A range of creative, community art work and sculpture at Mosside village, Moyle was unveiled (28 November), as Peter Robinson, MLA, Roisín McDonough, Chief Executive of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and other funders celebrated Mosside Development Group’s Regeneration Project.
Much of the art work at Rockfield Park and Mosside Community Garden was developed through artist Ross Wilson working with young people from the area, while local residents’ groups and others, such as the Women’s Institute, football and young famers clubs were involved in consultations on the project.
Speaking at the celebration, Roisín McDonough, Chief Executive of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and Chair of the Shared Communities Consortium, said, “Art has a key role to play in promoting community cohesion and regeneration, by building confidence and skills, helping people to live and work together. This project enabled a wide range of people, from a variety of backgrounds, to not only work and meet together, but also to become involved and enjoy the arts.
The artist Ross Wilson’s involvement, helped to promote the significance of art, putting it at the heart of the community. I am pleased that all the newly developed spaces have provided an opportunity for the Re-Imaging Communities Programme to support the vision of local people, as they take steps to provide a more welcoming environment and give all the participants something to feel proud of.”
The community wanted to see an old mural replaced and communal space regenerated for use by everyone. £59,000, part of the Arts Council’s £3 million Re-imaging Communities Programme (on behalf of the Shared Communities Consortium), was awarded to the Mosside Development Group for the ‘Mosside Regeneration Project’, this launch represents the first phase of the re-imaging project.
Describing the work, Ross Wilson, artist and sculptor, said, ”This was an opportunity for people to be part of a plural voice, representing many views within the community, visualizing their thoughts and ideas around cultural identity and place. The work included elements such as the mystery of the rural environment and animals associated with their village, past emigration and local heroes. This project has helped the young people participate creatively and see themselves in a new way.
Arthur Ward, Mosside Community Association added, “The re-imaging project has given all ages of the community an opportunity to contribute creatively to the identity of their village through art. What has been created by the programme locally is more than just and external image or sculpture, the real and lasting benefit to those who were involved is the discoveryof a past and a new cultural awareness for the future.