This article is from page 36 of the 2007-04-24 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 36 JPG
AN exhibition featuring some of the finest art to grace the walls of the newly reopened Courthouse Gallery in Ennistymon was launched last Fri- day by Gerry Kennedy, Department of Social and Family Affairs.
The FETAC exhibition is the cul- mination of more than two years of work and creativity by a group of lo- or NM eynetsee
The women, all of whom were new to art, worked in a number of medi- ums including oil paintings, stone art and recycled art mosaics.
The were all taking part in the Clare VEC’s Back to Education initiative and have now earned certificates in a number of FETAC courses.
“I had finished education after pri-
mary school and these courses were brilliant for me. The social side was great and it gave me a real independ- ence,’ said Margaret Donovan, who will be exhibiting a number of paint- ings and mosaics and 1s now working in childcare.
“It has been great for my daughters as well. I can now help them with their homework. There was so much support all the way through. There was never a dull moment.”
The programme is supported by the Department of Family and So- cial Affairs, the Ennistymon Fam- ily Resource Centre, Josephine Dav- enport of the Clare Adult Learning Guidance Service, Mike Ryan of the Back to Education Initiative and was tutored by Mary Fitzgerald of the se uDe
In the last two years, the women taking part on the programme have completed eight courses, including communications, computer studies, personal effectiveness, maths and tan
‘They have been so involved in this over the last two years, it’s the cul- mination of so much work for them,” said Katie Lewis of the Adult and Community Education Service of Clare VEC.
“They are proud of what they have achieved but a little bit shy as well. They are all mothers, and they re- quested an Irish course be put in place to help them feel more able to Ted OM M eters me OUOCOOnoIIMM, Aine UENO (ooDmmOCe)oNtor 08S
“There was a great social aspect to the programme as well. They
enjoyed meeting up with the other people. The environment in the En- nistymon VEC was very welcoming, some of the girls might have been a bit nervous at first but they made us feel right at home.
‘Now that they have their FETAC, they are in a good position to con- tinue with their education or to enter into the workforce.”
This exhibition will be open to the public from April 23 to 28 during daytime hours.