stories and folklore. The Older People told the stories of the area and the younger generations interpreted them creatively through dance, photography and drama.
They delivered the following events and workshops in six months:
- Seniors Reminiscence Workshops
- Seniors Garden Party
- Seniors Ceili
- Teenagers’ Photography Workshops
- Teenagers’ Film Making
- Teenagers’ Dance Workshops
- Drug and Alcohol Awareness Programme
- Children’s Drama Workshops
- Community Fun Day at which the creative arts were performed through dance and drama.
- Sports’ Day
- Teddy Bears’ Picnic.
Gwen then created a DVD entitled ‘Shankill & Wakehurst, Past, Present, Future’ that captured the project and this DVD was distributed to each household in the estate and all participants.
PROJECT FUNDERS & PARTNERS
