Funding boost for underpass art as Dromore in Action secure £43,000

Dromore in Action has received £43,000 of funding to brighten up the underpass in Dromore Town Park.
By The Newsroom
Published 20th Jun 2015, 08:39 BST
Residents at Mountvale Private Nursing Care Home were pleased with their work. photo: drewmcwilliams.comResidents at Mountvale Private Nursing Care Home were pleased with their work. photo: drewmcwilliams.com
Residents at Mountvale Private Nursing Care Home were pleased with their work. photo: drewmcwilliams.com

The money has been secured from the Arts Council Northern Ireland’s Building Peace Through the Arts Programme Stage 2 for the design, fabrication and installation of an art piece to be placed on the wall of the underpass.

The theme, decided on through consultation with local school and the community, is ‘Taking Stock,’ linking in with the famous Stocks in Dromore’s town square.

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The art piece will include children’s drawings, a ceramic tile mosaic, old photographs, maps and text to illustrate the shared heritage of Dromore and link the past to the present and in to the future.

Pre-school children at the Old Station Nursery concentrate on their project. photo: drewmcwilliams.comPre-school children at the Old Station Nursery concentrate on their project. photo: drewmcwilliams.com
Pre-school children at the Old Station Nursery concentrate on their project. photo: drewmcwilliams.com

Art workshops have been ongoing for several weeks with St Colman’s PS, Dromore Central PS, Od Station Nursery, Mountview Nursing Home Dromore in Action and Via Wings.

The Artist Eleanor Wheeler will draw ideas and inspiration for the final art piece from these workshops.

“I have really enjoyed the workshops with the schools and community,” she said. “They have put their hearts in to the project and the ideas for the final piece are fabulous.

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“I want to thank Thomas Smyth from Dromore in Action and Drew McWilliams, local photographer for working with me on this exciting project.”

Pupils at St Colman's PS, Dromore, watch as Eleanor demonstrates the process. photo: drewmcwilliams.comPupils at St Colman's PS, Dromore, watch as Eleanor demonstrates the process. photo: drewmcwilliams.com
Pupils at St Colman's PS, Dromore, watch as Eleanor demonstrates the process. photo: drewmcwilliams.com

Jackie Brush from Dromore in Action said: “It is a great opportunity to bring the community together to leave a lasting legacy for the future.”

Alderman Paul Rankin added: “I would commend Dromore In Action and all who have contributed to progressing this Arts project.

“I know a lot of hard work has gone on behind the scenes to get us to where we are.

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“I was delighted to meet with Thomas Smyth (DIA) and with the project Artist Eleanor Wheeler in Dromore Park in recent weeks for an update on the project and I am glad things are moving in the right direction.”

Dromore Community Police Liaison Committee’s AGM will take place on Wednesday 17th June at 7.30pm in Dromore Town Hall.

This project is part-financed by the European Union’s Programme for Peace and Reconciliation (PEACE III) managed by the Special EU Programmes Body; the Arts Council of Northern Ireland; and the International Fund for Ireland.