Screening of Writing Home in association with Waterford City Arts Office
Waterford City Arts Office is delighted to present a free screening of ‘Writing Home’, on Thursday March 16th at 6.30pm in The Waterford Gallery of Art.
The documentary about creative engagement was developed by poet Colm Keegan for homeless service users. The initiative was developed to improve understanding around issues of homelessness while supporting social integration and aims to inform policy decisions around the use of the arts within state funded services.
Colm worked with several service providers across the country, developing and delivering a programme of workshops to engage with homeless service users in Dublin, Kilkenny and Waterford with each location working towards a public celebration of the creativity of participants.
Colm worked with selected groups over a period of six weeks. These groups explored multiple means of written self-expression and reflection, like rap and spoken word as well as looking at structure, character and storytelling. Each participant created a small body of work, based on their own life experiences.
The process was far more successful than envisaged, with real engagement from homeless service users, a marginalised group who can be difficult to reach using established Arts project delivery. The creative potential unleashed and the wellbeing outcomes were such a revelation that the initiative was awarded Best Education/Training Initiative at the All Ireland Community & Council Awards (LAMAs).
The programme was supported by Kilkenny County Council, Creative Ireland and Poetry Ireland. Tickets are free but booking is advised as there is limited space. To book visit https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/writing-home-screening-in-the-waterford-gallery-of-art-tickets-576968998807
For further information about the project visit www.colmkeeganpoetry.com
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