We are delighted to announce four new artists who will be working with us our Being & Belonging project, which is a pilot cross-border early years project, taking place in four locations north and south of the border.

The participating artists and parent & toddler groups are:

Naomi Draper

Naomi is a multidisciplinary artist who is currently based in Boyle, Co. Roscommon. Alongside an established studio practice in sculpture and glass, Naomi often works in an educational and community context. Naomi is interested in creating work which responds to specific sites. Through her work she examines issues of protection and containment looking at the spaces we create around ourselves and the relationship we have to them.

Naomi will be working with Castlefinn Parent & Toddler Group in Donegal.

Maree Hensey

Maree Hensey is a visual artist. Her practice encompasses drawing, sculpture and participatory art. She works in many ways as an object maker, enquirer, researcher, collator, provocateur and mentor. At the heart of her work is the engagement and participation of community. As a primary source of information and guidance, she relies on evolving relationships over time, developing subtle collaborations to arrive at work that not only tells a story but also characterizes the community that recounts that story. She has successfully completed a number of Public Art Commissions, Site Specific Installations and Private Commissions. Her artworks are represented in public and private collections in Ireland, Britain, Canada Australia, France, Denmark and the USA

Maree will be working with Kesh Parent & Toddler Group in Cavan.

Helen Sharp

I am an artist living in rural County Fermanagh though my work takes me to many places, in many counties and indeed countries. I hold a Ba hons (first class) in sculpture from Edinburgh College of Art, a Masters (with distinction) from Dartington College of Arts and a PhD from the University of Ulster. I recently curated an exhibition for the British Council focused on my passion; nature and man’s relationship with landscape and animals. The 32-artist exhibition included work by Grayson Perry, Tracey Emin and Henry Moore. I have worked in community arts for the past 12 years with all age groups and abilities, employed by a number of local councils and specialising in interface areas and border regions. I am a great believer in the power of a cup of tea and a chat as one of the most creative endeavours for any project.

Helen will be working with Derrylin Parent & Toddler Group in Fermanagh

Kate Wilson

Kate will be working with Belleek Parent & Toddler Group in Fermanagh

More information to follow…

All the artists will be documenting the process online on Practice.ie…

This project is funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs Reconciliation Fund