A link to the community
Image 1 of 7
Anne Burns, Veronica Vetts, Ger McCarthy, Liz Madden and Joanne LawsonImage 2 of 7
Tony Holton and Cllr Brian McCarthy.Image 3 of 7
Deputy Mayor of the County of Cork Cllr John Healy and former lord mayor of Cork Jim Corr.Image 4 of 7
Louise Tangney and Anna Marie Whelan.Image 5 of 7
Marion Britton, Cobh Animation Team.Image 6 of 7
Ray Lonergan and Regina Bachinska.Image 7 of 7
Ciara Parry and James O’Riordan.An organisation celebrating 30 years of bringing art to the people of Cork a unique and inclusive way has been honoured.
The Lord Mayor of Cork Councillor Kieran McCarthy hosted a civic reception recently to celebrate 30 years of Cork Community Art Link.
The Lord Mayor and Chief Executive of Cork City Council Ann Doherty were joined by staff, volunteers, friends and supporters of Art Link at the reception.
Lord Mayor of Cork Councillor Kieran McCarthy said: “What started as a FAS Community Employment Scheme back in 1993 has evolved and developed over 30 years to become one of the most successful and admired community arts organisations in the country.”
Since its establishment, Art Link has worked with thousands of people, and hundreds of communities, voluntary and statutory agencies in partnership across Cork city.
The Lord Mayor added: “The range of projects Art Link is involved in is immense. But I do think The Dragon of Shandon warrants a special mention. The parade, a celebration of Samhain (Halloween) is now well established as Cork’s own. Each year thousands take to the streets of Shandon to walk with the dragon - a 36-foot dragon made by the hands of the Cork City community.”
Chief Executive of Cork City Council, Ann Doherty added her own appreciation for the trojan work of everyone involved with Art Link. “Cork City Council has enjoyed a long and supportive relationship with Cork Community Art Link who deliver vital, community arts work across the city. Art Link has demonstrated a particularly strong record in working with and in celebrating the creativity of communities and groups that experience inequality as well as being at the forefront of arts health engagement.
“An example of this, delivered in partnership with our own Culture and Creativity team is the ‘Rebel Streets’ street arts programme, which included a collaboration with Cork Traveller Visibility Group to create a highly visible mural on Traveller Cultural,” she said.